Failed Texas state inspection for S/C?

[frownonfun]

So I've just come from being failed on my state inspection for having this bolt on Rotrex kit and I'm wondering is this right? Did I fall asleep and wake up in California? And the only real explanation I got for it failing was because "It didn't come that way." I was also told my air filter has to be fully enclosed in a box. WTF?! Are they serious? Since when did this start? Or did I just get an inspector who took the liberty of getting awfully subjective?

I was under the impression that there is a list of 20 things that you must meet to pass inspection and I don't think "make sure everything is OEM" is on there. I don't see anything about this in the Transportation Code either. Am I missing something?

[frownonfun]

Just spent another 25 minutes up at Midas waiting for this guy to show me where in the regs it says I can't modify my intake (which is his basic argument) and he can't find it in the book but still won't give me a sticker. He says changing the intake is altering your exhaust emissions system and that's illegal. Am I wrong for thinking your intake and emissions system are two entirely different things? I mean I know changing the intake could affect the emissions but without emissions testing (which we don't have) how could you ever know?

[frownonfun]

Oh i see, i take off from posting for a couple years and nobody knows me now lol.

[CTScott]

That does seem pretty bogus. Here in CT they don't do a visual, but simply do an emissions test. If you pass with them plugging into the OBD (and it showing that there are no faults and all of the monitors showing a ready state) then you are good to go. If any of that fails then they sniff the exhaust.

I would check the website for your DOT, where you should be able to find the regs.

[BEEF]

I just read this and honestly all I saw was "I have the rotex S/C".

Honestly though, you could take it to someone else and get their opinion. Go to a different inspection facility. You could also argue that the CEL (check engine light) isn't on so the emissions are good. Your exhaust and intake are not connected so I don't really follow the emissions argument.

If you get this figured out, would you mind doing a post on the rotex? What you like/don't like and all that?

Good luck, sounds like you found an ass.

[nookandcrannycar]

Originally Posted by BEEF

I just read this and honestly all I saw was "I have the rotex S/C".

Honestly though, you could take it to someone else and get their opinion. Go to a different inspection facility. You could also argue that the CEL (check engine light) isn't on so the emissions are good. Your exhaust and intake are not connected so I don't really follow the emissions argument.

If you get this figured out, would you mind doing a post on the rotex? What you like/don't like and all that?

Good luck, sounds like you found an ass.

^^^^^This. I have found (in Texas) that the way, 'from A to Z' so to speak, that inspection stations handle an inspection isn't uniform. I first registered my car in Texas in September of 2010 (purchased my Yaris new in October 2006). I went to a Jiffy Lube with a Houston, TX street address that was not within city limits (in an unincorporated area). I bought my Yaris in Rhode Island while on a trip and didn't have to worry about the issue of state inspections at all re the car being new. My registration was temporary. I then registered it permanently in California and California (at least through my last registration there) doesn't have inspections (other than smog). My point being that yearly 'non smog' state inspections were completely new to me when I went to Jiffy Lube. After looking at my car, the Tech told me that my car needed new wipers -- the two in front and one in back -- an the that would be 25.00. I said no, I'll go buy some and put them in myself and come back. The tech immediately dropped the price to 12.00. I said fine. The tech walked away. An old man who was sitting nearby started laughing. He said they are under sales pressure at that location and will also try to make the price higher if they see that it is the first Texas inspection the person is having performed on the car. He suggested replacing the blades before the inspection to avoid what he just witnessed and to save a bit more.

In 2011 I replaced all three wipers, went to a different inspection station, and passed the inspection (completely).

This year I decided to go to an inspection station closer to my house that is right next door to one busy location of a busy local auto repair chain. I figured they might get such a volume from the repair place next door (with some people probably assuming it is all one operation) that they might be less likely to 'jack up' the bill and might say nothing about my year old wipers. This turned out to be the case -- my car passed and no mention was made about the wipers nor any other issue. My tires had 83,726 miles on them at the time of the inspection. I'll be going back to that same inspection place next year.

FYI, my car is stock.

I don't have a very high opinion of Midas. YMMV.

