 Air Care News
July 1997
Repairs reducing
emissions levels from problem vehicles
Emissions reductions from vehicles that initially failed the I/M
240 test in 1996 were repaired and subsequently passed a retest have been substantial, according to the
Air Quality Control Commission's new Annual Report to the Colorado General Assembly on the Vehicle
Emissions Inspection and Maintenance (I/M) Program.
Vehicles that failed their initial enhanced test emitted an average
of 94 grams per mile of carbon monoxide. After repairs were performed, vehicles emitted an average of only
22 grams per mile -- a nearly 59 percent reduction. Hydrocarbons were reduced at a similar rate.
Data from nearly 700,000 inspections during 1996 were used to
determine such indicators as emissions reductions, failure rates and average repair costs. The
annual report, required to be submitted to the Colorado legislature each summer, covers both the
Enhanced and Basic program areas.
While fewer than one percent of vehicles manufactured in the
most recent model year failed the I/M 240, vehicles from 1982-1986 failed at a much higher rate,
ranging from 9 percent to 17 percent.
Average repair costs were well below the $450 limit in the
Denver enhanced area for owners of 1982-and-newer vehicles. Those who had a vehicle fail an initial
I/M 240 test spent an average of $183.71 on repairs before passing a retest. Average cost to repair
older vehicles (1981-and-older) in the enhanced area that failed an idle test was $98.61.
These amounts support other data indicating that the enhanced test
identifies "dirtier" vehicles that require more expensive repairs.
The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment and the
Colorado Department of Revenue credit the availability of consumer guides like the
Repair Effectiveness Guide and the efforts of program area repair
technicians for keeping average repair costs relatively low while significantly reducing harmful
emissions.
A greater emphasis has been placed on making technical assistance
available to both the repair technician and the motorist at the state-operated emissions
technical centers to ensure that the most appropriate, cost-effective repairs are performed.
For a copy of the Annual Report, contact the Colorado Department
of Public Health and Environment's Air Pollution Control Division at 692-3100.
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Proposed changes to Reg. 11
on agenda
Several changes to Colorado Air Quality Control
Commission Regulation No. 11 governing the Motor Vehicle Emissions Inspection Program may
be adopted by the commission at its regular meeting this month. Regulations are
continually reviewed to ensure program effectiveness and to comply with federal emissions
reductions requirements.
Here are some of the more important changes that are being
considered.
Licensed dealers may provide motorists purchasing a vehicle with a voucher to pay for the
cost of an inspection at an Air Care Colorado center operated by Envirotest. If the vehicle
fails the inspection, the motorist would be able to return the vehicle to the selling dealer within
three days, and the dealer could either repair or purchase it.
Certain vehicles with excessively long or short wheel bases cannot be safely tested on an I/M 240
dynamometer. Such vehicles would be exempt from testing on a dynamometer and would be tested using the
idle test.
An enlarged fuel inlet restrictor would no longer be assumed to be indicative of fuel switching.
Vehicles equipped with catalytic converters and oxygen sensors would no longer be failed automatically
because of enlarged fuel inlet restrictors.
Certain inspection provisions for "kit," "custom" and "homebuilt"
vehicles would be revised.
There are other revisions to Regulation No. 11 being considered.
If approved, inspection centers and repair technicians will be notified of the date these
revisions become effective. A public hearing before the Colorado Air Quality Control Commission on the
revisions is tentatively scheduled for later this month.
For copies of Regulation No. 11 or any other Colorado air quality
regulation, write to:
Colorado Air Quality Control Commission
APCD-ADM-B1
4300 Cherry Creek Drive South
Denver, CO 80222-1530
Attn: Christopher Dann
Regulations also may be downloaded from the
Colorado Air Quality Control Commission's website, at the following link:
http://www.cdphe.state.co.us/op/aqcchom.asp
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The Emissions Technicians Night series continued during the past
quarter with a first-ever session conducted in the Basic Program Area.
The National Center for Vehicle Emissions Control and Safety at
Colorado State University in Fort Collins hosted basic area technicians on May 1 for a discussion of
difficult diagnoses and fixes, the "Top Ten Dirty Cars" and other information to help in
repairing vehicles quickly and easily.
