Well my wife just took my car for the free re-test...................

The Connecticut testing program provides a free re-test within 30 days if you fail but the re-test must be at the original test station. When I called to make an appointment they were booked thru the end of March. I called the DMV and they made arrangements for me to have the test at another facility near my home. If the re-test fails the state provides a listing of authorized repair shops. Spend $660 at one of these shops, fail again, and you'll get a waiver. Do the repairs yourself and/or go to a shop not on their list and no matter what you spend....no waiver. This scared me since the authorized repair shop near me was a MB dealer.....should have no problem racking up $660 there.

So here's what I did:

1. Went to a Fleet Pride heavy duty truck place near my work. I asked the guys for suggestions. They all pointed to an additive on the shelf called Aviex "Guaranteed to Pass". A can of this stuff costs $10.57 and treats 125 gallons. A note on the can says "pass or double your money". I used this stuff and ran up app. 750 mi. with the treated fuel.

2. I went to a different station for fueling.

3. As some members suggested......I drove it like I stole it.

Bottom line......I PASSED....this time with opacity reading of 8.5% vs. the failed test reading of 21.6%.

I don't know if any of the above items contributed to my passing or this is just an example of variability at the test stations. I do know I'm not going back to the original test facility. Thanks again for all the suggestions.