Not happy with GoNaturalCNG

[rtry9a]

Got raped, thanks Davis County.

Went in to get a ridiculous County mandated 3-year tank inspection on OEM F150 bifuel pickup. Took them 20 min to find someone certified, 5 min to remove cover and look at the tank, 5 min to find the keys (in the ignition) to get mileage to fill out paperwork. COST $75 FLAT FEE!!!

Advice to the next victim- look for a more reasonable business or move to another county to license your cng vehicle.

[afvman]

Re: Not happy with GoNaturalCNG

Man, 5 min to remove the cover and look at the tank??? It takes me 20 min just to clean it so I CAN look at it! I must be doing it wrong???

afvman

[rtry9a]

Re: Not happy with GoNaturalCNG

Yeah, removing 4 easily accessible is a real problem with an air gun. My tank is fully protected with a thick plastic cover- it was clean and untouched, cover probably never has been removed before. Problem is they charged a flat fee, unrelated to the labor involved.

[Highmarker]

Re: Not happy with GoNaturalCNG

Got raped, thanks Davis County.

Advice to the next victim- look for a more reasonable business or move to another county to license your cng vehicle.

This requirement is coming from the Safety Inspection not the Emission Inspection. It is mandated by ALL counties in Utah not just the ones who have Emission Inspections. I charge $75 for a truck or van as well. It takes me an hour to do the inspection.

[rtry9a]

Re: Not happy with GoNaturalCNG

The emissions test in Clearfield is where I was told about the new tank inspection requirement and told to get it before they would pass emissions (after I paid for the emission test, btw). My safety inspection was completed by a mechanic at a Ford dealership before the emissions test- wanted to get a good look at and pass my brakes. That one cost me $150, but mostly to replace a worn out control arm.

You charge $75 because you can- (It might even be justified if it takes a full hour to complete). Truth is, most mechanics grossly overcharge for their labor @ shop rates, NOT for actual time spent. Just because it is common practice does not make it right. Im sure most mechanics would love to charge that much for safety inspections as well if they could, but the State easily saw through that scam and regulated the fees to protect the public.

Jared, just what do you inspect on the tank? Isn't it just a visual check for damage? The normal Utah Safety inspection involves a lot more work and costs much less. IMHO, these extra requirements are a good argument to get rid of a few overpaid agencies who love to regulate beyond reason, and also an argument against going cng unless someone drives a whole lot of miles to justify the extra expense. FWIW, Gasoline is much more dangerous than cng, so long as the tank does not rupture which is not likely if protected and undamaged.

[younkin]

Re: Not happy with GoNaturalCNG

Rtry, Did Go Natural do a Safety Inspection which included a tank inspection? I am just trying to understand your post? Was it a full CSA Inspection? Jim
Blog younkincng.com

[Highmarker]

Re: Not happy with GoNaturalCNG

Jared, just what do you inspect on the tank? Isn't it just a visual check for damage? The normal Utah Safety inspection involves a lot more work and costs much less. IMHO, these extra requirements are a good argument to get rid of a few overpaid agencies who love to regulate beyond reason, and also an argument against going cng unless someone drives a whole lot of miles to justify the extra expense. FWIW, Gasoline is much more dangerous than cng, so long as the tank does not rupture which is not likely if protected and undamaged.

An inspection performed by a CSA certified inspector will include the following:

1) Detailed visual inspection of the tank for damage and compliance with federal regulations and tank manufacturer's requirements
2) Inspection of mounting brackets for damage and proper installation
3) Inspection of high pressure fuel lines for damage and proper installation
4) Inspection of high pressure components (fueling nozzle, high pressure regulator, etc.)
5) Inspection of pressure relief device (PRD) for damage and proper installation

Obviously the main component is the tank, but the CSA inspection is much more than the tank.