As always, look for announcements about upcoming Tech Nights in
the basic and enhanced areas is your regular REI report card mailing, or call the Air Care Colorado
Hotline at 456-7090. Tech Night is free, and refreshments are provided, but seating is limited so
reservations are required.
If you are interested in having your facility host a future Tech
Night, contact Doug Decker at the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment at (303) 692-3126.
Each hosting facility should be able to accommodate approximately 35 people and provide adequate parking
for participants.
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He claims that "It's safer with Seyfer" on his business
card.
For Don Seyfer, though, the phrase is more than just
a catchy advertising slogan for his Wheat Ridge automotive repair business. It's a a business philosophy.
"One thing about automotive repair is that people are not
comfortable with buying it from someone they don't know," Seyfer explains. "It is a means
of calming them. We are aware that they are apprehensive. We want to reassure them and make them more
comfortable with the process."
Seyfer should know a little about customer apprehensions. He's
been in the repair business for 36 years and has run his own shop since the age of 20.
Along the way, he has found time to train dozens of technicians,
serve on the Automotive Service Association (ASA) board both locally and nationally, and assist in the
implementation of the enhanced inspection and maintenance program - all while balancing the books at
his own 10-bay facility.
Seyfer believes it is vital to his business that he stay involved
in the repair industry beyond the day-to-day operation at Seyfer Automotive.
"You've got to know what's going on and be able to see what's
happening in the industry," he said. "It's really enhanced my philosophy. I'm with the movers
and shakers. With ASA, I went through all the 'chairs' so I could get as much information and knowledge
as possible."
"(Staying involved) also gives me a head start," he
admitted, leaving just a hint that his own business reaps the benefits of what he contributes to the
repair industry at large.
As an example, Seyfer has been involved with the enhanced
inspection and maintenance program since the program was in the planning stages, working with Colorado
Department of Public Health and Environment personnel and representatives of the contractor, Envirotest
Systems. He said that his involvement allowed him to see how his own technicians needed to be trained to
effectively repair I/M 240-related failures and the value of a continuing education for himself and his
employees.
"I can work my business better," he said. "I'm
better prepared and I can help my technicians become more knowledgeable."
Seyfer is a believer in the Front Range emissions program. He
said having to address I/M 240 problems has made his own technicians "...so much sharper. A lot of
what they are learning and doing they can apply to driveability and other areas."
Having spent time talking with industry counterparts nationwide
through his involvement with ASA, the National Automotive Technician Education Foundation and other
groups, Seyfer believes the Colorado program is at the forefront of emissions inspection and maintenance.
"I'm proud of that," he said. "I'm proud of the
steps we took to get here. And I'm proud of the people involved."
His pride is one of the reasons his customers have learned that
it is indeed "safer with Seyfer."
Christopher Dann is the public information
officer for the Air Pollution Control Division, Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment.
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Fraudulent
emissions tests harm us all
by Tom Myrsiades
People who violate air pollution laws are committing crimes
against all of us.
When a vehicle illegally passes an emissions test and is allowed
to drive our public roadways polluting the air, we may not know it. After all, we do not see the
resulting property damage or bodily harm.
Yet excessive air pollution seriously impacts our health and
damages the environment.
Persons who participate in this fraud are dealt with severely.
Stiff fines and jail sentences can result.
During the past eight months, the Colorado Department of Revenue
(CDOR) has detected isolated cases of fraudulent testing. One manager/inspector at an independent
station lost his license for using a personal vehicle to create passing emissions certificates for
vehicles that could not pass. Another independent station owner/inspector lost his license for
issuing certificates to vehicles that were not tested. A formal hearing in this case is pending.
Felony forgery charges were filed in May against two emissions
inspectors at the Commerce City Air Care Colorado station for allegedly testing vehicles illegally.
CDOR received a report from Envirotest Systems indicating their concern. A subsequent investigation
revealed that inspectors were conspiring with repair technicians to "clean pipe" vehicles
that were difficult to repair.
CDOR encourages repair technicians, inspectors and business
owners to report any unusual emissions testing or repair results they may encounter. Let's work
together to prevent dishonest inspectors and technicians from foiling one of the country's best
emissions programs.
Tom Myrsiades is an emissions compliance
supervisor with the Colorado Department of Revenue, Division of Motor Vehicles, Emissions Section.
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