Government is fixing an emissions problem that doesn’t exist

[madamesilverspurs]

At least, that's the argument being put forth by two state senators, Kevin Lundberg and Scott Renfroe (both R):

If your car was in good working order, would it make sense to have it fixed anyway?

The government is trying to fix something that isn’t broken by forcing costly and time-consuming vehicle emission tests on residents of Weld and Larimer counties. The program is taking money from Larimer and Weld families to fund government bureaucracies and a business monopoly.

If House Bill 1082 becomes law, the vehicle emission tests required for gasoline vehicles in Weld and Larimer counties will be suspended. What that means is no fees or tests as long as our air quality continues to meet or exceed the EPA standards.

more: http://www.greeleytribune.com/article/20110321/OPINION/703219961/1025&parentprofile=1025

Renfroe, you may recall, brought himself national notoriety for twisting Leviticus while equating gays with murderers in the course of a senate speech. He also doesn't like hearing Spanish spoken in a state with a Spanish name. Can't wait to hear what Biblical justification he comes up with for dirty air.

The Stupid, it still burns.


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[here_is_to_hope]

1. Emissions testing is a racket.

The guy might be a shithead but he is right on this issue. Emissions testing is a racket.

[Tesha]

2. Why do you say that? (NT)

[jdlh8894]

3. Why do I not have to get emmissions tests

On my 1982 & 1983? They probably put out more than the two I have that have to be tested. Now, this is Georgia mind you.

[DCKit]

4. I'll answer that with one example:

My old car failed emissions, so I had the catalytic converter replaced, along with some other emissions work.

When the car was retested, the resulting test was, point-for-point, the exact same as the previous test.

The test was rigged.

[Tesha]

5. Perhaps you didn't fix what was actually broken?

Swapping one working catalytic converter for another
working catalytic converter *SHOULDN'T* change the
readings.

Tesha

[DCKit]

6. I swapped about everything but the engine block.

Sorry if I gave the impression that I know nothing about cars.

[Tesha]

8. No, I didn't assume you know nothing about cars.

But it's easy enough nowadays to swap a lot of
stuff and still not get to the true root cause.

Tesha

[here_is_to_hope]

9. There are all types of scams

involving these privately run testing stations. Newer vehicles, from 1988 and on, tend to run very clean for the life of the vehicle. The tuning of these vehicles is state of the art these days, very few new vehicles pollute.
These stations have consumers on the hook though by fudging the numbers, selling services, it ripe for corruption as emissions aren't really tangible. Never mind the State collecting more fee's, by 'regulating' these private testing stations and the costs to you in paying for these tests.
I am for clean air but this is a waste of money.

[Tesha]

11. You need a mechanic you can trust.

I'm reasonably confident, over about twenty years
of experience and quite a half-dozen or so cars that
have all made it to very high mileages, that my
mechanic isn't lying to me.

Tesha

[taught_me_patience]

7. Emmissions laws really work to clean up air

The air quality in Los Angeles has improved dramtically over the last 50 years, due to tough emmissions standards.

[here_is_to_hope]

10. Yes and testing in LA area is needed.

But in other parts of the country, you do not have 9 gazillion vehicles on the roads in a valley like LA.
Our state tests only congested area's.
See my post above, why test a Prius?

[Tesha]

12. Because even a Prius can "run rich" through a mechanical defect.

In the best case, it merely ruins your fuel economy
and dirties the environment. In the worst case, the
overheated catalytic converter lights your garaged
car on fire, burns your house down in the middle of
the night, and kills you, your family, and the family dog.

But hey, vehicle maintenance is all a waste of money,
right?

Tesha

[here_is_to_hope]

13. You are talking with some one who

Does not own a vehicle with less than 250k on it. Two Volvo's and a Vanagon.
Maintenance is a must.
So putting words in my mouth won't convince me of anything.

It is great that you have some one you can trust to do work for you but most do not.
I do not trust any one to work on my vehicles, I do it, complete rebuilds to transmissions, etc.

Newer vehicles do not break much or have fuel injection issue's till well past 100k if they make it that far. Why test newer cars? For the money.
I did teh Google and did not find a case of a Prius running rich any where.
YMMV

When the state governments get control of anything, it usually gets worse. Like those costly inspections you pay for in the eastern states and Texas...
It should be that if you think its safe, its safe.
But hey, the nanny state works out well, don't it? Well enough to take money for useless tests, subjecting citizens to even more expenses. Not to mention being subject to the rip offs so common to these indep
Agree to disagree, especially since I do not live in Colorado and I am not subject to any type of testing here in Oregon.