Experiences with a high flow catalytic converter?

[GroverTheClover]

Anyone?

Yes, I know it may violate the Clean Air Act and it might not be CARB friendly. Since MA no longer requires the sniffer test and relies on OBDII testing, I'm curious to see if anyone has recently passed the emissions test with a high flow cat.

Edit: the cat I am looking for is EPA certified if that helps.. though since MA may be stricter than what the CAA mandates, I'm looking for personal experiences.

[GreenFaith1819]

Well..I cannot answer your question, unfortunately, but maybe you can answer mine:

Do you (or anyone else who reads this) know whether catalytic converters can go "Bad"?

I am having a hard time trusting a dealership.

Dealer "A" claims that mine needs replacing, but when I asked the question at dealer "B", they looked at me told me that Catalytic Converters are designed to last the life of the vehicle.

Dealer "B" even showed me what one looked like - to verify to me that it really is a simple device with little moving parts.


Any takers on this? TPs your way for any advice (only one per hr, though )

[GroverTheClover]

Well..I cannot answer your question, unfortunately, but maybe you can answer mine:

Do you (or anyone else who reads this) know whether catalytic converters can go "Bad"?

I am having a hard time trusting a dealership.

Dealer "A" claims that mine needs replacing, but when I asked the question at dealer "B", they looked at me told me that Catalytic Converters are designed to last the life of the vehicle.

Dealer "B" even showed me what one looked like - to verify to me that it really is a simple device with little moving parts.


Any takers on this? TPs your way for any advice (only one per hr, though )

Cats can go bad just like any other part on your vehicle. You might be able to tell if you have a bad cat if you have a sulfur-ish smell (like rotten eggs), decreased fuel economy (though this could be a number of things), and or less power. Also, a check engine light coupled with the above. (though this could be any emissions related problem).

[GreenFaith1819]

Well..I cannot answer your question, unfortunately, but maybe you can answer mine:

Do you (or anyone else who reads this) know whether catalytic converters can go "Bad"?

I am having a hard time trusting a dealership.

Dealer "A" claims that mine needs replacing, but when I asked the question at dealer "B", they looked at me told me that Catalytic Converters are designed to last the life of the vehicle.

Dealer "B" even showed me what one looked like - to verify to me that it really is a simple device with little moving parts.


Any takers on this? TPs your way for any advice (only one per hr, though )

Cats can go bad just like any other part on your vehicle. You might be able to tell if you have a bad cat if you have a sulfur-ish smell (like rotten eggs), decreased fuel economy (though this could be a number of things), and or less power. Also, a check engine light coupled with the above. (though this could be any emissions related problem).

Thanks for advice

[Chris]

Well..I cannot answer your question, unfortunately, but maybe you can answer mine:

Do you (or anyone else who reads this) know whether catalytic converters can go "Bad"?

I am having a hard time trusting a dealership.

Dealer "A" claims that mine needs replacing, but when I asked the question at dealer "B", they looked at me told me that Catalytic Converters are designed to last the life of the vehicle.

Dealer "B" even showed me what one looked like - to verify to me that it really is a simple device with little moving parts.


Any takers on this? TPs your way for any advice (only one per hr, though )

They absolutely can be bad.  However, as I have learned from experience, a bad 02 sensor (I think thats what it's called) can alert the electronics in your car that there is a problem, that might be the CC.  When this happened to me, I had a mechanic tell me I needed a new CC (which is not cheap), but then I took it to another mechanic for a second opinion, they changed the 02 sensor, and I was good to go. 

[GreenFaith1819]

Well..I cannot answer your question, unfortunately, but maybe you can answer mine:

Do you (or anyone else who reads this) know whether catalytic converters can go "Bad"?

I am having a hard time trusting a dealership.

Dealer "A" claims that mine needs replacing, but when I asked the question at dealer "B", they looked at me told me that Catalytic Converters are designed to last the life of the vehicle.

Dealer "B" even showed me what one looked like - to verify to me that it really is a simple device with little moving parts.


Any takers on this? TPs your way for any advice (only one per hr, though )

They absolutely can be bad.  However, as I have learned from experience, a bad 02 sensor (I think thats what it's called) can alert the electronics in your car that there is a problem, that might be the CC.  When this happened to me, I had a mechanic tell me I needed a new CC (which is not cheap), but then I took it to another mechanic for a second opinion, they changed the 02 sensor, and I was good to go. 

