The jist of this post:
If you live in Washington state, you can pass the emissions test while throwing the code P0431 (and presumably P0421). (My exhaust is stock with all 3 cats)
The wordy version:
My cars been throwing P0431 for the last year and I've been procrastinating taking it into the dealer to have one of the cats replaced under the emissions warranty, December being the last chance for me to get it fixed. Anyway, being in Washington state, we alternate odd/even years for emissions testing for cars older than 5 years old and this was "our" year.
So even while knowing that the code is emissions related, I took it in for testing since it was only $15 and the testing facility is on my way home. I must admit that I was a bit worried about failing but when I "hypothetically" inquired about failing to clerk while paying, he told me that we get one free re-test if we fail the first time. While not a big whoopty-doo, it did ease my mind a bit for the testing itself. The testing itself was 3 minutes and the technician hands me a sheet a paper with the word "Passed"!!! Needless to say, I was stoked that I could procrastinate a half a year longer.
Anyway, for those of you in Washington state that may have similar questions in the future, the code should not be a problem. I have had the SES light (and the code) on (mostly) and off for the the last year and cleared it 1/2 hour before taking it to testing. The SES light was off during testing.
If you live in Washington state, you can pass the emissions test while throwing the code P0431 (and presumably P0421). (My exhaust is stock with all 3 cats)
The wordy version:
My cars been throwing P0431 for the last year and I've been procrastinating taking it into the dealer to have one of the cats replaced under the emissions warranty, December being the last chance for me to get it fixed. Anyway, being in Washington state, we alternate odd/even years for emissions testing for cars older than 5 years old and this was "our" year.
So even while knowing that the code is emissions related, I took it in for testing since it was only $15 and the testing facility is on my way home. I must admit that I was a bit worried about failing but when I "hypothetically" inquired about failing to clerk while paying, he told me that we get one free re-test if we fail the first time. While not a big whoopty-doo, it did ease my mind a bit for the testing itself. The testing itself was 3 minutes and the technician hands me a sheet a paper with the word "Passed"!!! Needless to say, I was stoked that I could procrastinate a half a year longer.
Anyway, for those of you in Washington state that may have similar questions in the future, the code should not be a problem. I have had the SES light (and the code) on (mostly) and off for the the last year and cleared it 1/2 hour before taking it to testing. The SES light was off during testing.