Originally Posted by
PaulR
Emission testing for certification is not done with built online vehicles, all testing is done with vehicles that have been carefully prepped to ensure that they pass. Every emission device is tested before being installed onto the test vehicles, whenever there is a range for a pass/ fail of a component, the component is always selected to be in the best range to ensure a pass.
Also, emission testing is NOT done using gasoline, it is done with indolene, a much purer fuel to ensure the vehicle passes. Fuel lines and vacuum lines are also checked to make sure they seal completely before the "Shed Test", a test that looks at evaporative emissions.
No right off the line vehicle running on regular gasoline is going to pass the emissions requirements for certification. All they are proving is that if every part is perfect, every connection is tight and leak free, and the fuel is perfect, the system will be within an acceptable range, could be the bottom of the range, could be the top, but it will meet specs.