Ah! Thanks Chris..see this is my point here..just what you said.

Like I spoke of earlier in the thread, Dealer "B" stated that just the fact that I was able to drive from Dealer "A" to Dealer "B" and get his advice Without my Check Engine light coming on means that it could not be my C/C.

Dealer "A" charged me a few hundred to do "Work" on my car..the Check Engine light goes off after their work, but only for two days...then it comes back on late last week.

Dealer "B" stated to me that it could not be the C/C..they told me that if it was the C/C, then my car would not have any power to it, after I pressed my foot on the gas. I have not smelled the sulfuric scent that Grovertheclover spoke of, either.

Some places here in Hampton Roads have a habit of trying to take the military to the cleaners and I just want to make sure that's not happening to me. It's almost as if their eyes light up when they see the stickers on my car.

[GreenFaith1819]

So in your case, Chris it was Not the C/C, correct? But an 02 sensor?

[GroverTheClover]

Well..I cannot answer your question, unfortunately, but maybe you can answer mine:

Do you (or anyone else who reads this) know whether catalytic converters can go "Bad"?

I am having a hard time trusting a dealership.

Dealer "A" claims that mine needs replacing, but when I asked the question at dealer "B", they looked at me told me that Catalytic Converters are designed to last the life of the vehicle.

Dealer "B" even showed me what one looked like - to verify to me that it really is a simple device with little moving parts.


Any takers on this? TPs your way for any advice (only one per hr, though )

They absolutely can be bad.  However, as I have learned from experience, a bad 02 sensor (I think thats what it's called) can alert the electronics in your car that there is a problem, that might be the CC.  When this happened to me, I had a mechanic tell me I needed a new CC (which is not cheap), but then I took it to another mechanic for a second opinion, they changed the 02 sensor, and I was good to go. 

Ah! Thanks Chris..see this is my point here..just what you said.

Like I spoke of earlier in the thread, Dealer "B" stated that just the fact that I was able to drive from Dealer "A" to Dealer "B" and get his advice Without my Check Engine light coming on means that it could not be my C/C.

Dealer "A" charged me a few hundred to do "Work" on my car..the Check Engine light goes off after their work, but only for two days...then it comes back on late last week.

Dealer "B" stated to me that it could not be the C/C..they told me that if it was the C/C, then my car would not have any power to it, after I pressed my foot on the gas. I have not smelled the sulfuric scent that Grovertheclover spoke of, either.

Some places here in Hampton Roads have a habit of trying to take the military to the cleaners and I just want to make sure that's not happening to me. It's almost as if their eyes light up when they see the stickers on my car.

Hmm. Sounds like dealer A just reset your CEL. If that's the case, that's really shady if he charged you. Unless it could be a separate CEL related to something completely different. I'd ask him what type of work he performed.

In your situation I would go to your local AutoZone or auto parts store and ask them to pull the CEL (check engine light) code. Most places do it for free since all they do is hook up a cable to your ODBII port. Typically, you can find out what the CEL code is and reference it to determine what the problem is. This way you can compare the pulled code with what dealer A "repaired". CEL's are *almost* always a problem with emissions equipment.

An O2 sensor failure could definitely lead to a CEL or it could be that the O2 sensor is reading some emissions levels that are out of wack that could be caused by a cat failure/defect.

Out of curiosity, what kind of vehicle is it?

[GreenFaith1819]

Well..I cannot answer your question, unfortunately, but maybe you can answer mine:

Do you (or anyone else who reads this) know whether catalytic converters can go "Bad"?

I am having a hard time trusting a dealership.

Dealer "A" claims that mine needs replacing, but when I asked the question at dealer "B", they looked at me told me that Catalytic Converters are designed to last the life of the vehicle.

Dealer "B" even showed me what one looked like - to verify to me that it really is a simple device with little moving parts.


