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.

Very nice! Does the test consist of them flooring the car with it in neutral/park? If so, the reason why you originially failed is probably because of soot built up in the exhaust, which the italian tune-ups cleared out.

I'm glad to hear that it passed without you spending hundreds of dollars.