Emissions test for car parked for more than a year.

We were recently gifted a 1994 grand caravan that has the 3.3L motor. In order for me to get plates, I have to have a safety and emissions inspection. I'm not too worried about the safety inspection, but the car had atleast one bad vac leak that I recently found and fixed. I've only run the car in my yard and driven mostly around the neighborhood so I've only been on the highway over 55mph once. And only for about 5min.

Oil has been changed, and throttle body cleaned. Supposedly, the plugs, wires, rotor, etc were changed about a year b4 it was parked.

I have ten days to get it inspected and was only given a slip of paper to show the cop if I get pulled. Short of driving the car for a few days, what do you suggest doing to give me a chance at passing emissions? I have a slight coolant leak, but no noticable oil or extra being burned at idle. I don't have a lot of extra money right now, but I could prob do plugs and wires if needed. I will inspect this weekend to personally see how old they look.

What say u GRM?

If you were in PA your car (pre-OBD II) would get a visual inspection of the emission equipment (essentially has to be there) IIRC the PA program is modeled after NC's but YMMV...

Since it's a pre-96, it almost looks like you'll just get a visual check (for a cat?), and nothing else?

http://www.ncdot.gov/dmv/vehicle/registration/inspection/

The website doesn't mention anything about a roller/tailpipe check for older vehicles.

Just visual for pre '96.

There are places you can go around Raleigh that will pass anything pre '96

Thanks for the info. I've been looking for the specifics but couldn't find them. I may go after work tomorrow.

Brett - pm me if you know of any places that are more lenient than others. I've got two that I used to use when I had a suspect vehicle.

Thanks again everyone.

shadetree30 wrote: If you were in PA your car (pre-OBD II) would get a visual inspection of the emission equipment (essentially has to be there) IIRC the PA program is modeled after NC's but YMMV...

Actually, not true. Pre-OBD2 cars get a sniffer in most counties in PA. I only say that because if NC is similar to PA....

As far as 'free' stuff you can do, slightly retard. The timing, run down the highway at 5000rpm for a few minutes to get things hot and clean. Put fresh gas in... What does an emissions test cost? Here they're $35 bucks so I usually do the above and give it a try before spending any money.

curtis73 wrote:

shadetree30 wrote: If you were in PA your car (pre-OBD II) would get a visual inspection of the emission equipment (essentially has to be there) IIRC the PA program is modeled after NC's but YMMV...

Actually, not true. Pre-OBD2 cars get a sniffer in most counties in PA. I only say that because if NC is similar to PA....

Only in the Philadelphia area and Pittsburgh area. Other areas (it goes by county) either get an OBD-II and gas cap check (counties over a certain vehicle registration number) or rural areas get a visual. The dyno/sniffer test IIRC was operating in those metro areas way before the OBD-II test was formulated. NC got the OBD-II/gas cap program before PA did.

For that matter NC may well require a gas cap vacuum check also but that's a realtively inexpensive item...that might be one thing you can purchase ahead of time.

You probably get a test and free retest if you fail.

If the car is running well: accelerates well, runs smoothly, no big smoke, you will probably be OK.

Go 4 it.

Rog

shadetree30 wrote:

curtis73 wrote:

shadetree30 wrote: If you were in PA your car (pre-OBD II) would get a visual inspection of the emission equipment (essentially has to be there) IIRC the PA program is modeled after NC's but YMMV...

Actually, not true. Pre-OBD2 cars get a sniffer in most counties in PA. I only say that because if NC is similar to PA....

Only in the Philadelphia area and Pittsburgh area. Other areas (it goes by county) either get an OBD-II and gas cap check (counties over a certain vehicle registration number) or rural areas get a visual.0

Ah... thanks for the clarification. I'm in the Pittsburgh area so that makes sense.

Dilute the old gas with 93.