MA Inspections

[12PACK]

I'm due for my yearly inspection this month.....and so's my truck. :smilielol:

It's an 05. Will I have to get sniffed? The reason I ask is there is a diesel inspection place in town I can goto, but if not, I can goto the place we have our work trucks serviced. This place doesn't have the equipment to do diesels. I asked the owner today and he didn't know if I would until he hooked my truck up to the computer.

I thought there was a grace period, but I'm not sure if it's 2 years or longer.

Anyone know?:dunno:

[dieselnomad]

I'm due for my yearly inspection this month.....and so's my truck. :smilielol:

I thought there was a grace period, but I'm not sure if it's 2 years or longer.

Anyone know?:dunno:

First off, good luck with your inspection! :falldownlaugh:

I don't know about the '05s -- on my '98, there is no emission testing that I'm aware of. From what I understand, and from having owned the truck 2 yrs, they only test 10000lb trucks and up. When I say test, they do a two-stage soot test. First year I owned my truck it still had stock exhaust system. After inspection it fell off... :beerchug: Last year, it was the "saftey" only inspection. This year, the "other" inspection. I think the thing to be concerned about is if they look for a CAT. I don't have one, which could be a problem.
I've asked what the deal is to three different dealers- I got different answers each time - this tells me that dealers don't know, and might mess up anyway.

I have my inspection due next month. Let me know how you make out.

If you fail, and find yourself in a bind, I'd give a call to MassDiesel and see if they can help out. (www.massdiesel.com)

Good luck dude!

[12PACK]

First off, good luck with your inspection! :falldownlaugh:

I don't know about the '05s -- on my '98, there is no emission testing that I'm aware of. From what I understand, and from having owned the truck 2 yrs, they only test 10000lb trucks and up.

If you fail, and find yourself in a bind, I'd give a call to MassDiesel and see if they can help out. (www.massdiesel.com)

If I pull into a bay and somebody puts on a rubber glove and tells me to step out of the truck and bend over.....I'm outta there. :eek:

I didn't think any diesels were exempt, but I'll probably do some digging before I call the local diesel place. If I do get sniffed, it better pass as I'm still stock, so I shouldn't need Scott's help.

Where in Middlesex County are you? I grew up in Shirley.

[12PACK]

Good call, Nomad! From this: http://www.vehicletest.state.ma.us/diesel.html

"The Commonwealth began testing for heavy-duty diesel vehicles (those weighing 10,001 lbs. or more) on February 1, 2001. This is the first step toward testing all Massachusetts registered diesel vehicles for excessive smoke."

I wonder if they'll do a visual inspection to see if I have a cat or resonator. Looks like I can goto the guy I know so I'll ask him about the cat issue.

Here's a MA FAQ: http://www.vehicletest.state.ma.us/dieselqa.html

[12PACK]

I went for my inspection this afternoon. I went to the place in town that does work on diesel's and is an inspection station. No line as I pulled in front of the door to go in. Two seconds after I shut it off, one of the overhead doors opens and a guy waves me over. I fire it back up, pull in and hand the guy my registration and cash. He tells me I can have a seat in the waiting room.

I go in and grab the Sports section I see on the table. Right next to it is a National Geographic from 1978. Yes, 1978.

A dutch door separates the waiting room from the shop, so I'm standing by it watching my truck. He checks my lights, horn, flashers and pops the hood. From what I could tell, he was looking at the sticker on the side of the I6. It was dark in there and it appeared he had trouble reading it. He grabbed the floor jack and checked my front wheels for any play. He closed the hood, scanned either my old sticker or something else near it and tells me I'm all set after scraping my old sticker off and putting a new one on.

I asked what I can and can't do to my exhaust. He said everything's based on decibels. If it sounds too loud, I could be cited if I was pulled over. I don't know how many cops carry meters, but that's what they'd go by. If a cop felt it was too loud, looked under and didn't see a cat, I should expect to get a $1,000 fine. :nutkick:

As far as cats go, if the truck came with one, you have to have one. That's the law in MA. He didn't look under mine for one, though. I'm guessing he thought it was stock, which it is, although I have a Megs rolled tip. That still didn't get him to look under, though and he was on my right as I pulled in. This guy was in his 60's I'd say, so I'm guessing he just went on his experience. I felt he's been around vehicles for a while.

Since there's no plug wires to hook the computer up to, he must just answer some questions and that's it.

There was a woman there when I arrived. She was having her suv inspected. They backed her vehicle out of the garage and went into the waiting room to tell her she's all set. They let me back my truck out. I wonder why? :smilielol:

Hope this helps any other MA folk.

