Moving 2 Boston Area from Florida (emissions and inspection)

Andie1974 · Post by **Andie1974** » 17 Oct 2009, 10:02

Hi,

Have a 98 v70 non turbo in Florida with 180k
Also have an 89 240 non turbo with 240k
Moving to the Boston area.

Here in Florida there are no inspections.
I hear Massachusetts has vehicle safety and emissions inspections.

Safety I know it will pass, car is in great condition.
Emissions, not so sure.
CEL light has been on for a while now.
Before code was P0305 (misfire cyl 5) about a year ago...
Code cleared and never came back.
August did a a tune up with wrong plugs and code was P0304 (misfire cyl 4)
Replaced NEW bosch platimums for OEM volvo plugs with 4 prongs everything was normal and no misfire codes, but now we have P0455

BillofDurham said this in one thread:

point to a leak in the fuel system which could be something small like the filler cap not being tight enough to a leak in the tank, filler pipe, EVAP canister, EVAP canister shut off valve or any of the lines between these components. I would start with the filler cap, replacing the cap or the seal on the cap.

Will this, if not properly looked at throw an state of Massachusetts emissions inspection to point of failing?

Money is very tight right now and I do not want to spend hauling a florida car all the way up north and be stuck w/o being able to get it legal for the road. Need to know what I should start looking for in order to make repairs myself while I stilll have a garage and warmer weather.

The 240 is fine... smokes a little at start up but this is not all the time.

Is there a vehicle age that a car may become exemt of emissions in Massachusetts?

Thank you.

Post by **MadeInJapan** » 17 Oct 2009, 10:18

Yes, it will fail if you have any codes- and resetting codes by pulling battery will give you a 'not ready' status- you're going to have to deal with things and fix them or you're not going to pass.

rubyvette · Post by **rubyvette** » 17 Oct 2009, 19:10

They do the testing by plugging their computer into the OBDII port on cars that have one. I know a great shop in Worcester if you'll be anywhere near that.

Post by **Sperry** » 17 Oct 2009, 19:25

In PA, codes don't count if the car is '95 or older.
You just have to pass the dyno test and the machine.

Mass. also has something for '96 nd newer.
http://www.mass.gov/rmv/faq/inspection.htm

Andie1974 · Post by **Andie1974** » 17 Oct 2009, 20:08

Sperry...
Thank you for the link... I'll read up on it in a few.

Rubbyvette,
Thank you for your reply. I hate to say this but when I lived in New York, cant say today but years ago, if you wanted the inspection sticker, shops had a way of getting you one by having an emission passing car next to yours and well... I guess you know what I am talking about.

My car may not be a great issue but right now money is tighter than ever and I would hate to have a car up there that I cannot use because it failed.

This shop in Worchester, I'm sure they are reliable mechanics but is the NY thing possible in Massachisetts or do shops go by the book?

Thanks

rubyvette · Post by **rubyvette** » 18 Oct 2009, 09:21

I don't think that happens much, if all, any more because of the OBDII plug in. I can't say it doesn't happen at all, just that shops are a lot less willing to lose their machine and $$$ by doing it. The shop in Worcester that I mentioned doesn't do inspections anyway, just repairs. Just let me know if you need some work done when you get up here.

db130 · Post by **db130** » 18 Oct 2009, 13:53

for 1996 and newer in MA:

if there is a CEL=automatic fail for emissions

if there is no CEL AND if the emissions monitors come up as ready=automatic pass

exemption info:

http://massvehiclecheck.state.ma.us/mot ... hese_steps