Posted to Emissions Forum on 3/25/2013

A well-done, durable repair.

I'm not trying to beat this point to death, but ...

1) You recognized the spark plug boot, mostly due to your experience in the industry. It is unlikely, although possible, that you saw some lettering on it that gave it away. Is it reasonable for you or anyone else to expect that all honest, competent inspectors would share your keen eye and experience in identifying its true origin?

2) If the spark plug boot (or the OE rubber elbow) was collapsed, torn, or ill-fitting due to swelling, I would have entered 'Fail'. If the spark plug boot (or the OE rubber elbow) was performing its duty of transporting liquid and/or vapor without leaks or restrictions, I would have entered 'Pass'. If you saw sufficient evidence that allowed you to predict that an OE elbow would collapse or leak within the next two years, would you 'Fail' it?

3) STAR has chosen to implement and enforce the FuPR metric, which, as you well know, judges an inspector based on the future performance of the vehicles that he or she inspects and passes. It seems clear that while I might have comparable training and experience to yours, I don't share your skill in predicting the future, and our HUGE difference in FuPR scores confirms it.

Take care, and keep up the good work!

Michael Barry
Technician
Quick Stop Smog & More
Sacramento, California, USA