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crankshaft123 t1_j3lxsdw wrote

It sounds like the shops you've been visiting don't know what they're doing and they don't know the waiver requirements. If your car is "not ready for testing" it automatically fails the emissions test.

Your car should qualify for a waiver, but I can't say for certain w/o seeing your receipts. The trick will be finding a shop that actually employs a Certified Repair Technician, as those are the only people who can issue waivers. This is an additional license on top of the Emissions Inspection license, and only a small fraction of Emissions Inspectors hold both the EEIC (emissions inspector) and FIRST (emissions repair) licenses.

If you actually want to fix the car so it will pass, take a 3 hour trip to Pine Hollow Auto Diagnostics in the State College area. I used to work in Philly, so I knew a bunch of qualified guys in Philly and Delco, but I haven't worked in that area in 15 years. I lost contact with those people years ago. Some have retired. Others are dead.

Ivan at PHAD is the only person I know who is both qualified to diagnose/repair your car and honest.

PHAD contact info

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belleayreski2 OP t1_j3m0i3t wrote

Thank you!

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crankshaft123 t1_j3m40yr wrote

You're welcome.

After replying to your post, it dawned on me that I might know someone nearby who can help you. He teaches PA Inspection and Emissions courses in West Chester. Contact Joe Torchiana at Torchiana Automotive Training Institute in West Chester. 610-420-0879. He should be able to recommend a somewhat local shop who can fix your car and/or issue a waiver.

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