Happy Vernal Equinox!

[Hey Vern!]

Happy Equinox to everyone!
I treated Vern to a new PA Inspection.

 

[CocoaJeff]

Hey, Chris... Happy Vernal Equinox to you, too! For us down here in Florida, that just means that hot weather and hurricane season are right around the corner...

 

[ricklack]

In a past life, I was a PA certified inspection mechanic. The grease does finally wear off your hands after time, and I can prove it. Back in the day, we didn't have rubber gloves to wear

 

[PoManNox]

A joyous occasion for all!

On the topic of mandatory yearly state inspections, with my fleet of 5 cars these days, it seems like I'm always batting that. My 2015 Versa just passed no problems, but the 2016 Malibu is due now and she's got the dreaded P0420 catalyst inefficiency code and the P305F dual battery code crap that comes/goes.

Living in the PR of NY, I can only order, or have installed a CARB compliant catalytic converter and they're in the $1600 range for this 2.5L. Can't pass inspection with the CEL on.

 

[RIT333]

There are some additives that you can add to your gas which "guarantees" that your car will pass the emissions inspection. Never used it, so use at your own discretion. Most auto parts stores carry it.

 

[PoManNox]

There are some additives that you can add to your gas which "guarantees" that your car will pass the emissions inspection. Never used it, so use at your own discretion. Most auto parts stores carry it.

I may try one of the cleaner products, or add some spacers to the downstream O2 sensor. Maybe both!

I can mail order a federal emissions CC for about $250 to family out of state and have them ship it to me and I install it myself, but who knows how long a cheap CC will keep the P0420 away. They can be hit/miss from what I've read and I'd rather now go through all of that to find out.

This vehicle isn't worth a ~$2K repair for just this. She runs perfectly and isn't all rotted out yet, but looks somewhat rough (deer hit busted up ALL the nose plastic) and the a/c condenser is about shot if the a/c isn't out already.

 

[Hey Vern!]

Hey, Chris... Happy Vernal Equinox to you, too! For us down here in Florida, that just means that hot weather and hurricane season are right around the corner...

Stay safe! I have several friends that live in Florida. Seems like a great place when it isn't hurricane season.

 

[Hey Vern!]

In a past life, I was a PA certified inspection mechanic. The grease does finally wear off your hands after time, and I can prove it. Back in the day, we didn't have rubber gloves to wear

My Dad and Pap were both mechanics. I worked at a Ford dealership for a bit in 1990. My dad joked that he needed a week in the hospital for the nurses to get the grease off his hands. To me, mechanics hands are a symbol of hard work. This pic is my dad in 1972, starting his own garage after 25 years at Maguire's Ford.

 

[Hey Vern!]

A joyous occasion for all!

On the topic of mandatory yearly state inspections, with my fleet of 5 cars these days, it seems like I'm always batting that. My 2015 Versa just passed no problems, but the 2016 Malibu is due now and she's got the dreaded P0420 catalyst inefficiency code and the P305F dual battery code crap that comes/goes.

Living in the PR of NY, I can only order, or have installed a CARB compliant catalytic converter and they're in the $1600 range for this 2.5L. Can't pass inspection with the CEL on.

My county is rural, so no emissions. My son's jeep has the P0420. Not even stoners like that code. I tried Cataclean and the cel stayed off for a few days.