VW Clean diesels.... how did they get them so clean?

[truckdiagnostics]

Can't speak for the rest of the country but not in California... even off road diesels 50hp and larger that are not certified can not be used for business... on the ranch/farm not a big deal.

Thousands of compliant Diesel Rigs were barred from the port of Oakland because there was no grandfathering or older rigs... new engine/retrofit... or no port entry to haul from one of the largest container ports in the country...

Emissions are a big deal in California and California writes it's own rules for the most part...

A business caught with altered or missing emission related equipment is no joke.

So what do you thing a delete kit is? It is basically what VW did and look how long it took and how they got caught. Once again the chances of getting caught are slim to none. Also, with a smaller company so they fine you, you can't get blood from a stone. The worst that will happen is they will impound the truck, a lot of companies are taking the chance. Or I get fined, shut down and open up as another company.
Back to my original point, what is fining VW really accomplishing? It is so simple to do a delete it is not even funny, and on top of it you get better mileage and then less maintenance costs. So, how is the EPA going to enforce the regulations once the vehicle is sold? They are not, they are going to make it so difficult that diesel cars and trucks are no longer sold!

 

[MikePA]

That will probably fix the car, but that's not going to fix the problem.

Money, and scalps, will fix the problem. I am sure the lawyers will be glad they are chasing slower diesels versus faster ambulances.

 

[MikePA]

So what do you thing a delete kit is? It is basically what VW did..

No, it's not what VW did. If you install a delete kit, the vehicle will not pass any kind of emissions test.

Back to my original point, what is fining VW really accomplishing?

It will make a lot of lawyers a lot of money.

It is so simple to do a delete it is not even funny...

Again with the delete.

So, how is the EPA going to enforce the regulations once the vehicle is sold?

EPA enforces these regulations on the manufacturer, not on the consumer. Additionally, many states and/or counties within states, have either an annual emissions test and/or an emissions test when the car is sold. If your car doesn't pass, it's off the road until it does.

They are not, they are going to make it so difficult that diesel cars and trucks are no longer sold!

Improvement in mpg for gasoline engines and the price premium for a diesel engine are already relegating diesels to niche markets, e.g., frequent towing.

 

[ultrarunner]

So what do you thing a delete kit is? It is basically what VW did and look how long it took and how they got caught. Once again the chances of getting caught are slim to none. Also, with a smaller company so they fine you, you can't get blood from a stone. The worst that will happen is they will impound the truck, a lot of companies are taking the chance. Or I get fined, shut down and open up as another company.
Back to my original point, what is fining VW really accomplishing? It is so simple to do a delete it is not even funny, and on top of it you get better mileage and then less maintenance costs. So, how is the EPA going to enforce the regulations once the vehicle is sold? They are not, they are going to make it so difficult that diesel cars and trucks are no longer sold!

It's not a software kit on the rigs that haul containers out of the port... same thing with Backhoes, Dozers, Tree Chippers etc. All vehicles on Port property are subject to inspection... and this includes emission.

The rigging company we use has a 180' boom on their big crane... the main vehicle is a monster with a separate trailer for the tower extensions... the owner just spent 40k on emission upgrades... less expense than spending 650k to replace.

One of my best friends is/was a mom and pop grading and excavating contractor... both his backhoe and 2000 year model 7 yard dump required retrofit and it just didn't pencil out... the dump went to an auction out of State and backhoe to a ranch for North...

The Port of Oakland is serious business... what good is a fine if you you're a freight company and not allowed on Port Property...

DMV is another obstacle...

Opening another company and buying all new vehicles is an option... not sure how it is a profitable one.

Nice good running cars are sold outside CA everyday simply because they don't pass the visual and function smog tests... older vehicles must go to a special station or State Garage...

 

[jmc]

Each time I sign in to TBN there are banner ads for Diesel Emission Lawyers... never knew the field of law had become so speialized.

Famous lawyer, Lionel Hutz, specializes in everything.

 

[tcartwri]

....have a feeling there will be a lot of handheld tuners sold in the next few weeks.....

And for those that are saying just flash the EPA test tune as the default, they have already tried that. It doesn't pass in real world conditions.

 

[ultrarunner]

Don't know how true this is...

Had a friend with brothers in the smog business... one in the Central Valley and the other in Pacifica... anyone that know the temp difference can be 40 degrees or more and Pacifica is on the ocean...

They would have cars fail smog in Turlock and just squeak by in Pacifica... I was told the difference in Pacifica, the air is about as clean as can be... not always the case in Turlock....

 

[MikePA]

And for those that are saying just flash the EPA test tune as the default, they have already tried that. It doesn't pass in real world conditions.

I have not seen this in any of the media reports. Do you have a link?

 

[California]

I own a C-Max Energi (after deciding VW TDI was too expensive to maintain). Love the CMax but it gets an honest 40-42 MPG in hybrid mode.

Energi (plug in) version costs a little more and loses some cargo space compared to just Hybrid, no? Now that you are driving it, do you think the Energi option is cost effective, or is it better in some other way?

I ask because I have a 100 mile drive each way to the ranch that I do weekly, and I need something with fantastic highway mileage and also with some cargo space. Subaru Outback was fine but only 23 mpg for this trip, then Ford Focus Wagon at 30 mpg. Is the C-Max hybrid a reasonable next car for this application? Thanks for any comments.

And back on-topic - I considered a TDI wagon but the maintenance costs looked high. In 10 years the Focus has had a few oil changes, the scheduled maintenance, 55k miles on tires etc. I'm under $400 for repairs in ten years/100k miles. I want similar low maintenance cost in my next car and the VW TDI maintenance schedule looked scary expensive. Now of course TDI is out of the question until we see who bears the cost to bring these into compliance. I wonder if they can even be registered in California now. (Smog check required, to issue plates to the new owner). VW has a heck of a mess on their hands.

 

[hutchman]

Energi (plug in) version costs a little more and loses some cargo space compared to just Hybrid, no? Now that you are driving it, do you think the Energi option is cost effective, or is it better in some other way?

I ask because I have a 100 mile drive each way to the ranch that I do weekly, and I need something with fantastic highway mileage and also with some cargo space. Subaru Outback was been fine but only 23 mpg for this trip, then Ford Focus Wagon at 30 mpg. Is the C-Max hybrid a reasonable next car for this application? Thanks for any comments.

And back on-topic - I considered a TDI wagon but the maintenance costs looked high. In 10 years the Focus has had a few oil changes, the scheduled maintenance, 55k miles on tires etc. I'm under $400 for repairs in ten years/100k miles. I want similar low maintenance cost in my next car and the VW TDI maintenance schedule looked scary expensive. Now of course TDI is out of the question until we see who bears the cost to bring these into compliance. I wonder if they can even be registered in California now. (Smog check required, to issue plates to the new owner). VW has a heck of a mess on their hands.

I don't know about the newer TDI's but my 2002 and 2006 need timing belts every 100K miles. I do them my self and the parts are $239 for the 2006 and $333 for the 2002. These include everything that touches the belt including new water pumps. Typically if you have a dealer do it they only change belt and tensioner. The 2002 original timing belt interval was 80K but Gates makes a 100K belt and that's what I run.

Other then that, it's just the usual stuff. My 2002 has over 180K miles on the original clutch. They are not Toyota's ... you can't just put fuel in them and go ... you do have to pay attention to things (timing belt mostly) and change them when required or they will bite you and cost you $$$. If I were to suggest a used one it would have to be a 99.5 - 2003 (they also get better MPG than the 2009+ models). Those have the least issues.