Lee1977 6,872 #26 Posted February 17, 2021 4 hours ago, pullstart said: Hard to beat a tin can and hose clamps. 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
squonk 41,648 #27 Posted February 17, 2021 (edited) I don't know the cost now, but the computer needed to connect with the state to process inspections was $20,000. At $20 a pop at the time that's 200 inspections just to pay for the machine. Really put a crunch on a small shop. Plus it took time away from the rest of the money making repairs. Front end alignment machines were even worse. People who complain how much a shop charges have no idea what goes into it. Same thing with auto parts. I've been a supplier wholesaler and end user. I have seen every end of it. Guys will complain about a $10.00 axle seal. Well, Try having to buy a couple of pump seals no bigger than said axle seal for $1500 Ea. not including the gaskets and brass sleeves to go with them. And don't get me started on Hobart dish machines. $2000 for a pump motor that's application specific. Edited February 17, 2021 by squonk 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ebinmaine 68,887 #28 Posted February 17, 2021 1 hour ago, squonk said: I've been a supplier wholesaler and end user. I have seen every end of it. Yepp. Me too. Back about 1998 Mass forced ALL inspection stations to buy a new state-of-the-art drive-on inspection machine/dynamometer. Cost well in excess of $200K. Stickers were about $30. Took over half an hour to do a single one. Good investment. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
elcamino/wheelhorse 9,358 #29 Posted February 17, 2021 Annual inspections here $20.00 a pop. No exhaust emissions check in my area , but may have them in other parts of the state. When I was a teenager ( most of you weren't a twinkle in your daddy's eye ) inspections were every 6 months , not sure of the cost. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
squonk 41,648 #30 Posted February 17, 2021 38 minutes ago, elcamino/wheelhorse said: Annual inspections here $20.00 a pop. No exhaust emissions check in my area , but may have them in other parts of the state. When I was a teenager ( most of you weren't a twinkle in your daddy's eye ) inspections were every 6 months , not sure of the cost. How do you inspect an ox cart? 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ebinmaine 68,887 #31 Posted February 17, 2021 6 minutes ago, squonk said: How do you inspect an ox cart? Doesn't take as long as some of the modern vehicles. You still do need to make sure that your nice wooden wheels are round and true and that the nice wooden bearings are well lubricated and not excessively worn. Also necessary to check all points of attachment. 2 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
squonk 41,648 #32 Posted February 17, 2021 Jim's prolly got one with a 1933 sticker out back! 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SylvanLakeWH 26,155 #33 Posted February 17, 2021 9 minutes ago, ebinmaine said: Doesn't take as long as some of the modern vehicles. You still do need to make sure that your nice wooden wheels are round and true and that the nice wooden bearings are well lubricated and not excessively worn. Also necessary to check all points of attachment. It’s all about “gas” mileage... 5 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
OldWorkHorse 3,045 #34 Posted February 17, 2021 I have use this to seal gaps in exhaust for years. I put it on a truck I had about 5 years ago and still holding strong. Right after the cat so it hold up to high heat very great as well. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Handy Don 12,662 #35 Posted February 17, 2021 3 hours ago, Tractorhead said: We have here a inspection every 2 years, they charge nearly 100€ with a check lite on, there is no chance of the roadsafety ticket. the complete roadsafety checkup is at nearly 150€ - On truck‘s this check is every year. Except are Oldtimers before the Cat Aera, if they get history status, they can be as they where in their manufacting time. No retrofit of a Cat is necessary, it can be made but isn‘t a must. another reason, i prefer old Cars. On external repairs they should also last a little timeline, i know just an oversizepipe over the original, if originalpipe is on a spot rotten.But my experience shows me also, there is rarely just one single spot, it‘s mostly larger. You might also explain in another thread the rigorous and costly process you go through to get a license to drive those regularly-inspected vehicles. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jeff-C175 7,203 #36 Posted February 17, 2021 3 hours ago, squonk said: Hobart dish machines Now the nightmares are going to come back! thanks... thanks a LOT! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Chestnut 315 #37 Posted February 17, 2021 You guys had to bring up the car inspection/emissions topic! February is the month they all hit in my family and almost every year it's something. The shop sets the price in NH, usually around $40-$50. If something fails and you don't get it fixed there they can charge a re-inspection fee. All I can say is, use a local shop you know and trust. I violated that once. Went to a tire chain with my 3 year old vehicle. They found the passenger side wiper blade was a little streaky. They could replace it for $40. My other most frustrating experiences have been with O2 sensors. One was reading out of spec. lean. Replaced it. Same problem. Chased the code for about a month until I found and fixed the crack in the vacuum line. Last year it was slow response on the rear O2 sensor on my son's car. Spread my O2 sensor socket trying to get it off. Finally went for broke, cut the wires, and used a 6 point impact socket and long bar to get it. Did I mention how much road salt we use in NH? And how much I hate working under the car in February? 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jeff-C175 7,203 #38 Posted February 17, 2021 1 minute ago, Chestnut said: Spread my O2 sensor socket I've been putting stainless hose clamps on mine when I run across a really tight one... haven't messed up a socket again. It's a pain but can save ruining an expensive socket! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ebinmaine 68,887 #39 Posted February 17, 2021 17 minutes ago, Chestnut said: Did I mention how much road salt we use in NH? And how much I hate working under the car in February? Grabafraggleruggiuhhmurghutderbahegitt. AAAGGGGHHHHHH!!!!!!!! 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
