daem0n

Hey guys. I recently got tested for emissions here in Ottawa and failed (no not my 7 lol). Anyhow numbers weren't that bad the first time I went, the only thing I did before the test was put in some "guaranteed to pass" junk from Penzoil. I passed the "driving" emissions part but failed the idle test. Before I went for the 2nd test I put in injector cleaner (not right before the test but soon enough in advance that I was hoping to clean things up), octane booster, better gas, etc. and ran the car on the highway for a while and it made things worse. I failed the "while driving" emissions part also this time. I didn't do much in repairs because the car's not really worth it to me. It's slowly rusting away and I just replaced the exhaust on it so I thought it would make things better but apparently not. Maybe I should've left that hole half-way through the pipe to let more air in lol. Anyhow my question is does anyone have any advice on how I can get this fixed cheap or someway that I can pass the test for this year other than the $450 limit because honestly that's just wasted money at this point in the car's life. Thanks -Joe

Snrub

iTrader: (1)

You don't have to spend $450 to get to the limit, you simply have to do as many recommended repairs as possible for under $450 total. The diagnostic will likely say that you need a new cat and new O2 sensor. Both of those would put you over $450. Thus you would only need to spend ~$200. That's what happened to me.

misterstyx69

iTrader: (142)

As i says I have to take mine in too and since I'm new to the rotary world but functionally literate I have been reading alot...tell you what I've found out...You can pass (not guaranteed by any means) if some of (or all) these steps are taken..tune the car up..NJK plugs,wires..change oil and filter..make sure your catalytic converter is a "real" functional cat..if it is shot it really blow your chances of passing the test out of the water..make sure your air pump is workin.there are threads to help you to explain how to use your air pump to get air to the cat to mix with the exhaust gases ..better emissions reading if you mix your exhaust with air before the sniffer..I am SURE that some-one will chime in on how to do this (I need to know Too!)..or you can sit back with a big cup of coffee put your readin glasses on and do what I do...read anything I can get my hands on!!..YOU can pm me if you want..I'll give you my # ..got more info but my typing takes a millenium to get out!!!..by the way everything suggested is off of posted threads..just the messenger ...good luck to ya!!

MyRxBad

Joe,
what type of car is it? What were the numbers?
The driving test is usually the harder one to pass.. So your cat is probably ok.

pinoy_eh

Hi,

I was also a victim of Canadian Tire Corporation's Merivale Branch in Nepean, Ontario of their incompetency. I brought my car for e-testing as this the nearest place from my work that I can go to. Too bad, that the garage that I usually go don't have any emission testing facility. Anyway, I had the car e-tested and failed on the 1st 2 items. I was given an option to have the car repaired and thus opted to have the car fixed by them.

The service clerk explained to me the procedures and I fully understood the process, so I agreed to their step 1 procedure to pinpoint where the problem is coming from. The cost of this is $ 140.00 just the diagnosis. F**k , this is a highway robbery for me ! ! ! , but, I accepted it since I don't have that much knowledge and equipment to check my system. I told them to go ahead with it even I felt disgusted and angry. After 1 hour, the service clerk named "MIKE" called and informed me that they have pinpointed the problem, it was the oxygen sensor that is not working properly and needs to be replaced. The clerk even told me that they have it in stock at $31.00 and I told them to change it at this price. After 15 minutes, the clerk called me again and told me that they have a different part which will not work on my car, therefore, the part need to be ordered from a dealer, and it will cost me $167.00. I don't have any option again than to tell them to go ahead with the replacement. What I mean is, the clerk should have not given me a quote at first, he should have checked their inventory first if they have the stock before he release his statement. After withdrawing his statement, I felt I am being robbed again for the 2nd time around.

After 3 hours, I went to check the status of my car and the service clerk told me that the car still can’t pass the minimum emission level, therefore, the catalytic converter needs to be replaced and it will cost me another $251.00 for a brand new replacement and the part is not available at that time. I was not given the option that I have the liberty to purchase the item and have it installed by another party so I can save some money. They said that It has to be In-house. I was getting mad at these freakin morons . So I told them that I’ll take my car back and bring the car the next day. I was in the corner and I have to give-in to their suggestion. I told them to get the catalytic converter and I’ll bring my car back the next day. After the converter was installed and passed the testing, my total bill was now around less than $ 1,000.00 just for a measly emission tesing and repair.

My point is, why are those service technicians don’t just say or inform the vehicle owners that once they car fails in the emission test especially of the car is a late 1990’s, the usual parts the needs to be replaced are the oxygen sensor and the catalytic converter. If I was told in the first place that these parts needs to be replaced, I don’t have to do the 1st level of testing, therefore, I would have saved $ 140.00. Another thing is they should have given the customer the option that they can purchase the parts for themselves. This will thus save the customer additional dollars to save.

I’ve check the replaced parts from other parts dealer and it showed that I would have saved more than 30% considering that I purchase the parts by myself. I want to keep the car as the car still runs very well and there is no sign of loose compression or oil buring, at least I still have 2 years to save and perhaps buy another car before the e-testing certificate expires. I just have to work more to make money to pay off my credit card.

With this situation, I felt that I was one of the victims of “Highway Robbery”. Isn't this is a type of roberry ? What would you think ? My lesson is that, from now on, I will never-ever bring my car to any Canadian Tire for service and repairs. I sure hope that a Canadian Tire employee, manager or executive who will have the chance to read this. I am not complaining but I am just venting and I just want to inform the public about what happened to me. I don't want the public to be another victim, I am sure that there are ther people out there who were victimized by their incompetent service clerks particularly car owners who know sh** about the car they are driving.