Re: Plug wires

["Tom Harais" <tjhemh@domain.elided>]

Chris:

I won't say I disagree. And, any vehicle running in excess of 1200 PPM HC
has some sort of problem that should be worked out (my motorhome was a
prime example).

But you have to be aware: The regulatory bueracrats get their inch, then
they take a mile.

It starts with the simple 1200 PPM HC standard. Then they decide to
"tighten down" because not enough vehicles are failing according to the
EPA, to make them feel comfortable with the program. Yes, that's right.
Every time they change the program they have a target percentage of
vehicles they expect to fail (a mechanic freind quoted me 15% last time) as
"proof" that they are getting "gross polluters" off the road. They even go
as far as to impose standards on an existing vehicle, that are more
restrictive than those in force at the time the vehicle was built!

In an effort to maintain public support, they produce all sorts of TV and
radio ads and they throw out a 'red herring'. They assure the public that
this is for thier own good and that they only want to get "gross polluters"
off the road. They tell you, "Only those old trucks are "gross polluters"
so you don't have to worry'. Freinds fall prey to this ploy and start
asking you why you don't junk that old Scout. After all, it's a "gross
polluter" isn't it?

Then, since your mechanic might be "letting you slide" (you said it, not
me), they start "raiding" shops and arresting mechanics. They impose heavy
fines on the mechanic or pull his smog license and apply even bigger fines
on the shop or dealer where he works. (They do this in CA with some
frequency and they call the news media in to watch - just to be sure that
thier "raids" make an example out of someone so that others will be
forewarned.)

Then, there are some makes/models that are just notorious for failure due
to problems in their design/construction. Rather than going after the
manufacturer where they should, the owner's get the shaft. Late model Chevy
S-10s are notorious for this around here. Ask any smog mechanic. They won't
test them and they won't work on them. Their rudimentary computer controls
fail early and leave no room for corrections. It's just bad design, plain
and simple. A "good" answer would take thousands of dollars to fix each
one. Oops. They already raised the "spend $35  limit" to $500 or unlimited
if it won't pass visual.

By the time they have their stranglehold on you, the bueracrats have won.
Most mechanics give up their license or stop doing SMOG inspections for
fear of fines/and or arrest as well as not wanting to take the wrath of
thier customers they're trying to help in the first place.

Then, you have only a limited number of shops with the equipment and
mechanics to do the testing. The price starts to escalate, due to simple
demand/supply. The mechanics start to get picky about what they will and
won't test, to avoid hassles with the regulators.

You, the poor slob with the "old" looking Scout: You get "frozen out". You
can't find anyone to help you get your Scout cleaned up and tested, and,
you can't register it until you do. You either donate it to charity, part
it out or sell it to a wrecking yard - which the smog program is desinged
to get you to do - or you become an outlaw, which is happening more and
more as California tightens down on everyone but those driving a car less
than five years old.

All of this I tell you from my own experience, and that of others here in
the state that wants to "save us from ourselves". Don't ever beleive it
won't happen where you live, just because cutting down auto emissions is a
good idea. Governments are notorious for taking a good idea, and making bad
policy with it. Just ask the founding fathers.

It doesn't even dawn on the bueracrats and thier Sierra Club allies that
simple aging and replacement of the existing vehicle fleet will accomplish
the same thing that the smog check program is. It will just take about five
years longer and cost consumers billions less. But hey, it's not their
money and the environmental lobby is strong and contributes dollars to
thier cause.

Wake up America. Be carefull what you wish for, you just might get it!

Tom H.