Any takers on this? TPs your way for any advice (only one per hr, though )

They absolutely can be bad.  However, as I have learned from experience, a bad 02 sensor (I think thats what it's called) can alert the electronics in your car that there is a problem, that might be the CC.  When this happened to me, I had a mechanic tell me I needed a new CC (which is not cheap), but then I took it to another mechanic for a second opinion, they changed the 02 sensor, and I was good to go. 

Ah! Thanks Chris..see this is my point here..just what you said.

Like I spoke of earlier in the thread, Dealer "B" stated that just the fact that I was able to drive from Dealer "A" to Dealer "B" and get his advice Without my Check Engine light coming on means that it could not be my C/C.

Dealer "A" charged me a few hundred to do "Work" on my car..the Check Engine light goes off after their work, but only for two days...then it comes back on late last week.

Dealer "B" stated to me that it could not be the C/C..they told me that if it was the C/C, then my car would not have any power to it, after I pressed my foot on the gas. I have not smelled the sulfuric scent that Grovertheclover spoke of, either.

Some places here in Hampton Roads have a habit of trying to take the military to the cleaners and I just want to make sure that's not happening to me. It's almost as if their eyes light up when they see the stickers on my car.

Hmm. Sounds like dealer A just reset your CEL. If that's the case, that's really shady if he charged you.

In your situation I would go to your local AutoZone or auto parts store and ask them to pull the CEL (check engine light) code. Most places do it for free since all they do is hook up a cable to your ODBII port. Typically, you can find out what the CEL code is and reference it to determine what the problem is. CEL's are *almost* always a problem with emissions equipment.

An O2 sensor failure could definitely lead to a CEL or it could be that the O2 sensor is reading some emissions levels that are out of wack that could be caused by a cat failure/defect.

Out of curiosity, what kind of vehicle is it?

2006 Nissan Quest.

[GroverTheClover]

Well..I cannot answer your question, unfortunately, but maybe you can answer mine:

Do you (or anyone else who reads this) know whether catalytic converters can go "Bad"?

I am having a hard time trusting a dealership.

Dealer "A" claims that mine needs replacing, but when I asked the question at dealer "B", they looked at me told me that Catalytic Converters are designed to last the life of the vehicle.

Dealer "B" even showed me what one looked like - to verify to me that it really is a simple device with little moving parts.


Any takers on this? TPs your way for any advice (only one per hr, though )

They absolutely can be bad.  However, as I have learned from experience, a bad 02 sensor (I think thats what it's called) can alert the electronics in your car that there is a problem, that might be the CC.  When this happened to me, I had a mechanic tell me I needed a new CC (which is not cheap), but then I took it to another mechanic for a second opinion, they changed the 02 sensor, and I was good to go. 

Ah! Thanks Chris..see this is my point here..just what you said.

Like I spoke of earlier in the thread, Dealer "B" stated that just the fact that I was able to drive from Dealer "A" to Dealer "B" and get his advice Without my Check Engine light coming on means that it could not be my C/C.

Dealer "A" charged me a few hundred to do "Work" on my car..the Check Engine light goes off after their work, but only for two days...then it comes back on late last week.

Dealer "B" stated to me that it could not be the C/C..they told me that if it was the C/C, then my car would not have any power to it, after I pressed my foot on the gas. I have not smelled the sulfuric scent that Grovertheclover spoke of, either.

Some places here in Hampton Roads have a habit of trying to take the military to the cleaners and I just want to make sure that's not happening to me. It's almost as if their eyes light up when they see the stickers on my car.

Hmm. Sounds like dealer A just reset your CEL. If that's the case, that's really shady if he charged you.

In your situation I would go to your local AutoZone or auto parts store and ask them to pull the CEL (check engine light) code. Most places do it for free since all they do is hook up a cable to your ODBII port. Typically, you can find out what the CEL code is and reference it to determine what the problem is. CEL's are *almost* always a problem with emissions equipment.

An O2 sensor failure could definitely lead to a CEL or it could be that the O2 sensor is reading some emissions levels that are out of wack that could be caused by a cat failure/defect.

Out of curiosity, what kind of vehicle is it?

2006 Nissan Quest.

FWIW, my parents own an Infiniti (essentially a rebranded Nissan) and the emissions warranty is something like 5 years and 50,000 miles. If you're still within the warranty period, they shouldn't charge you to fix it.

