[JGatti]

I'm not one to try and rat someone out or try to get them in trouble. But this guy has to do something about his car.

At least once a week ( sometimes more) I get stuck behind this guy who's car has some serious exhaust issues. I don't even have to see him and I know he is front of me. If I catch up to him the vapors are so strong they give me a headache driving behind him. That's no BS either, it's THAT BAD. He is in front of my for almost 1/2 my trip home and I can't stand it anymore. Tonight I turned off from behind him and took a different ( much longer) route. He drives what looks like an old police car with dual exhaust on it and it spews the worst exhaust I have ever smelled. I'm not talking the rotten egg stink, it's like unburned fuel, carbon, strong kind of stuff like if you have a leak in your pipe right under you in your own car.
Somehow this guy has to get this thing fixed. I've spent many weekends at motocross tracks with 2 stroke engines running all day and even they don't come close to this guy. Any idea's?

[Perferator]

Can you report him? Sure, go ahead. Let us know what happens.

[JGatti]

I guess I left that out. If it's possible how and who would I contact?

[Retroit]

Contact the local police on a non-emergency number.

MICHIGAN VEHICLE CODE (EXCERPT)
Act 300 of 1949

257.707 Muffler, engine, power mechanism, and exhaust system; requirements; prohibitions.

Sec. 707.
(1) A motor vehicle, including a motorcycle or moped, shall at all times be equipped with a muffler in good working order and in constant operation to prevent excessive or unusual noise and annoying smoke. A person shall not remove, destroy, or damage any of the baffles contained in the muffler, nor shall a person use a muffler cutout, bypass, or similar device upon a motorcycle or moped on a highway or street.
(2) The engine and power mechanism of a motor vehicle shall be so equipped and adjusted as to prevent the escape of excessive fumes or smoke.
(3) A motor vehicle shall at all times be equipped with a properly operating exhaust system which shall include a tailpipe and resonator on a vehicle where the original design included a tailpipe and resonator.

History: 1949, Act 300, Eff. Sept. 23, 1949 ;-- Am. 1969, Act 134, Imd. Eff. June 1, 1970 ;-- Am. 1976, Act 44, Imd. Eff. Mar. 17, 1976 ;-- Am. 1976, Act 439, Imd. Eff. Jan. 13, 1977

Michigan Legislature - Section 257.707

[zthatzmanz28]

I know folks have called and reported excessive smoke from diesels. Not sure if its law enforcement of EPA?

[Coldjensens]

Enforcement is difficult and therefore rarely done.


In part it depends on what the substance is. If he has a leaky head gasket and it is steam comoing out, he is not violating anything. If the car is burning oil, he may be cited. If it is just running rich, I am not sure. The worst smell that I have ever encountered is a car that is bruning transmission fluid. If that is what it is, just wait. His car will not be running much longer. It will dies long before they could catch him, test the exhaust, cite him and prosecute him.

Funny, that excerpt is all about mufflers. There must be cone that covers converters, O2 sensors, etc.

[Retroit]

Originally Posted by Coldjensens

Funny, that excerpt is all about mufflers. There must be cone that covers converters, O2 sensors, etc.

I think that the law would cover all systems on the car. Obvious limitation of having the law written by a lawyer and not an auto engineer/mechanic. Mufflers muffle noise, not smoke.

[Coldjensens]

Originally Posted by Retroit

I think that the law would cover all systems on the car. Obvious limitation of having the law written by a lawyer and not an auto engineer/mechanic. Mufflers muffle noise, not smoke.

There must be another law.

Some lawyers are competent around cars. I can rebuild an engine, do a brake job, change out tie rod ends and even manage a tune up. However, I mostly work on older cars. New cars require too many specialty tools and computer equipment. While it is easy to change out a computer module, figuring out which one is malfunctioning is beyond my tools and knowlege.

[Perferator]

Originally Posted by zthatzmanz28

I know folks have called and reported excessive smoke from diesels. Not sure if its law enforcement of EPA?

That's like handing out speeding tickets at the Daytona 500.

[Perferator]

Originally Posted by Coldjensens

There must be another law.

Some lawyers are competent around cars. I can rebuild an engine, do a brake job, change out tie rod ends and even manage a tune up. However, I mostly work on older cars. New cars require too many specialty tools and computer equipment. While it is easy to change out a computer module, figuring out which one is malfunctioning is beyond my tools and knowlege.

"even manage a tune-up"

No kidding. I can build a race engine (and have, still enjoy doing that) but this new stuff.....I'm sure there's an engine in there but I sure cant find it.