I don't know how the State of Texas keeps track of the information re your fail in its computer system, nor how that would impact a future pass, but you won't know until you try going to a different inspection station. Good Luck.

P.S. For those of you outside Texas who might wonder how Texas might compare to your state, Texas requires a yearly safety inspection for passenger cars. Those of us who live in counties designated as urban by the state have to have a smog inspection every year (the inspection is combined with the safety insp.ection). Counties not designated as urban have less frequent smog inspection requirements (every other year I believe). If I'm not mistaken, classic/antique, etc. cars have different requirements/lack of requirements compared to regular passenger cars. The OP lives in Ector County, which I believe has not been classified as an urban county (for smog purposes) by the State of Texas.

[frownonfun]

Well the kit is great. I love it. I have had it on since late 2009. Which is why I could have sworn this thing has passed before. After reading more on the DPS website I think, yes, he's just an ass. It specifically states cars after 1996 can have any aftermarket/open air intake. But whatever. Because the dealership's inspection system was down I couldn't get it there and by the time I was done haggling with Midas it was too late to go anywhere so I guess I will just try again somewhere else. Still annoyed though.

Here's a pic of the torque damper I FINALLY put on today after buying it like 3 years ago. The Rotrex blower is in the pic as well if you haven't seen it. Because of the bracket the S/C bolts on to this was a huge PITA.

[MadMax]

Wow, where I got they don't even look under the hood! It's basically checking the lights, windshield wipers, horn and that's it. They're suppose to do a brake check but I guess not crashing through the facility is proof enough that they work!

Heck, one year I (unknowingly) had a non-functioning bulb on one of my motorcycles' turn signals, and they just told me to replace it and passed the bike! Turned out it had just come loose and was easily fixed. By the way, the signals on that bike are not OEM; nor are the headlights, tail lights and side marker lights on my Yaris and that's never been an issue for inspections here!

Oh, and the car I had prior to my Yaris, a 1996 VW Passat GLX VR6, had an open air filter on it and always passed inspection.

It's a joke that costs $14.50/year, but after seeing what some other states require I can live with it!

Good luck! M2

[nookandcrannycar]

Originally Posted by MadMax

Wow, where I got they don't even look under the hood! It's basically checking the lights, windshield wipers, horn and that's it. They're suppose to do a brake check but I guess not crashing through the facility is proof enough that they work!

Heck, one year I (unknowingly) had a non-functioning bulb on one of my motorcycles' turn signals, and they just told me to replace it and passed the bike! Turned out it had just come loose and was easily fixed. By the way, the signals on that bike are not OEM; nor are the headlights, tail lights and side marker lights on my Yaris and that's never been an issue for inspections here!

Oh, and the car I had prior to my Yaris, a 1996 VW Passat GLX VR6, had an open air filter on it and always passed inspection.

It's a joke that costs $14.50/year, but after seeing what some other states require I can live with it!

Good luck! M2

re the first line of your post.

Here it is a few pennies under $40 (and the same at all stations) because they lump the inspection you are talking about together with the smog inspection as both are required every year.

I thought Bexar and the other counties around San Antonio are considered urban counties by the state, thus your cost would be the same as mine. Or do you just happen to know what the two separate amounts that add up to just under 40.00 are and are just listing the cost for the safety part of the inspection? (I have no idea what the breakdown of the fees is )

[MadMax]

Originally Posted by nookandcrannycar

I thought Bexar and the other counties around San Antonio are considered urban counties by the state, thus your cost would be the same as mine. Or do you just happen to know what the two separate amounts that add up to just under 40.00 are and are just listing the cost for the safety part of the inspection? (I have no idea what the breakdown of the fees is )

Nope, no emissions test in Bexar county! We just have the annual "safety" inspection that costs $14.50!

From the DPS website:

Emission Testing Information
The type of emission test for your vehicle is determined by your location and the age of the vehicle. The information below outlines the criteria, and provides a link to detailed information about the specific emission tests.

El Paso, Travis and Williamson County Motorists
1995 and older vehicles will receive the Two Speed Idle (TSI) test while 1996 and newer vehicles receive the On-Board Diagnostic (OBDII) test.

