[Larry & Diane]

After getting home, I called the main state emissions repair shop where we take our Mercedes Sprinter passenger van for its supplem natal emissions test ( Another story)

I asked if it was kosher for a testing shop to charge what was essentially “shop Supplies” for an emissions test

Answer, no they didn’t think so but had to check with Revenue Dept)

Against it wasn’t the $4.98 that was aggravating, merely the action of additional costs padded into the test.

Fast track this afternoon, seeing how steep the ramps up to the Dyno rollers was, I shined a flashlight under right rear of bus. Ahh, OK

Shined light under left rear………..shocking, alarmed, panic!!!

Our entire muffler, was dented, fresh bright exposed metal scrapes, even showing a fresh puncture gouge in the metal

i immediately called the emissions testing shop, and was told bring it in for viewing

Took lots of photos, then left for Jim Begli Trucking and repair

Of course, they absolved themselves of the damage, for there is light green paint showing on the damage and their dynamometer is blue

But Chris pointed out the tech who doubled as a tow truck driver, told us He drove the bus around the block before entering the shop. Problem with that, is we experienced the same situation today returning for show and tell. The freeway interferes with any “around the block travel”. One must turn around if missing the dead end side street the entrance to shop is on.

Possibly, driver/test tech did in fact have to turn around and backed over something green. When we hunted down the room our bus was in, the tech nervously ordered us away per insurance reasons.

[Peter]

So, now, we may not be able to I eave on time for the Marathon Monterey Rally beginning 10-9-2016

And since we have a “he said, they said ” scenario, we eat the repair. This shop also identified the fact the our muffler took a large hard hit from the rear breaking brackets that hold it. CRIPE!!!So video cameras will be installed around the bus, so there is evidence of carelessness when we are ejected from the bus. That goes for Goodlettesville Prevost as well. Last fall we we’re told to,leave bus for installation of rear dog bone bushings

[Larry & Diane]

When a shop says leave the bus and go in lounge , I do Lol, I get in bus and start it and drive away, I never leave the bus ever if work is done inside I am inside if it’s outside I am outside if that can’t happen then I leave, period end

side note the blue paint on there machine that got on muffler may have turned green because of the heat when you drove the bus ,,,Detriot motors are blue when new and they all turn green after awhile when they get warmed up and stay green

[Gerald]

Thanks Peter. But the green paint is on bus frame in board from muffler on th skid form. Butt having to leave the bus in this “shop setting” for emissions testing is the only avenue per insurance excuse. We don’t have that luxury to drive away from a shop that emissions heavy duty vehicles in colorado. If you don’t vacate your bus, NO emissions test will be done. Result, no test, then you can’t renew your license sticker. No new license sticker, you can’t drive the bus. Those of us registered in Colorado who live in counties with Emissions Testing, and the test is a farce, observing exhaust opacity, how smoky it is, must comply . We had parked out on the street, and that’s where the tow truck/test tech met us. We had to step out of the bus, and he drove off on a clandestine route to where their “Dyno” was. Who knows WHAT he backed over. I’m going to have S n S do an inspection as well when we have the muffler replaced. Elgin-parts just told me parts are coming out of Dallas, so we should have them Tuesday????

So, when an present or future bus owner asks about LLC’s , immediately a jumping conclusion happens and some yell sales tax evasion. To avoid this catastrophe again we may consider licensing elsewhere. So we’ve paid our tax. This is self preservation. Well, this dented ripped adventure is costing us $861.26, plus an appointment $$$$ at Stewart Stevenson. The owner of this shop lied to us to cover for his employee, we are sure of it. But as I stated above, we have a “he said, they said” situation . So, now we will consider a video system for the bus when we vacate, since we have video driving down the road to record bone head drivers who try to be “cute” like jamming on the brakes two feet in front of us going 60 mph. It’s sad the shop owner won’t own up, yet accusatory words directed at me that we are novice big rig drivers

[tom]

What a mess. Never heard of emissions testing of pre EPA era diesel engines. No such thing in OR and we are at the bleeding edge of environmentalism.

With respect to shops, if it does not feel right, I leave.

Looking at the bright side (if there is one). if this was your original muffler it was due for replacement anyway.

They are not difficult to replace yourself if you put a jack under the muffler to lift it into place.

Gerald

[Bernard]

Yikes!

