[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 40, Volume 14]
[Revised as of July 1, 2002]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 40CFR85.2122]

[Page 588-592]
 
                   TITLE 40--PROTECTION OF ENVIRONMENT
 
         CHAPTER I--ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY (CONTINUED)
 
PART 85--CONTROL OF AIR POLLUTION FROM MOBILE SOURCES--Table of Contents
 
Subpart V--Emissions Control System Performance Warranty Regulations and 
            Voluntary Aftermarket Part Certification Program
 
Sec. 85.2122  Emission-critical parameters.

    (a) The following parts may be certified in accordance with 
Sec. 85.2114(b):

[[Page 589]]

    (1) Carburetor Vacuum Break (Choke Pull-Off). (i) The emission-
critical parameters for carburetor vacuum breaks are:
    (A) Diaphragm Displacement.
    (B) Timed Delay.
    (C) Modulated Stem Displacement.
    (D) Modulated Stem Displacement Force.
    (E) Vacuum Leakage.
    (ii) For the purposes of this paragraph:
    (A) ``Diaphragm Displacement'' means the distance through which the 
center of the diaphragm moves when activated. In the case of a non-
modulated stem, diaphragm displacement corresponds to stem displacement.
    (B) ``Timed Delay'' means a delayed diaphragm displacement 
controlled to occur within a given time period.
    (C) ``Modulated Stem Displacement'' means the distance through which 
the modulated stem may move when actuated independent of diaphragm 
displacement.
    (D) ``Modulated Stem Displacement Force'' means the amount of force 
required at start and finish of a modulated stem displacement.
    (E) ``Vacuum Leakage'' means leakage into the vacuum cavity of a 
vacuum break.
    (F) ``Vacuum Break'' (``Choke Pull-off'') means a vacuum-operated 
device to open the carburetor choke plate a predetermined amount on cold 
start.
    (G) ``Modulated Stem'' means a stem attached to the vacuum break 
diaphragm in such a manner as to allow stem displacement independent of 
diaphragm displacement.
    (H) ``Vacuum Purge System'' means a vacuum system with a controlled 
air flow to purge the vacuum system of undesirable manifold vapors.
    (2) Carburetor Choke Thermostats. (i) The emission-critical 
parameters for all Choke Thermostats are:
    (A) Thermal Deflection Rate.
    (B) Mechanical Torque Rate.
    (C) Index Mark Position.
    (ii) The emission-critical parameters for Electrically-Heated Choke 
Thermostats are:
    (A) Those parameters set forth in paragraph (a)(2)(i) of this 
section
    (B) Time to rotate coil tang when electrically energized
    (C) Electrical circuit resistance
    (D) Electrical switching temperature
    (iii) For the purpose of this paragraph:
    (A) ``Choke'' means a device to restrict air flow into a carburetor 
in order to enrich the air/fuel mixture delivered to the engine by the 
carburetor during cold-engine start and cold-engine operation.
    (B) ``Thermostat'' means a temperature-actuated device.
    (C) ``Electrically-heated Choke'' means a device which contains a 
means for applying heat to the thermostatic coil by electrical current.
    (D) ``Thermostatic Coil'' means a spiral-wound coil of thermally-
sensitive material which provides rotary force (torque) and/or 
displacement as a function of applied temperature.
    (E) ``Thermostatic Switch'' means an element of thermally-sensitive 
material which acts to open or close an electrical circuit as a function 
of temperature.
    (F) ``Mechanical Torque Rate'' means a term applied to a 
thermostatic coil, defined as the torque accumulation per angular degree 
of deflection of a thermostatic coil.
    (G) ``Thermal Deflection Rate'' means the angular degrees of 
rotation per degree of temperature change of the thermostatic coil.
    (H) ``Index or Index Mark'' means a mark on a choke thermostat 
housing, located in a fixed relationship to the thermostatic coil tang 
position to aid in assembly and service adjustment of the choke.
    (I) ``PTC Type Choke Heaters'' means a positive termperature 
coefficient resistant ceramic disc capable of providing heat to the 
thermostatic coil when electrically energized.
    (3) Carburetor Accelerator Pumps. (i) The emission-critical 
parameter for accelerator pumps (plungers or diaphragms) is the average 
volume of fuel delivered per stroke by the pump within prescribed time 
limits.
    (ii) For the purpose of this paragraph an ``Accelerator Pump 
(Plunger or Diaphragm)'' means a device used to provide a supplemental 
supply of fuel during increasing throttle opening as required.