DFW and Houston/Galveston Area Motorists
1995 and older vehicles will receive the Accelerated Simulation Mode (ASM) test, while 1996 and newer vehicles receive the On-Board Diagnostic (OBDII) test.

Cheers! M2

[nookandcrannycar]

Originally Posted by MadMax

Nope, no emissions test in Bexar county! We just have the annual "safety" inspection that costs $14.50!

From the DPS website:



Cheers! M2

Wow. You guys are lucky. San Antonio is quite wonderful. However, as a baseball fan, I still like being closer to Minute Maid Park .....even considering how bad the Astros are right now. I like all of the big cities in the Texas Urban Triangle, but for living (weather wise) I think I could only enjoy Houston, San Antonio, and Austin during the Winter months.

[frownonfun]

Just went to another inspection station yesterday and he tells me the same thing about the air intake, that it can't be open. So I don't know what the deal is.

[kou]

Put your stock air box back in go pass inspection then remove it when you get home.

[ajmarshall169]

http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/RSD/VI/airIntake.htm

go to this web site. is the air intake off road only or is it legal for on road in all 50 states

[MadMax]

Originally Posted by ajmarshall169

http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/RSD/VI/airIntake.htm

go to this web site. is the air intake off road only or is it legal for on road in all 50 states

Score!

[frownonfun]

yeah i've been to that page. i quoted a portion of it in an earlier post. which is why i don't see why i'm having issues with this crap. it states it's not an item of inspection but then goes on to state "if the air intake reads..... blah blah blah" but my question is if it's not an item of inspection then what the hell does it matter what it reads?! anyway i got someone to pass it. still don't think it should have been this much trouble.

[MadMax]

Are you going to inspection stations or garages that do the inspections? I use the latter and have found they are much less pricks about things like this.

Ask around and see if anyone you know has any suggestions, there has to be someplace where they aren't idiots (Midland, maybe?).

If you weren't 350 miles away, I'd show you some good places in SA!

Cheers! M2

[frownonfun]

Garages that do inspections.

It's officially legal now as I found someone to pass it but I'm still a little bothered by the ambiguities in the criteria. Sure I could have just put my stock air box back on by why should I have to if the intake isn't even an item for inspection? Also there is nothing specifically on the list of things to check that would require a peek under the hood at all. Even the DPS rep that oversees the stations here told me as long as there's an O2 sensor, catalytic converter and muffler I should be fine. So why the need to even make clarifications on street legal or non street legal intakes? And to clarify, my air intake doesn't read "Racing Use Only" or anything like that. But even if it did I still don't see how that falls under what an inspector is supposed to be looking for. Because here's the list of things the inspection station should check as per the DPS website...

1. Horn
2. Windshield Wipers
3. Mirror
4. Steering
5. Seat Belts
6. Brakes (system) (Parking - beginning with 1960 models)
7. Tires
8. Wheel Assembly
9. Exhaust System
10. Exhaust Emission System (beginning with 1968 models)
11. Beam Indicator (beginning with 1948 models)
12. Tail Lamps (2); (1) if 1959 model or earlier
13. Stop Lamps (2); (1) if 1959 model or earlier
14. License Plate Lamp (1)
15. Rear Red Reflectors (2)
16. Turn Signal Lamps (beginning with 1960 models)
17. Head Lamps (2)
18. Motor, Serial, or Vehicle Identification Number
19. 1988 & newer - inspect for window tinting or coating
20. Gas caps on vehicles 2-24 model years old.

The only thing the open intake MIGHT could fall under is exhaust emissions system. But I really don't see why the intake would be included in that. I mean couldn't the ECU be considered a component in the exhaust emissions system if we are gonna take it all the way back to where the air comes in. Heck even body alterations could potentially fall under that.

And actually while I'm thinking of it there's a difference to me between putting something illegal on your car and putting something illegal that falls under the scope of state inspections. Taking off your bumper brace is illegal but because it's not under the state inspection criteria how or why would they ever know you took it off?

But anyway like I said I got it passed so I guess I'm over it. It's whatever. Looking forward to next November already.

Thanks for all the help and feedback btw. It's appreciated.