Emissions testing

[White Stripe]

So my 94 land cruiser passed emissions with flying colors. I am not real familiar with emissions testing 81 to 95 years. At work I was so busy my manager had a guy take my land cruiser for me to the place and so I didn't observe it being tested. Since its not obd2, do they open the hood and check for all the proper emissions equipment? Do they crawl under it and check for a cat? I'm pretty sure they test the gas cap, I read that I think in state regs. Just wondering what you guys have observed. This is my first vehicle in that 81 to 95 range since I moved back to Denver. So this is new to me.

[Jim]

I don't think they open the hood or connect anything to the ODB1 connector (trying to remember)...

My 90 was carb'd but was converted to MPFI. I went once or twice and they passed me. The second or third time they failed me as they did some visual for emissions equipment and said "it wasn't there". My reply was you're correct - it has no carburetor - it's MPFI. A lightbulb lit and they said - oh, you need to have your vehicle re-evaluated. Go to the front office.

I made an appointment for a re-evaluation of the vehicle. On that visit it was pulled into a garage bay and they went over it in detail - checking that it had all of the needed items. The eval came back with a paper stating I'm now a 1994 year for their purposes. I have to supply, at each emissions test, this paper stating to check it to 94 standards. I still think it's hood-closed testing. Uncertain if they "underside mirror" for a cat.

[Spieg]

I think it's general practice to open the hood and look around. Mainly they'll look for EGR, Smog Pump, Catalytic Converter(s), O2 Sensor(s), or any obviously disconnected wiring/vacuum lines/etc... They will also check the gas cap to make sure it seals, but for my Jeep, they are not able to test the cap (they don't have a coupling to fit it, so it gets an automatic pass)

[White Stripe]

In the state regulations I read, it didn't mention anything about a visual check. The regulations also say that if a pre 96 has a check engine light, it doesn't fail as long as it passes the sniffer. The employee that took my rig to get tested said they didn't open the hood and look at emissions equipment. Seems like Denver has been changing their emissions testing a lot the last few years.

[ExplorerTom]

Probably did the sniffer test while on the dyno rollers.

[xaza]

They have always opened the hood and checked my truck for proper emission parts. One time the guy told me it was missing some things. I had to explain to him that was 96 and up, he checked the year on mine and went to the book to find I was right. The drive by emission stations are the way to go, saves from dealing with taking it in and paying. When it gets within 6 months of time to renew plates I watch for the locations and make it a point to get the Jeep by them and again a couple months before. Here is where you can find out where they will be.
http://aircarecolorado.com/index.php/rapidscreen/truck-locations/

[Spieg]

Seems like Denver has been changing their emissions testing a lot the last few years.

There have been a lot of rule changes but I think mostly affecting OBD2 equipped vehicles. What actually happens at the testing bay is largely dependent on the technician doing the test (their mood at the time, level of training/experience, etc...).