In a message dated 1/5/01 2:38:25 PM Pacific Standard Time,
lalofs@ENTERACT.COM writes:

<<   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!".   >>

Not emissions related but just as funny: I was at a PepBoys near Los Angeles
getting some emergency replacement tires. I was in a similar booth watching
them try to get the spare out. I was waving my arms when this guy was yanking
on the small plastic released ring with all his might. first left, then
right, then down. I managed to dash out and scream at him to undo the bolt
first! He looked at me w/ embarrassment. As I walked back to the booth I
turned around content that he would remove the spare properly now. He undid
the bolt and waited for the spare carrier to open. No go. Again I went to the
window waving my arms when he stuck his head under the spare tire carrier to
see what was holding things up. While he was doing this, he was gently
pulling on the plastic release tab.... You can figure out the rest. I didn't
run out in time to save him from that.

On the subject of emissions testing, we in California are accustomed to these
biennial inspections. We've been enduring these in one form or another for
decades it seems. The canisters where the inspection stations pump exhaust
samples are sent to a C.A.R.B. facility where random sampling is performed to
confirm if the station sample agrees with what their online emissions
computer has sent in to C.A.R.B.

In some metropolitan areas of California, they even test seals on gas caps in
addition to inspecting all the engine components on the engine. So yes,
engine access is definitely necessary. Most shops in the San Francisco are
used to looking for the engine in the back. Just wait until they start
inspecting EuroVans. Just when they were getting used to inspecting VW
vans....

BenT
San Francisco