[Jim]

Right next to it is a National Geographic from 1978. Yes, 1978.
Those are usually good for some black and white pictures of boobies in a third world country setting:)

[dieselnomad]

Those are usually good for some black and white pictures of boobies in a third world country setting:)

:falldownlaugh: They were very useful in junior high during library session... :smilielol:

12pack, good to hear about your inspection :woohoo:

[mal91152]

It would be nice if someone had a list of what year trucks had CAT's. My 95 had one but my 01 does not. 01 has a resen-ater I think??? On my 95 when I went for inspection they looked with a mirror underneath to see if the CAT was still on.

[12PACK]

It would be nice if someone had a list of what year trucks had CAT's. My 95 had one but my 01 does not.

I was wondering about that, too. I knew some had cats and others resonators. When the inspector told me he hadn't seen a resonator since 82 or 83, he said on cars. Since this is a truck place, HD trucks at that, I thought he'd have a better idea about trucks, but MA just started diesel inspections 4 or so years ago. Time to do some digging.

[dieselnomad]

There's some information here: http://www.dodgeram.org/support_pgs/diesel_ix.htm

But, I'm not totally sure of it. Also, my '98 is sort of a hybrid- it was right on the cusp of cutting over to the 24-valve so I have some stuff that is identified on the newer 2nd gens despite it having the "real" engine... :smilielol: :poke:

[Noreaster]

I went for my sticker this past Mon. got failed on upper ball joints but other than that I passed everything else. He was saying it was loud, which I explained about it always having strong note & he shrugged it off.

[HomeBeerBrewer]

I have to take mine in next month, I don't think mine is too loud, but I'm keeping my fingers crossed. I like the sound the way it is, but my neighbor said it sounds like a Mack truck coming down the street.

[dieselnomad]

It's a 24-valve MDD, you need the 12-valve for a mack truck effect :) . No doubt it's loud though :smilielol:

OK guys, I know where you should take it, PM me if you don't pass. I passed with no checkin' nothing... ;) And, I'm pretty loud with timing at 18* and 4" MBRP. Two days after passing, NHredneck noticed while up on the dyno that a back light was out. What's the chance that it was out already during the inspection? :dunno: ;) LOL

[HomeBeerBrewer]

Yeah, I didn't think it sounded like a Mack, but my neighbor just doesn't like me (and the feeling is mutual), and he has no room to complain. I just asked him when he plans on cutting the lawn and he shut up and walked away.

It does get a little too loud towing on the highway, but apart from that, I'd like to keep it as it is.

[DOUG]

[QUOTE=12PACK;5960]

I asked what I can and can't do to my exhaust. He said everything's based on decibels. If it sounds too loud, I could be cited if I was pulled over. I don't know how many cops carry meters, but that's what they'd go by. /QUOTE]


There isn't one cop in the entire state that carries a decibel meter for measuring exhaust noise. It's all subjective to officer that has you pulled over, just as it is subjective to the inspector at the inspection station.

I was followed into a parking lot by a local PO, he said what I had in the bed of my truck was illegal, I said not it's not, the exhaust exits behind the cab. He told me he didn't care where it exits, my truck was too loud.
So I asked...define too loud. That's when he told me about the new law and how it leaves the judgment of loud exhaust up to the PO.
I then said well that leaves a lot to question...your opinion could be different than the next persons. He proceeds to tell me that he could get the inspection station closed for giving my tuck a sticker...How could that happen based on what you just told me? I asked. You just said it's all subjective...I went one step further with this guy and said, I bet if you gave me a ticket and we went to court, the Judge would throw this out based on just that fact alone.

He gave me back my license and registration and told me to have a nice day.

[HomeBeerBrewer]

Sounds like so many of the other laws in this state. I was talking to a lady once about an accident she had. She was sitting at the light, when a kid on a bicycle came flying down the sidewalk and hit her car, flew over the hood, and landed in the street. She got a ticket for hitting a pedestrian. We talked about how wrong that was for a while. But, later that night I was watching the news, and the Boston police arrested a man for DWI, or DUI, or whatever driving drunk is called. And the kicker is, he was riding a bicycle on the sidewalk. So, is a bicycle a vehicle, or a pedestrian? Apparently, it's subjective, and it's up to the cop. So if I EVER get a ticket in this state, for ANYTHING, I WILL take it to court.


Plus, it doesn't hurt to know a few cops...

