Honda Car Forum

This car has failed NJ emission testing. I took it to my
regular mechanic and he said he saw a bit of smoke when the
car first started, but nothing much. He doesn't have a
state reinspection license so he sent me elsewhere. Elsewhere
told me the same thing. A bit of smoke at start up, none
revving. And it passed the 3 second rule. i.e. it did not
last 3 seconds. I don't know if this is an "official" rule.
He said he didn't see anything really wrong, but it is his
brother that has the reinspection license, and he is off
this week.

I got restless. I took it to another place. Their assessment:
$350 + tax. Have to take off the valve cover and replace the
PCV valve. This didn't ring true to me, so I declined. They
then proceeded to charge me for 1 hour of diagnosis: $85 + tax.
I feel ripped off just for that.

I've since begun calling certified reinspection sites, and
asking them what they would charge to diagnose it. A half
hour of diagnosis is common. About $45. Not $90.

Tonight I pulled out my Haynes Repair Manual when I looked
at the engine and could not find the PCV valve. Aha! Tucked
down below. I read about its function and replacement. A
few hoses, squeeze one to hear the ball function, replace
if not functioning. It also takes air from the air filter.
It sure sounds like this should have been looked at and tried
first. No mention of needing to take the valve cover off to
do this!

One more fact: In NJ you can be required to spend up to $400
to remedy emission failure. Hmmm. $350 + tax = just under $400.

I'm leaning toward getting a new air filter and PCV valve,
the hoses if necessary, and trying to get through inspection
again. Think that will do it?

And what is the consensus here:

Was I ripped off for a full hour of diagnosis?

Would I have been ripped off with a $350 valve cover removal
and PCV valve extortion, I mean, replacement?

Thanks!

"John" <jhy001@earthlink.net> wrote in message
news:4C745A42.6070106@earthlink.net...
> This car has failed NJ emission testing. I took it to my
> regular mechanic and he said he saw a bit of smoke when the
> car first started, but nothing much. He doesn't have a
> state reinspection license so he sent me elsewhere. Elsewhere
> told me the same thing. A bit of smoke at start up, none
> revving. And it passed the 3 second rule. i.e. it did not
> last 3 seconds. I don't know if this is an "official" rule.
> He said he didn't see anything really wrong, but it is his
> brother that has the reinspection license, and he is off
> this week.
>
> I got restless. I took it to another place. Their assessment:
> $350 + tax. Have to take off the valve cover and replace the
> PCV valve. This didn't ring true to me, so I declined. They
> then proceeded to charge me for 1 hour of diagnosis: $85 + tax.
> I feel ripped off just for that.
>
> I've since begun calling certified reinspection sites, and
> asking them what they would charge to diagnose it. A half
> hour of diagnosis is common. About $45. Not $90.
>
> Tonight I pulled out my Haynes Repair Manual when I looked
> at the engine and could not find the PCV valve. Aha! Tucked
> down below. I read about its function and replacement. A
> few hoses, squeeze one to hear the ball function, replace
> if not functioning. It also takes air from the air filter.
> It sure sounds like this should have been looked at and tried
> first. No mention of needing to take the valve cover off to
> do this!
>
> One more fact: In NJ you can be required to spend up to $400
> to remedy emission failure. Hmmm. $350 + tax = just under $400.
>
> I'm leaning toward getting a new air filter and PCV valve,
> the hoses if necessary, and trying to get through inspection
> again. Think that will do it?
>
> And what is the consensus here:
>
> Was I ripped off for a full hour of diagnosis?
>
> Would I have been ripped off with a $350 valve cover removal
> and PCV valve extortion, I mean, replacement?
>
> Thanks!

On this side of the pond it is quite common to have an oil change carried
out immediately before an emission test is due, if the engine is a bit iffy,
and it apparently makes a substantial improvement in the result.
--
Tinkerer