=David-M= wrote:

> Being a new AZ resident, I just took my first ever enhanced emissions
> test here in Phoenix.
> After driving 30 mins to the nearest station then idling my stationary
> van for 45 mins spewing out pollutiuon, I eventually got to the front of
> the line.
> It was quite funny to see the mechanics look for my engine compartment.
> After circling the van twice they had to ask me where it was. Not
> realizing this was needed (no-one told me), the back of my van was full
> of junk and the weekender bed made the access almost impossible.
> Apparently this is needed to test the 'evaporative control system',
> wahtever that is.
> Anyway my van passed even though they wrote 'inaccessible' agaionst the
> 'eveporative control system' test.
> Does anyone know where the gas goes that they collect from the exhaust?
> Is it kept somewhere indefinitely or released into the air.

Reminds me of the last time I took my 91 GL for testing here in Chicago.
Previously the testing had been done at idle only.  Now they have added a
dynamometer which lets them "drive" the car in gear at 30 mph or so.
  Anyway, they told me to wait in the booth nearby and proceeded to put the
FRONT wheels on the rollers, put a large fan in front of the grill, block
the back wheels and started to get in the car.  In the booth, I started
waving my arms frantically, and then burst out, yelling "Rear wheel
drive!".  At first they wouldn't believe me, until I pointed out  that there
were no axles or differential in the front, the engine was in the rear, and
that it was connected to the rear wheels.
  They finally moved the car and tested it successfully(pass).  They also
showed me their reference book which clearly said: 1991 VW van: front wheel
drive.
  By the way, in three tests of my vanagons, they have never had the right
adapter to test the gas cap (standard VW) and have always had to get the
manager to give it a "visual inspection".

Larry Alofs
91 GL
88 Jetta
90 Saab 900S