[dieselnomad]

Where-ever and whenever possible in this fine state we call the commonwealth, I try and take only back roads. The more obscure the better. Having grown up and lived here most of my life (save bulk 5 yrs in VT, 12 yrs in NY, and various lil yrs in other NE states) finding multiple ways to a destination is both fun and a good way to avoid "THE MAN". Being able to navigate helps, but knowing general sense of direction is all it really needs. If you are going thru the same town a lot, make a point of going by the police station regularly, they'll get to know you and know what you have and it hopefully won't be a problem.

The story about the bikerider, good court case. . . Doug's case, great court case, police harrassing, within city ordinents, noise, etc.

Above all, welcome to mASSachusettes ! :smilielol:

[BelgianMagic]

I got a parking ticket in Uxbridge Ma on Patriots day ...
with a company truck (tractor trailer)
on a dead end culdisac
adjacent to route 146 a
in front of a mcDonalds

a state trooper gave me (ON MY LICENSE) a parking ticket
FOR PARKING ON AND IMPEDING THE FLOW OF TRAFFIC ON A STATE HIGHWAY...

So I think ..."what a dink this cop is...and I pay the $20

2 months later I find out
the person who rec'd the $20 payment , "TYPO'S" THE TICKET

IT CAME OUT TO "WRECKLESS ENDANGERMENT ,SPEEDING+ TAILGAITING"

WE HAVE a copy of the ticket (parking") and a letter from the
"peoples republic of Mass" and still can't get this rectified

IT'S JUST CRAZY...:Paully6::exactly::wtf2:

[HomeBeerBrewer]

Sounds like someone is getting their pockets lined by the insurance companies. With the corruption in this state the way it is, I wouldn't be surprised.

Speaking of the insurance companies, I moved here in 1997, been driving since 1982 (legally, a few more years before that illegally), and had a copy of my driving record for the 10 years prior to moving to this wonderful state. I went to get insurance, gave them the driving record, and they said I was a Step 9. Ok, fine, as long as a Step 9 is the best rating, since I haven't had any tickets or accidents (no accidents on the record anyway). About 3 years ago, my insurance company said I owed them a little under $10000 for the 6 or 7 years that they said I was Step 9. They said I was supposed to start at Step 15 or something like that, and work my way back down to a 9, one point for every year that I have a clean driving record. I called them and told them I had been driving for many years before I got a MA drivers license, but it was from another state. They said that they don't go by other states, only "mASSachusetts". I fought it, and didn't have to pay the late insurance premiums, but I did wind up paying about $300 or so more for that year.

I tried getting quotes from Gieco, Progressive, and some of the other national insurance companies, but they don't do business in this state. I asked why, and was told that the laws in this state prohibit any insurance company that isn't based in the state from doing business here.

[dieselnomad]

I tried getting quotes from Gieco, Progressive, and some of the other national insurance companies, but they don't do business in this state. I asked why, and was told that the laws in this state prohibit any insurance company that isn't based in the state from doing business here.

Yep, sounds fair and equitable doesn't it.... NOT.
I had geico in NY, and I really liked it.

When I moved back to mass, I couldn't get house insurance because my home in nyc had been broken into. I came to find out that if you use your insurance, of really any kind, you get put on a list. If you use it more than twice, you can be denied coverage or put on a black list where no decent carrier will insure you.
Unbelieveable. :wtf2:

[gr40rcapri]

Yep, sounds fair and equitable doesn't it.... NOT.
I had geico in NY, and I really liked it.

When I moved back to mass, I couldn't get house insurance because my home in nyc had been broken into. I came to find out that if you use your insurance, of really any kind, you get put on a list. If you use it more than twice, you can be denied coverage or put on a black list where no decent carrier will insure you.
Unbelieveable. :wtf2:

I have heard this also about HOMEOWNER'S insurance.... right now (it's changing...look at your new step rating...and the new law they passed...) an insurance CO. in mass IS REQUIRED to insure you, basically no matter what your 'step' rating is...

And don't complain about the prices...i had inquired about switching to CT insurance when we moved for a coupla years...same co., same coverage, it was $1800/yr vs. $650 in MA....the rates are regulated by the state...

i have a decent station in the area....PM me if you have issues with stickers...

J

[sooter]

just do like everyone else...move to new hampshire. hell, nashua and manchvegas are almost mass

[EMD_16_645_E5]

I've had my truck for over 3 years now and I've never had anything more than a lights, blinkers & horn inspection.

As far as noise goes its tough for a cop to judge noise just from passing, and if he did pull you over it would be hard pressed for him to have you replicate the same sound just by revving it while he stands there with a meter. I know my truck doesn't sound anything similar between revving it and jumping on it with a load.

As far as the kitty, I'm lucky my truck didn't come with one!:omg:

[DOUG]

I've had my truck for over 3 years now and I've never had anything more than a lights, blinkers & horn inspection.

