Date:         Wed, 20 Nov 1996 09:13:05 -0800 (PST)
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@vanagon.com>
From:         "Christopher M. Smith" <csmith@sdsc.edu>
Subject:      Re: Where can I rent a CO meter in East Bay (CA)


> On Sun, 17 Nov 1996 16:55:11 -0600 Beth Young
> <young@sherlock.sims.berkeley.edu> writes:
> >I need the CO meter to properly set idle and timing on my Vanagon.
> >I've called all the usual rental places around Lafayette, CA but
> >no one I've talked rents them.
> >
> >Is anyone aware if somebody local rents these things, or am I doomed
> >to visit my friendly, knowledgabe, local VW mechanic? <wry grin>


Here's a idea for some CALIFORNIA VW clubs or the business inclined.

"The Get A Sniff Smog Shop"

Set up a garage with a few bays, with gas analyzers. The do-it-yourselfer
then either pays a fee to get a "quick" sniff (to asses where his/her car
is with respect to exhuast emission, or rents the bay (by the hour, day)
to "get a sniff" and make real-time adjustments to his/her vehicle. If you
really want to get elaborate, you can also have a certified SMOG
technician on hand to do the "real" inspection when the do-it-yourselfer
has finished fine-tuning his vehicle.

As for "operating" the gas analyzers, if you are competent enough to make
your own car repairs then surely you can operate a gas analyzer ...
"idiot" keys and all.

Any takers ?

Chris