As for Prevost Nashville, The only thing they asked us was to leave bus when it was being put up on hoist. Once back on the ground, we were free to enter and leave bus as needed and walk around the shop. They drove the bus into the bay but when we were ready to leave the body shop manager said to just back it out. Which I find interesting that they let me drive it back out. I’m totally fine with them driving it into and out of a bay.That way when they rip a mirror off, it’s on their watch.

[Archived]

Colorado Emission rules are thus

2004 or older diesels must have emissions annuslly

automobiles 1975 inclusive with classic collector plates. No emissions even trading owners

1976-1981 car n lite trucks with collector plates which are a five year pre paid plate. Emissions every five tesrs

2005-09 year test biannual gas or diesel

2009 or newer to present Exempt

7 seven counties around Denver and ft Collins.

Colorado Springs, El Paso County opted out

rest of state no testing except out west Grand county which Grand Junction

No way to avoid it, period. no test no renewal no drive

just like insurance , no insurance no registration renewal

We paid the Colorado sales tax when we registered this bus after purchase last year!!!

[Corey]

This is why we lived out in Elbert County…. No Emission testing required. Not for gas or diesel.

[Corey]

I owned a number of factories with a lot of heavy equipment and a high potential for injury due to the nature of the type of production and the machines involved. I never had an insurance policy or an insurance agent or insurance company engineer ever tell us visitors were not allowed in our shop.

A shop with 300 ton presses and fork trucks running around with loads up to 6000 pounds has more potential for injury than a vehicle repair shop. I think businesses that have a policy to keep people out of the shop are not proud of their work, and they use a bogus insurance restriction as an excuse.

I’m with Peter on this issue.

[Chas]

Jon

We understand your point. We, too, have never had an insurance company tell us in our business tenants must vacate the house as we commit repairs to their rental unit.

Problem here is for emissioning vehicles, if we don’t vacate our car, truck, or in this case the bus, our vehicle won’t be tested. As I said above, no relinquishing your vehicle-no test, no test-no license sticker, no license sticker-no legal vehicle operation. End result of unregistered operation=traffic ticket and fine.

its a catch 22.

Only way out of this vicious circle, buy tags elsewhere. Hey, even now, I understand California doesn’t test motorhomes!

[Hugh]

where did the gun companies go after they left colorado? maybe those states are a little more realistic on their emissions and registration of diesel vehicles.

just saying 🙂

[Billy]

The “commisaries” lead to all sorts of “bright ideas” in Colorado. The upside is…if you shop there regularly….you don’t give a damn. Geo.

[Archived]

Jim,

Are you saying that an emissions testing location allows a worker to take your coach for a drive and you have no protection against him stealing your possessions or recourse if he damages your bus?

If that is indeed the case, and you must not be in sight of your coach, then the very least you and the emissions testing shop should jointly participate in a pre-inspection inspection. That is not uncommon and protects both the repair shop and you. They do a visual inspection. They make note of every single dents, scratch or signs of damage. They view the interior and agree they will not walk past a certain point. They provide you with proof the driver is bonded and licensed and the shop has insurance to cover any damage.

Your pissing contest regarding the muffler would not have happened. Now your only salvation is to demand they demonstrate how they put the coach on the test device while you inspect clearances and potential contact points. If they won’t do that go to small claims court with as much proof as possible. Even if you don’t win you will negate any money you already paid.

If you want to license the coach in TN, I’ll let you use my address because any law that requires you to giver up control of your coach is wrong.

[Peter]

Yes Jon

Thanks for address offer. We’ll figure it out. This is the case for every emissions tested every vehicle in the State of Colorado testing area. You give up control of your vehicle and they will not succumb to any pre-inspection at your beckoning.

This whole thing has completely mushroomed after I tried to see if the muffler needed further securement for travel in two weeks to Mira Loma And to see if we can change out muffler ourselves.

God D$$$N.

The radiator fan blade was involved when the muffler was pulled rearward, the exhaust blanket covered exhaust pipe came in contact with the fan blade, shredding a portion of the blanket and melting bending every tip on one side of every blade. I called the Dept of Revenue guy a hour ago and left a message for him about the newly discovered damage! I’ll send Tom photos to post. But there again, we have no observable proof the testing agent did this damage. It’s he said, they said. And they say they didn’t do it and we are liars!

[Tim]

Jim I understand what you are going through its the shits , but if some snot nose tech did that to my coach I would beat him sense less , or slam his leg in the coach door when he was getting out of coach !!!! Some things have to be handled hand to hand , old west style !!!!!

What are they going to do take your Birthday away , I doubt it !!!!!!!!!