As far as noise goes its tough for a cop to judge noise just from passing, and if he did pull you over it would be hard pressed for him to have you replicate the same sound just by revving it while he stands there with a meter. I know my truck doesn't sound anything similar between revving it and jumping on it with a load.

As far as the kitty, I'm lucky my truck didn't come with one!:omg:

As of right now Mass. doesn't have a law mandating decible meter testing.

It is coming though. The test will have the vehicle back up 20' from a wall, decible meter placed on the ground at 10'. Then bring the RPM up to 50% (iirc)of usable power (1625 RPM on a 24V). Then the reading is taken. Anything over 98db will not pass.

[EMD_16_645_E5]

I'm pretty sure that I was over 98 DB with my stock exhaust.

I see an easy way around getting a meter read (STACKS!)

[Ramdriver15]

what do i do about a mass inspection... i ave no cat, and its 5 inch straight tubing, and its dual stacks and it smokes at idle 70 percent of the time....:woohoo: ....


im due end of feb, but cant go back to mass untill june.....:stirthepot:

[rufushusky]

what do i do about a mass inspection... i ave no cat, and its 5 inch straight tubing, and its dual stacks and it smokes at idle 70 percent of the time....:woohoo: ....



Take it for the inspection the other 30% of the time:poke: Since your truck is older I don't think they will give you a real hard time.

[Noreaster]

Twins quiet down a loud exhaust, theres a good excuse to get some, or throw a Donaldson muffler(I think thats what it is) on theyre pretty quiet.

[Ramdriver15]

i am not moding the exhaust anymore... i, prob gonna re register it in ohio...

[12PACK]

i am not moding the exhaust anymore... i, prob gonna re register it in ohio...

I've got a few friends in OH. From what I'm told, their emissions goes by counties, it's not state wide. Some counties have no emissin regs.

If I was you, I'd consider stocking up on OH plates and selling them in the NETDP gift shop. :smilielol:

[Ramdriver15]

I've got a few friends in OH. From what I'm told, their emissions goes by counties, it's not state wide. Some counties have no emissin regs.

If I was you, I'd consider stocking up on OH plates and selling them in the NETDP gift shop. :smilielol:

i have a set rightn now will cost a NTDP hoodie in size large

[DOUG]

im due end of feb, but cant go back to mass untill june..

Some states will do a courtesy inspection. Basically performing the inspection and installing one of their stickers on the windshield.

Personally, I'd scrape the expired Mass sticker off and continue to drive it with Mass plates.

[Ramdriver15]

thinking bout that.. but its when i venture into mass in the spring im worried about that faggot ass cop to pull me over again and site me for and expired or not having an inspection sticker.

[rufushusky]

thinking bout that.. but its when i venture into mass in the spring im worried about that faggot ass cop to pull me over again and site me for and expired or not having an inspection sticker.

Eh just keep the speed moderate you should be ok.

[dieselnomad]

Some states will do a courtesy inspection. Basically performing the inspection and installing one of their stickers on the windshield.

Personally, I'd scrape the expired Mass sticker off and continue to drive it with Mass plates.

This is just plain bad advice. I'll leave it at that.


thinking bout that.. but its when i venture into mass in the spring im worried about that faggot ass cop to pull me over again and site me for and expired or not having an inspection sticker.

John, without a sticker, or an expired sticker it's a moving violation. And, they will cite you, you'll have to go to court to fight it. Especially if you get caught on the pike.

Look here for some real advice: http://www.mass.gov/rmv/faq/inspection.htm#20
See item 20.

Check with the local OH rules and regulations and get their perspective too. Be careful of crossing state borders without an emissions or safety inspection as they vary state from state. Sure, you might glide right through without any problem, but imagine being stopped a few times on the way home, that'd suck.

[EMD_16_645_E5]

I believe there is some way to get a notice or something to prove that your out of the state when the sticker lapsed. I believe they have to give you a reasonable amount of time to get it done when you get back into the state.

I've had my sticker lapse more than once while out to sea. I take my most recent discharge certificate with me to prove to the cop where's I'd been the whole month. Hasn't been a problem yet, I know enough to not drive like an idot until after I get the new sticker

[Chasespeed]

Yep...

There are stipulations..

When I first came in the Navy, I kept the truck, and bike reg'd in Mass...

After the sticker expired, i forgot about it...

Cop told me about 6 months later to scrape it and forget it...(DOD stickers)

But, if I was worried about it, or traveling out of state, to get a courtesy inspection, and have my orders IN HAND....

I know with active duty, we have a 60 day grace period upon returning home/getting off active duty...

I dont know if that applies to school...


Chase