Wisconsin Administrative Code › Department of Natural Resources › NR 400-499 - Environmental Protection - Air Pollution Control › Chapter NR 485 - Control of emissions from motor vehicles, internal combustion engines and mobile sources; tampering prohibition › Section NR 485.07 - Inspection requirement for motor vehicle tampering

Current through June 24, 2024
(1) APPLICABILITY.
				This section applies to any motor vehicle which is subject to an air pollution
				control equipment inspection under s.
				110.20(6)
				(b), Stats., or which is inspected for
				tampering of air pollution control equipment.
(2) RECORDS AND COMPLIANCE. DOT or its
				designee shall maintain a record of vehicles failing the tampering inspection
				conducted under either s.
				110.20(6)
				(b), Stats., or any other enforcement
				mechanism. DOT may not register or renew registration of a failed vehicle until
				evidence of repair, replacement or restoration of the failed or missing parts
				is provided to DOT or its designee, and DOT or its designee reinspects the
				vehicle for the failed or missing parts.
(3) FULL TAMPERING INSPECTION PROCEDURE.
(a) Full tampering inspections shall consist
				of a visual check for the presence and proper connection of the following air
				pollution control equipment: the positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) valve and
				connections; the evaporative emissions control canister; the exhaust system
				catalytic converter and oxygen sensor; the exhaust gas recirculation (EGR)
				assembly; the air pump, belts and hoses or the air injector assembly; the fuel
				inlet restricter; a properly seated gas tank fill cap; and the thermostatic air
				cleaner/filter assembly. A vehicle shall fail the tampering inspection if this
				check indicates any evidence of tampering.
(b) Full tampering inspections shall also
				include a visual check of the status and operation of any emission service
				indicator light which has been installed on the motor vehicle by the
				manufacturer prior to sale. A vehicle shall fail the tampering inspection if
				the status of this light indicates an emission malfunction or if the light is
				not operational.
(c) Full tampering
				inspections may also include a test for the presence of lead deposits in the
				tailpipe if the vehicle is required to use unleaded gasoline. Evidence of the
				use of leaded fuel in vehicles requiring the use of unleaded fuel as shown by
				the presence of lead in the tailpipe, the presence of leaded fuel in the gas
				tank or evidence of current or previous tampering with the fuel inlet
				restricter shall constitute tampering with the catalytic converter and the
				exhaust oxygen sensor if the vehicle originally had that equipment. When
				evidence of fuel inlet tampering is found, and a tailpipe lead test indicates
				the absence of lead deposits, DOT or its designee may waive the requirement to
				repair, replace or restore the catalytic converter and oxygen sensor equipment
				if the following conditions are met:
1. A full
				tampering inspection of the vehicle indicates no additional
				tampering.
2. The owner of the
				vehicle provides evidence to DOT or its designee that the catalytic converter
				and oxygen sensor were replaced subsequent to April 1, 1988, or the owner
				provides evidence to DOT or its designee that a previously tampered with but
				partially restored and functional fuel inlet restricter was installed in the
				vehicle prior to or concurrently with the replacement of the catalytic
				converter and oxygen sensor, or DOT or its designee determines that the
				particular vehicle model is on a list of vehicle models that chronically fail
				the fuel inlet restricter test due to improper new vehicle equipment design,
				improper new vehicle equipment installation or normal extended wear.