Carb adjustment tool

[ILENGINE]

You must have a reason for saying this. Who is going to enforce this. One thing also my tool box is off limits to the tool cops. They will just have to go to a judge and get a search warrant if they want to take a look.

The US EPA is in fact having uncover agents going into mower shops and attempting to purchase the adjustment tools. Unauthorized procession of the tools and adjusting the carbs without being an authorized service center is considered tampering with an emissions control device. The old rule was that only manufacturers, distributors, and dealers were responsible, but that changed in 2010, and now the customer is also subject to fines.

From my understanding, even though a tool is sold to an authorized MTD dealer, I can't legally use that tool to adjust the carb on say a Dolmar if I wasn't an authorized dealer for the Dolmar.

 

[motoman]

OK, the "why" man is asking you all this: Why are authorized dealers allowed to make the adjustment, but not private parties. I know the following (1) 2 strokes are notorious for emissions (2) exhaust gas anlalyzers are expensive. Do dealers have and use them? (3) A properly running 2 stroke motor will choke and not reach full power if the hi speed circuit (jet) is too lean (4) the two stroke will not idle if the lo speed circuit is too rich. I have seen a dealer take a chainsaw outside and do what the home owner does: open or close the hi side to ear and the low side to stop the chain at idle. That's what I would do. I love clean air and maintain full emission equipment on my exempt car. So pros please tell us if you have special equipment. I realize 20 million poor running 2 strokers could foul the air.

Still waiting to hear how dealers are equipped to assure best emissions from small engines. This is not to trap or disrespect. Just to put credibility into the EPA mandates.


Now I will rave briefly about the clean air we take for granted. Several examples stand out. After living in San Diego in the 60's I moved to LA. The smog was so bad my eyes watered and my face stung for 6 months before I adjusted to the smog (also headaches) The next example is from Ankara Turkey in the 80's. A taxi ride was most unpleasant due to no smog control on the autos. That place was worse than LA. China is the latest poster child. Don't drink or touch the water and hope you can see through the smog.

You car enthusiasts who strip off cat converters should know that these devices have improved so much you are fooling yourselves to take them off. Many dyno runs have shown only a 1 to 5 hp improvement , depending upon displacement. Gas mileage improvement is quesitonable IMO.

So I believe in the technology, but would like to hear how dealers are the answer for small engines.

 

[reynoldston]

So just how do they test emissions on small engines. Now cars and trucks I understand because every thing on them is computerized. Any small engine shop I have been in I have never came across anything that had to do with emissions. Now I am not saying there isn't such a thing but something I have never seen it. Any car or truck in NY state newer then 1996 has to pass a emissions test once a year and the test go's right to the state.

 

[ILENGINE]

As of right now, there is no way for the dealers to ensure that the engine meets emissions requirements after we do the authorized adjustments. that will probably be coming in the future. We will probably be required to purchase the equipment to check emissions.

Notwithstanding everybody knows that horsepower sells, but what bothers me is since all this emissions stuff for small engines has come into play, engines have gotten bigger. What use to require a 3 horse engine on a push mower now sells with a 5-8 horse engine. which has a larger displacement, burns more fuel, and emits more emissions due to the larger size, and more fuel burnt. I am not sure that a 7 horse engine on a push mower really emits less noxious emissions than say a 3 horse from the 90's.

When and if they start requiring dealers to test emissions, then the dealers will also be required to undue any modifications to the engine that the owner did. A few years ago people were complaining that the push mower no longer had an adjustable throttle, and some added throttle cables so they could adjust the engine speed. those will all have to come off. People that modified the mufflers, and exhaust ports on there saws will all have to be undone.

Per the standards, an engine that has emissions control devices installed, doesn't meet tamper proof requirements if they can be bypassed in 30 minutes or less.

 

[motoman]

IL ENG, Thanks. Now let's talk about the fuel injected small engines. We all know motorcycles have had FJ for years. So the few fuel injected small tractor /lawnmower engines run with or without catalytic converters ? Perhaps they are so much cleaner than carburettors they do not yet have cats. Also comment on the exclusion of 2 strokers in CA and how much cleaner the 4 strokers are, if possible.

 

[motoman]

You must have a reason for saying this. Who is going to enforce this. One thing also my tool box is off limits to the tool cops. They will just have to go to a judge and get a search warrant if they want to take a look.

Remember though, the mattress-tag police do work closely with the tool cops so they could still catch you when the box is open and they are checking beds.

 

[reynoldston]

Remember though, the mattress-tag police do work closely with the tool cops so they could still catch you when the box is open and they are checking beds.

I sure will keep a eye open for them when they come and check to see if my weed wacker emissions are up to date.

 

[exotion]

If dealers check emissions then I'm golden.....my equipment hasn't seen a dealer since I bought them.

 

[Fish]

The US EPA is in fact having uncover agents going into mower shops and attempting to purchase the adjustment tools. Unauthorized procession of the tools and adjusting the carbs without being an authorized service center is considered tampering with an emissions control device. The old rule was that only manufacturers, distributors, and dealers were responsible, but that changed in 2010, and now the customer is also subject to fines.

From my understanding, even though a tool is sold to an authorized MTD dealer, I can't legally use that tool to adjust the carb on say a Dolmar if I wasn't an authorized dealer for the Dolmar.

I wonder where I can apply for "THAT" job!!!!!!

 

[ILENGINE]

IL ENG, Thanks. Now let's talk about the fuel injected small engines. We all know motorcycles have had FJ for years. So the few fuel injected small tractor /lawnmower engines run with or without catalytic converters ? Perhaps they are so much cleaner than carburettors they do not yet have cats. Also comment on the exclusion of 2 strokers in CA and how much cleaner the 4 strokers are, if possible.

Kohler has been running FI on some of there engines for about 10 years, and are expanding the line every year. Up until recently it has been the 26 HP and larger, but now have stand alone engines down to 19 HP. I don't think that they are running catalytic convertors yet, but that could change for 2014. 2 strokers are running synthetic mix oil, statified charge intake, and catalytic mufflers now on some if not most systems.

From what I have read the small 4 strokes like you are seeing on trimmers and blowers, are running a lot lower emissions than the compliant 2 strokes, and burning a lot less fuel. Like 30% less fuel than the same size 2 stroke.