Let me try and explain a few things that will
help you understand the requirements of a Computer. Controlled
engine and what equipment is required to PROPERLY DIAGNOSE these
vehicles. When you go to a Doctor with some sort of pain in
you stomach or digestive system, what is one of the first things
the Doctor wants to help Diagnose the problem? The Doctor usually
asks for a test of the waste that comes out of your body, right?
Well an engine is the same thing. The ONLY
WAY a Mechanic can tell what is going on inside the engine during
the combustion process, is to be able to analyze what is coming
out of the exhaust. Since the Governments first started requiring
Manufacturers to start to make new vehicles that ran BETTER
and used LESS GAS, there has been a general misunderstanding
as to what the Laws were all about. I have said for years that
they used the wrong terminology for Emission Controls. They
should have been called EFFICENCY CONTROLS. Those of us that
understood the working of an Internal Combustion Engine, knew
that a engine that runs PROPERLY, makes very little emissions
out the tailpipe. The Government was trying to get Manufactures
to make vehicles that would put LESS UNBURNT FUEL out the tailpipe.
When they started these regulations, they also passed Legislation
that stated basically that Emission controlled vehicles COULD
ONLY BE REPAIRED IF THE PERSON DOING THE REPAIRS HAD PROPER
TESTING EQUIPMENT. In other words, since Emission Regulations
became Law, it has been ILLEGAL for a Mechanic to work on vehicles
without a CERTIFIED EXHAUST GAS ANALYZER. However, as these
laws were never enforced in most areas, most people just ignored
them. But, not only is it the law, but it is nearly IMPOSSIBLE
for a Mechanic to repair the fuel system of a vehicle without
a PROPER Exhaust Analyzer. (I said NEARLY because nothing is
impossible and there is the OFF CHANCE that someone could GET
LUCKY.)
For over Thirty years, those of us that knew
the difference, we have used exhaust testing to make sure that
vehicles were running PROPERLY. And, I have always got a kick
out of some of the BS I have heard from Mechanics that aren't
smart enough to understand the requirements of exhaust analyzing.
I have heard things like; "Any good Mechanic doesn't need all
that fancy stuff to make a car run right" and "Why should I
spend all that money to buy a expensive piece of equipment when
people don't want to pay for using it anyway. And it is easier
to sell a customer on buying ANOTHER part or repair than try
and charge them for proper diagnostic testing".
These type of comments are themselves the
reason why the Governments had to start Regulations regarding
Emissions. The Government KNEW that if they didn't pass some
laws, the majority of people wouldn't fix vehicles properly
and would be causing more Emissions. By using Laws, the Government
could force Manufacturers into producing vehicles that wouldn't
make AS MUCH pollution, by making the run more efficiently and
use less fuel. But, the factories knew that a lot of SO CALLED
MECHANICS wouldn't want to deal with these systems RIGHT, so
the BEST WAY was to use Computer Controls. The on board system
monitors exhaust output and makes calculations for adjustment
in order to ensure that there is as little as possible unburned
fuel going out of the tailpipe. They even designed a system
that is SELF MONITORING, to aide in diagnosing the system. BUT,
the only way to be sure that these systems are working properly,
is with AN EXHAUST ANALYZER. That is why any area that has required
testing, uses an Exhaust Analyzer to do the testing.
So, gust think about this a minute, if vehicles
have to pass a Exhaust test to be sure that they are running
PROPERLY, how can anybody think that a person does not need
a Analyzer to repair vehicles. BOTTOM LINE IS, NEVER ,NEVER,
TAKE YOUR VEHICLE TO A SHOP THAT DOES NOT HAVE AN EXHAUST ANALYZER.
(And make them show you it is a current LEGAL Model.)
Copyright of Rick The Wrench 1999
"TOOT" Rick "The Wrench" - June 7th,1999
Copyright of Rick The Wrench, 1999
