Emissions Testing in Phoenix, Arizona - Advice / Guidance / Tips?

[nnnick]

Anyone have any experience getting emissions tested in Phoenix or Tucson, AZ?

Let's just say "theoretically" a "friend" of mine has a test pipe (e.g. no catalytic converter) and an after market exhaust on his 2006 Audi A4 2.0T. He has heard from some people that for the emissions test they just look to see if you have a Check Engine Light or not, then let you on your merry way if there is no CEL...other people have told him they actually monitor emissions from your tail pipe through a sensor, in which case my "friend" is probably screwed.

Anyone have any advice? Are there certain testing stations more lax than others? Any ways around needing to get the test done? Should he just try to pass it as-is, then re-install his OEM catalytic converter if he can't pass? Are there any negative consequences to failing it and then re-testing and passing it? Removing the test pipe is a major PITA and he'd probably need a shop to do it, so it would be a bit of a pain both monetarily and time-wise to go this route...

Thanks in advance fellow AZers from AZ...

[Type44]

1996 and newer, they plug in with scanner and see that 1- no fault codes stored 2- readiness tests pass.

If the software on this A4 is written to achieve that- it will pass. If not, it won't; having never owned a vehicle subject to this, I don't know if the visual evidence of the catalyst being absent will raise a red flag, or if the inspectors are instructed to adhere to the electronic evidence of "no faults"- I suspect the latter.

Really no negative consequences to failing, changing something (wink), then passing. Apart from $ and hassle.

I'd say VAG-COM it and verify that there are no codes and that readiness is set. If so; go ahead and run the test!

[Snooter]

When I bought my A4 in October I had to get emissions on it. I have a stock cat but I don't seem to remember them even looking to see if I had one. Like Type44 said, they just plugged in and looked for fault codes. I was in and out, in under two minutes including paperwork. No downside to failing, except the money.

[mrbogangles]

I just got mine tested, plugged in no cel your on your way.
They check your vin and the gas cap and thats it.

[nnnick]

1996 and newer, they plug in with scanner and see that 1- no fault codes stored 2- readiness tests pass.

If the software on this A4 is written to achieve that- it will pass. If not, it won't; having never owned a vehicle subject to this, I don't know if the visual evidence of the catalyst being absent will raise a red flag, or if the inspectors are instructed to adhere to the electronic evidence of "no faults"- I suspect the latter.

Really no negative consequences to failing, changing something (wink), then passing. Apart from $ and hassle.

I'd say VAG-COM it and verify that there are no codes and that readiness is set. If so; go ahead and run the test!

Exactly what I needed to know - thanks. I have the APR Stage 2 tune which cancels any warnings related with test pipes and O2 sensors, and I've VAG-COM'd my car and don't have any warnings or error outputs related to emissions. If they only scan the computer, then I should be all set :)

[pit viper]

Exactly what I needed to know - thanks. I have the APR Stage 2 tune which cancels any warnings related with test pipes and O2 sensors, and I've VAG-COM'd my car and don't have any warnings or error outputs related to emissions. If they only scan the computer, then I should be all set :)

Yep, you'll pass. I had a car once that I literally cleared all codes prior to pulling forward, passed, and then had the CEL come on again as I was leaving. [:)]

[matt@oCarbon]

Exactly what I needed to know - thanks. I have the APR Stage 2 tune which cancels any warnings related with test pipes and O2 sensors, and I've VAG-COM'd my car and don't have any warnings or error outputs related to emissions. If they only scan the computer, then I should be all set :)

I think you mean your friend will be all set.

[EuroJunkey]

Emmisions is a joke here. Its more like a drive through at burger king. My s4 passed recently and it had smoke coming from the exhaust.

[effacient]

I just got mine tested, plugged in no cel your on your way.
They check your vin and the gas cap and thats it.

That is nice. Thanks for the information. I really like it. :D