Importing an engine for "research" purposes...

[BioHazard]

I've heard little bits and pieces about the EPA possibly letting you use non approved engines for a limited number of hours per year for "research" purposes. I've also been told something about not needing an EPA certificate for "sample" engines.

Does anybody know if there is any way to legally import a non approved diesel, without the risk of it getting confiscated at the border? Even just one?

On that same note, I wonder how viable it would be for somebody to import chinese/indian diesels and retrofit them to meet EPA standards? I think Arrow is doing just that with Indian Petteroids...

[deeiche]

I've heard little bits and pieces about the EPA possibly letting you use non approved engines for a limited number of hours per year for "research" purposes. I've also been told something about not needing an EPA certificate for "sample" engines.

Does anybody know if there is any way to legally import a non approved diesel, without the risk of it getting confiscated at the border? Even just one?

On that same note, I wonder how viable it would be for somebody to import chinese/indian diesels and retrofit them to meet EPA standards? I think Arrow is doing just that with Indian Petteroids...

I have a ChangFa 195 sitting out in the shop.  I purchased it from an outfit which builds marine generators, they periodically sell off the engines they purchased for development purposes.

[mobile_bob]

according to epa regulations, engine's can be imported for research purposes by approved research and development concerns (whatever that means) to do qualified and approved research (again whatever that means) and used for that purpose only for a period of 1 year (iirc it might be 2 years) with a total run time not to exceed 50 hours per year. after which time expires the engine's must be exported back out of the united states or destroyed at a certified collection center where their destruction can be documented and verified, paperwork sent to the epa.

no company can import non certified engines for testing and then turn around and resell them after they are done with them.

if such a company does so, they leave themselves open to huge fines.

that is my reading of the section of the EPA reg's as it relates to research and development.

there likely are exclusions, but those are probably only available on an individual basis and  only if applied for before one imports anything looking like a non approved diesel engine.

these folks don't like diesel engine's,  particularly those of old designs, made by third world countries that are know to have emission issues.

in my opinion, there is no way that they will ever approve a listeroid even for research and development purposes, not under this administration anyway, and likely not under any administration.  its going to be a real stretch to get anyone in the epa to even consider a changfa type, and then only if it is fueled by natgas  or propane.  even then it is going to be a real challenge for a group such as ours.

bob g

[BioHazard]

in my opinion, there is no way that they will ever approve a listeroid even for research and development purposes, not under this administration anyway, and likely not under any administration.  its going to be a real stretch to get anyone in the epa to even consider a changfa type, and then only if it is fueled by natgas  or propane.

Hmmm...I was thinking about the Arrow "K series" engine. It's simply a gas converted Indian Petteroid, isn't it? They claim it is EPA certified. Surely they had to get some "engineering samples" in hand before getting the EPA approval, right?

[mobile_bob]

where the epa will get you is in the details of what a research and development concern is

iirc the wording is something like "only by an approved research and development entity"
this would preclude a individual in my opinion, at least in most cases.

the first step would be to go and get the exact wording of the regulation
then establish an approved research and development entity (company or lab)
then apply for approval of the allowed number of engine's to be imported
then follow the reg's to the letter of the law.

now they might allow the test engine's to be resold "if" they can be tested and approved as being compliant to
whatever tier that is applicable, otherwise they will likely have to be exported back out of the country or destroyed by
a register reclamation center with paperwork forwarded to the epa.

thats how i read it, at least the last time i looked into it, which admittedly was a couple years ago, while that has been a while
my bet is those reg's have not changed to making it easier but likely even tougher.

bob g

[veggie]

Bob,

Don't forget the up front $10,000 deposit and the $2000 per year maintenance fee.
(Meant to keep the "little guy" from wasting their time)

veggie