[[Page 590]]

    (4) Positive Crankcase Ventilation (PCV) Valves. (i) The emission-
critical parameter for a PCV valve is the volume of flow as a function 
of pressure differential across the valve.
    (ii) For the purposes of this paragraph a ``PCV Valve'' means a 
device to control the flow of blow-by gasses and fresh air from the 
crankcase to the fuel induction system of the engine.
    (5) Breaker Points. (i) The emission-critical parameters for breaker 
points are:
    (A) Bounce.
    (B) Dwell Angle.
    (C) Contact Resistance.
    (ii) For the purposes of this paragraph:
    (A) ``Breaker Point'' means a mechanical switch operated by the 
distributor cam to establish and interrupt the primary ignition coil 
current.
    (B) ``Bounce'' means unscheduled point contact opening(s) after 
initial closure and before scheduled reopening.
    (C) ``Dwell Angle'' means the number of degrees of distributor 
mechanical rotation during which the breaker points are conducting 
current.
    (D) ``Contact Resistance'' means the opposition to the flow of 
current between the mounting bracket and the insulated terminal.
    (6) Capacitors/Condensers. (i) The emission-critical parameters for 
capacitors/condensers are:
    (A) Capacitance.
    (B) Series Resistance.
    (C) Breakdown Voltage.
    (ii) For the purposes of this paragraph:
    (A) ``Capacitance'' means the property of a device which permits 
storage of electrically-separated charges when differences in electrical 
potential exist between the conductors and measured as the ratio of 
stored charge to the difference in electrical potential between 
conductors.
    (B) ``Series Resistance'' means the sum of resistances from the 
condenser plates to the condenser's external connections.
    (C) ``Breakdown Voltage'' means the voltage level at which the 
capacitor fails.
    (D) ``Capacitor/Condenser'' means a device for the storage of 
electrical energy consisting of two oppositely charged conducting plates 
separated by a dielectric and which resists the flow of direct current.
    (7) Distributor Caps and/or Rotors. (i) The emission-critical 
parameters for distributor caps and/or rotors are:
    (A) Physical and Thermal Integrity.
    (B) Dielectric Strength.
    (C) Flashover.
    (ii) For the purposes of this paragraph:
    (A) ``Flashover'' means the discharge of ignition voltage across the 
surface of the distributor cap and/or rotor rather than at the spark 
plug gap.
    (B) ``Dielectric Strength'' means the ability of the material of the 
cap and/or rotor to resist the flow of electric current.
    (C) ``Physical and Thermal Integrity'' means the ability of the 
material of the cap and/or rotor to resist physical and thermal 
breakdown.
    (8) Spark Plugs. (i) The emission critical parameters for spark 
plugs are:
    (A) Heat Rating.
    (B) Gap Spacing.
    (C) Gap Location.
    (D) Flashover.
    (E) Dielectric Strength.
    (ii) For the purposes of this paragraph:
    (A) ``Spark Plug'' means a device to suitably deliver high tension 
electrical ignition voltage to the spark gap in the engine combustion 
chamber.
    (B) ``Heat Rating'' means that measurement of engine indicated mean 
effective pressure (IMEP) value obtained on the engine at a point when 
the supercharge pressure is 25.4mm (one inch) Hg below the preignition 
point of the spark plug, as rated according to SAE J549A Recommended 
Practice.
    (C) ``Gap Spacing'' means the distance between the center electrode 
and the ground electrode where the high voltage ignition arc is 
discharged.
    (D) ``Gap Location'' means the position of the electrode gap in the 
combustion chamber.
    (E) ``Dielectric Strength'' means the ability of the spark plug's 
ceramic insulator material to resist electrical breakdown.
    (F) ``Flashover'' means the discharge of ignition voltage at any 
point other than at the spark plug gap.

[[Page 591]]

    (9) Inductive System Coils. (i) The emission-critical parameters for 
inductive system coils are:
    (A) Open Circuit Voltage Output.
    (B) Dielectric Strength.
    (C) Flashover.
    (D) Rise Time.
    (ii) For the purposes of this paragraph:
    (A) ``Coil'' means a device used to provide high voltage in an 
inductive ignition system.
    (B) ``Flashover'' means the discharge of ignition voltage across the 
coil.
    (C) ``Dielectric Strength'' means the ability of the material of the 
coil to resist electrical breakdown.
    (D) ``Rise Time'' means the time required for the spark voltage to 
increase from 10% to 90% of its maximum value.
    (10) Primary Resistors. (i) The emission-critical parameter for 
primary resistors is the DC resistance.
    (ii) For the purpose of this paragraph, a ``Primary Resistor'' means 
a device used in the primary circuit of an inductive ignition system to 
limit the flow of current.
    (11) Breaker Point Distributors. (i) The emission-critical 
parameters for breaker point distributors are:
    (A) Spark Timing.
    (1) Centrifugal Advance Characteristics.
    (2) Vacuum Advance Characteristics.
    (B) Dwell Angle.
    (C) Breaker point contact operation.
    (D) Electrical resistance to ground.
    (E) Capacity for compatibility with generally available original 
equipment and certified replacement parts listed in Sec. 85.2112(a) (5), 
(6), (7), and (9).
    (ii) For the purposes of this paragraph:
    (A) ``Distributor'' means a device for directing the secondary 
current from the induction coil to the spark plugs at the proper 
intervals and in the proper firing order.
    (B) ``Distributor Firing Angle'' means the angular relationship of 
breaker point opening from one opening to the next in the firing 
sequence.
    (C) ``Dwell Angle'' means the number of degrees of distributor 
mechanical rotation during which the breaker points are capable of 
conducting current.
    (12) Engine Valves. [Reserved]
    (13) Camshafts. [Reserved]
    (14) Pistons. [Reserved]
    (15) Oxidizing Catalytic Converter. (i) The emission-critical 
parameters for oxidizing catalytic converters are:
    (A) Conversion Efficiency.
    (B) Light-off Time.
    (C) Mechanical and Thermal Integrity.
    (ii) For the purposes of this paragraph including the relevant test 
procedures in the Appendix:
    (A) ``Catalytic Converter'' means a device installed in the exhaust 
system of an internal combustion engine that utilizes catalytic action 
to oxidize hydrocarbon (HC) and carbon monoxide (CO) emissions to carbon 
dioxide (CO2) and water (H2O).
    (B) ``Conversion Efficiency'' means the measure of the catalytic 
converter's ability to oxidize HC/CO to CO2/H2O 
under fully warmed-up conditions stated as a percentage calculated by 
the following formula:
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TC15NO91.093

    (C) ``Light-off Time'' or ``LOT'' means the time required for a 
catalytic converter (at ambient temperature 68-86 [deg]F) to warm-up 
sufficiently to convert 50% of the incoming HC and CO to CO2 
and H2 O.
    (D) ``Peak Air Flow'' means the maximum engine intake mass air flow 
rate measure during the 195 second to 202 second time interval of the 
Federal Test Procedure.
    (E) ``Feed Gas'' means the chemical composition of the exhaust gas 
measured at the converter inlet.
    (F) ``Aged Catalytic Converter'' means a converter that has been 
installed on a vehicle or engine stand and operated thru a cycle 
specifically designed to chemically age, including exposure to 
representative lead concentrations, and mechanically stress the 
catalytic converter in a manner representative of in-use vehicle or 
engine conditions.
    (G) ``Mechanical and Thermal Intergrity'' means the ability of a 
converter to continue to operate at its previously determined efficiency 
and light-off time and be free from exhaust leaks when subject to 
thermal and mechanical stresses representative of the intended 
application.

[[Page 592]]

    (16) Air Cleaner Filter Element. (i) The emission-critical 
parameters for Air Cleaner Filter Elements are:
    (A) Pressure drop.
    (B) Efficiency.
    (ii) For the purpose of this paragraph:
    (A) ``Air Cleaner Filter Element'' means a device to remove 
particulates from the primary air that enters the air induction system 
of the engine.
    (B) ``Pressure Drop'' means a measure, in kilopascals, of the 
difference in static pressure measured immediately upstream and 
downstream of the air filter element.
    (C) ``Efficiency'' means the ability of the air cleaner or the unit 
under test to remove contaminant.
    (17) Electronic Inductive Ignition System and Components. [Reserved]
    (18) Electronic Inductive Distributors. [Reserved]
    (b) Additional part standards. [Reserved]

[45 FR 78462, Nov. 25, 1980, as amended at 54 FR 32593, Aug. 8, 1989]