I failed emissions and told I have an ILLEGAL engine

[plik]

I have a 1984 Chevy Suburban. It stared off in life as a 6.2 diesel, but now has a 5.7 (gas) TBI. The engine switch was done by the man I bought it from, so I don't know where the engine came from.

Emissions inspection: failed, told I need an air pump.

I've owned this suburban for five years and passed emissions every year. I've never been told I need an air pump until now.

According to their book, a 1984 engine 5.7 is supposed to have an air pump. The engine I have now is newer -- TBI was introduced in 1989. They wouldn't accept my logic, but I could get an exception waiver from the main office in Phoenix. I head down and try to explain that my engine doesn't need an air pump since the engine is newer, has TBI, and the cats are brand new. The man looks at and says, "It looks like a light duty engine. The EPA does not allow you to have a light duty engine in a heavy duty truck."

Emissions inspection: failed, and told I must replace the engine.

Now I don't know what to do. :-(

[Irish_Alley]

whats light duty about it? my 91 v3500 crew cab had a tbi 350. granted it had a cat but only since it was a cali truck.

[plik]

whats light duty about it? my 91 v3500 crew cab had a tbi 350. granted it had a cat but only since it was a cali truck.

I asked him about that, but he couldn't tell me specifics. That was the most frustrating thing -- nothing helpful, no useful information, and complete lack of compassion.

Anyway, he said heavy duty engines don't use oxygen sensors (which mine has). However, the ECM on it is from a universal ECM kit for TBI (both light duty and heavy duty engines). Since it has a wire for an oxygen sensor, one was put on -- it's custom fitted to the exhaust pipe. I mean, I had the shop (that installed my new cats) weld an O2 sensor bolt on the pipe because I thought it needed an O2 sensor (because there's a wire for it on the ECM wiring harness).

I also tried to explain all that, but he said I have to prove it is a heavy duty engine. :-(

[zieg85]

Thanks for sharing, I feel your pain.  I really want to retire to AZ but it sure won't be where there are emission testing.  Fact is it has passed before and being a TBI the emissions are much cleaner than it would have been if original.  I am would venture to say you just need to find the right person to present the facts to.  If the actual emissions pass for the levels allowed for said vehicle and it has the catalytic convertor present, that should over ride any visual inspection.

[Stewart G Griffin]

What's the gvwr on the truck?

How are they determining what's a "light duty" engine and a "heavy duty" engine?

May have to get a lawyer..........

[Irish_Alley]

i dont think that an O2 determines the duty of the truck. i would find info on our trucks from California from 87-95 (afaik 95 is the last year for the tbi)

[Irish_Alley]

but this is usually the complete opposite of what we face. most times they want stricter emissions

[roundhouse]

I'd go to  different inspection station

It's not up to you to prove you have a light duty engine

They need to provide a reason , in writing , why you didn't pass

Or you could slap on an air pump to pass

They didn't give you any static for it having been switched from diesel to gas ?

I know people who have built hot rod pickups and they got diesel ones that are exempt from the test so they could swap in whatever gas engine they wanted and never had to have it tested

I will never buy another vehicle that has to meet a smog inspection

Entirely too much trouble


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[plik]

but this is usually the complete opposite of what we face. most times they want stricter emissions

Right?!

I even asked him that, "So, a light duty engine can't go in a heavy duty truck, even if it produces less emissions? Why?" He had no answer, other than that's what the EPA says.

I keep thinking, "We're from the government, we're here to help."

[plik]

How are they determining what's a "light duty" engine and a "heavy duty" engine?

Two things:
- Indicators, like having an O2 sensor
- An inherent cruelty in the small man who inspects engines

[plik]

I'd go to  different inspection station

It's not up to you to prove you have a light duty engine

They need to provide a reason , in writing , why you didn't pass

Or you could slap on an air pump to pass

They didn't give you any static for it having been switched from diesel to gas ?

I know people who have built hot rod pickups and they got diesel ones that are exempt from the test so they could swap in whatever gas engine they wanted and never had to have it tested

I will never buy another vehicle that has to meet a smog inspection

Entirely too much trouble


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I can't just go to a different station, they're all networked together. And I've already exhausted all of my appeal options, so I can't speak to someone's manager, or anything like that. I mean, I already have.

He said it's fine if you go from gas to diesel or diesel to gas. You just can't go from light duty to heavy duty, or (as in my case) go from heavy duty to light duty.

I might still have a heavy duty engine, I just need to prove it. :-(

I'm trying to get to the engine cast numbers, but am having a lot of trouble seeing them.

[VileZambonie]

Can't you just get it tested somewhere else? This guy is just being difficult.

[plik]

Can't you just get it tested somewhere else? This guy is just being difficult.

Sadly, no. The testing centers share a central database.

[VileZambonie]

Yeah but is the database the issue or is it the goofball you dealt with?

[Stewart G Griffin]

A suburban is a heavy duty truck?   Says who?   Arizona?