elcamino/wheelhorse 9,358 #40 Posted February 17, 2021 1 hour ago, squonk said: How do you inspect an ox cart? Carefully and mind the patties. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Chestnut 315 #41 Posted February 17, 2021 45 minutes ago, Jeff-C175 said: stainless hose clamps I actually did that too. I don't remember whether I was already too late to the party or what. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Chestnut 315 #42 Posted February 17, 2021 32 minutes ago, ebinmaine said: Grabafraggleruggiuhhmurghutderbahegitt. AAAGGGGHHHHHH!!!!!!!! I don't think they check emissions in Kennebec County. Happy for that. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ebinmaine 68,887 #43 Posted February 17, 2021 4 minutes ago, Chestnut said: I don't think they check emissions in Kennebec County. Happy for that. Cumberland county only far as I know. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
8ntruck 7,183 #44 Posted February 17, 2021 10 hours ago, pullstart said: I did that once on a 1973 Trimuph Spitfire to patch things together until the weather warmed up enough to fix it properly. Being a sports car, I went light weight and used a Coke can. 1 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jeff-C175 7,203 #45 Posted February 17, 2021 14 minutes ago, 8ntruck said: used a Coke can. Ahhh, the goodle daze of British sport cars. I had a '60 TR3. I used Guiness cans. 1 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pullstart 63,204 #46 Posted February 18, 2021 4 hours ago, Chestnut said: You guys had to bring up the car inspection/emissions topic! February is the month they all hit in my family and almost every year it's something. The shop sets the price in NH, usually around $40-$50. If something fails and you don't get it fixed there they can charge a re-inspection fee. All I can say is, use a local shop you know and trust. I violated that once. Went to a tire chain with my 3 year old vehicle. They found the passenger side wiper blade was a little streaky. They could replace it for $40. My other most frustrating experiences have been with O2 sensors. One was reading out of spec. lean. Replaced it. Same problem. Chased the code for about a month until I found and fixed the crack in the vacuum line. Last year it was slow response on the rear O2 sensor on my son's car. Spread my O2 sensor socket trying to get it off. Finally went for broke, cut the wires, and used a 6 point impact socket and long bar to get it. Did I mention how much road salt we use in NH? And how much I hate working under the car in February? I think many times O2 sensors get a bad wrap for being bad when a code is produced. They are just telling the computer the air/fuel ratio is off for some reason, but the code read makes it out as a bad part. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tractorhead 9,065 #47 Posted February 18, 2021 11 hours ago, Handy Don said: You might also explain in another thread the rigorous and costly process you go through to get a license to drive those regularly-inspected vehicles. I decide such things on what is to fix. if the Muffler is defect, it can be just exchanged with an approved one here, otherwise no roadapproval. if the pipes inbetween have some rustspots, they can be fixed with an oversize hose like @pullstart Can version. that must not be the maximum cost for a fix when it‘s a small damage. But mostly the rest of the pipes are not much better inside if first rustspots occurs. my experience over the years show me, that the most rotten exhaust pipes was typically rotten between the Cat and the Muffler. If it‘s just riped because of vibration there are several repair options that can be done. It also depends if it must be just a quick field fix for short term or a longer lasting fix. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wheel Horse 3D 3,795 #48 Posted March 12, 2021 On 2/17/2021 at 9:12 PM, pullstart said: I think many times O2 sensors get a bad wrap for being bad when a code is produced. They are just telling the computer the air/fuel ratio is off for some reason, but the code read makes it out as a bad part. If ya know what your sensor should read ohm wise it quite easy to test, but of course they always wanna change it.$$$$$ 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
EricF 589 #49 Posted March 17, 2021 Oxygen sensors... I worked around the NH DMV when the computer systems got phased in. What a mess. Some cars must be running for a specific minimum time before the O2 sensors will deliver accurate readings. Or not, if the shop wants to make a few more $$$. Had a shop in NH fail my truck once because the tail light lens was "damaged". You had to put your eye right up an inch away to see a tiny scratch. Funny, a former NH State Police Colonel retired and showed up the next day as a service manager for one of the biggest auto dealers in the state. And one of the bigger proponents of the inspection system... Now, I'm not saying that a proper safety and emissions system inspection isn't a good idea. But in practice the systems tend to get abused terribly. Indiana used to have one, but the corruption got investigated and it was shut down in the 70s, never to return except for emission-only testing in one pollution-prone area of Lake County. Michigan will never have an inspection law, because Detroit only makes safe cars and they make sure the politicians know it! 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites