Legal/illegal can change as you cross a county/state line.

In the good state of Texas, tampering with manufacturer's emission system is illegal. Since the emission are Federal laws so most likely that applies through out the United States. Another good state California, has elevated standards but I am sure "tampering" is still applicable.

So if your sensor was relocated/spliced/bridged/biased_with_electrical_info, then it is illegal.

To get it legit, it must be reverted to original or your vehicle must go through the State procedure/process of emission qualification [very different from State inspection]. Manufacturers go through this qualification process before bringing the vehicle to market.

In your case .. is the sensor in the same location ... seems like the tip is moved away and may not be catching the stream of the gas flow. Inspector, who is a stickler to the stated law will most likely make an issue.

My personal philosophy to these type of situation is ... would I buy a vehicle with this set-up or not? If yes, visit another inspection station which is busy and only look at the CEL. Not sure if the reporting is tied and once flagged, it is in the system in IL.

Salim

 

Yup, those o2 sensor spacers are for "Off Road Use Only". I am running 2 of those in my Lexus but had the same exhaust leak where yours is around the o2 sensor due to tiny pinhole leaks all over the place. Bought performance headers, Megan Racing mid Y pipe and 2 o2 spacers to get rid of all those o2 sensor codes.


Are you in Illinois? Does your emission place do visual inspections?

 

All inspectors are "supposed" to look for alterations.

Not my place, but my guess is that OP was given the line from exhaust shop. All the inspection places I go to (near the start of the month) have a long line of cars waiting to be inspected. They just hook up the obdII port. I do have a 95 SC and for that they have to stick a sensor in the tail-pipe. The sticker shop I go to appreciate when I bring the SC near the middle of the month.

Salim

 

We used to have that rolling dyno with a sensor in the exhaust but since 2007, all 1995 and older cars are exempt in Illinois. Every 2 years my local inspection place just checks the mileage and vin and then hooks up a obd 2 plug to their computer which only checks for codes, ready status of certain components and recent code history. No hood popping or visual checks which is something I really like. I hear New York is very bad as well when it comes to this stuff.

In Texas do you have to go for inspections every year or once every few years?

 

It is an annual check. Some counties require the additional 'smog/emnission' test and the list of the ones which do not, has been dwindling. Previously Texans required 2 stickers, Inspection and Road-bridge Tax. Now you get your inspection done and they electronically send the pass status and only then you can get the Road-Tax sticker to validate your tags/license_plate. Some things are hilarious in the test, such as wipers are not required, but if equipped they must be in working order.

In Texas there is supposed to be an assistance program to fix your vehicle to pass the emission test. I know nothing more on how or how much, but it seems the agencies want to clean up the air.

Salim

 

Move to Florida. No State inspection here.

 

Nah. I love to travel and enjoy most of the places, but when I cross state boundary and enter Texas [I think the planes have flight tracker just for me ], it brings joy to me ... a feeling that I have returned to my home. Lot of us feel that we are Texans first and American close second.

Salim