[GreenFaith1819]

Well..I cannot answer your question, unfortunately, but maybe you can answer mine:

Do you (or anyone else who reads this) know whether catalytic converters can go "Bad"?

I am having a hard time trusting a dealership.

Dealer "A" claims that mine needs replacing, but when I asked the question at dealer "B", they looked at me told me that Catalytic Converters are designed to last the life of the vehicle.

Dealer "B" even showed me what one looked like - to verify to me that it really is a simple device with little moving parts.


Any takers on this? TPs your way for any advice (only one per hr, though )

They absolutely can be bad.  However, as I have learned from experience, a bad 02 sensor (I think thats what it's called) can alert the electronics in your car that there is a problem, that might be the CC.  When this happened to me, I had a mechanic tell me I needed a new CC (which is not cheap), but then I took it to another mechanic for a second opinion, they changed the 02 sensor, and I was good to go. 

Ah! Thanks Chris..see this is my point here..just what you said.

Like I spoke of earlier in the thread, Dealer "B" stated that just the fact that I was able to drive from Dealer "A" to Dealer "B" and get his advice Without my Check Engine light coming on means that it could not be my C/C.

Dealer "A" charged me a few hundred to do "Work" on my car..the Check Engine light goes off after their work, but only for two days...then it comes back on late last week.

Dealer "B" stated to me that it could not be the C/C..they told me that if it was the C/C, then my car would not have any power to it, after I pressed my foot on the gas. I have not smelled the sulfuric scent that Grovertheclover spoke of, either.

Some places here in Hampton Roads have a habit of trying to take the military to the cleaners and I just want to make sure that's not happening to me. It's almost as if their eyes light up when they see the stickers on my car.

Hmm. Sounds like dealer A just reset your CEL. If that's the case, that's really shady if he charged you.

In your situation I would go to your local AutoZone or auto parts store and ask them to pull the CEL (check engine light) code. Most places do it for free since all they do is hook up a cable to your ODBII port. Typically, you can find out what the CEL code is and reference it to determine what the problem is. CEL's are *almost* always a problem with emissions equipment.

An O2 sensor failure could definitely lead to a CEL or it could be that the O2 sensor is reading some emissions levels that are out of wack that could be caused by a cat failure/defect.

Out of curiosity, what kind of vehicle is it?

2006 Nissan Quest.

FWIW, my parents own an Infiniti (essentially a rebranded Nissan) and the emissions warranty is something like 5 years and 50,000 miles. If you're still within the warranty period, they shouldn't charge you to fix it.

So is that 5 yrs OR 50,000?

Or no more than 50,000 miles on the vehicle?

[GroverTheClover]

Well..I cannot answer your question, unfortunately, but maybe you can answer mine:

Do you (or anyone else who reads this) know whether catalytic converters can go "Bad"?

I am having a hard time trusting a dealership.

Dealer "A" claims that mine needs replacing, but when I asked the question at dealer "B", they looked at me told me that Catalytic Converters are designed to last the life of the vehicle.

Dealer "B" even showed me what one looked like - to verify to me that it really is a simple device with little moving parts.


Any takers on this? TPs your way for any advice (only one per hr, though )

They absolutely can be bad.  However, as I have learned from experience, a bad 02 sensor (I think thats what it's called) can alert the electronics in your car that there is a problem, that might be the CC.  When this happened to me, I had a mechanic tell me I needed a new CC (which is not cheap), but then I took it to another mechanic for a second opinion, they changed the 02 sensor, and I was good to go. 

Ah! Thanks Chris..see this is my point here..just what you said.

Like I spoke of earlier in the thread, Dealer "B" stated that just the fact that I was able to drive from Dealer "A" to Dealer "B" and get his advice Without my Check Engine light coming on means that it could not be my C/C.

Dealer "A" charged me a few hundred to do "Work" on my car..the Check Engine light goes off after their work, but only for two days...then it comes back on late last week.

Dealer "B" stated to me that it could not be the C/C..they told me that if it was the C/C, then my car would not have any power to it, after I pressed my foot on the gas. I have not smelled the sulfuric scent that Grovertheclover spoke of, either.

Some places here in Hampton Roads have a habit of trying to take the military to the cleaners and I just want to make sure that's not happening to me. It's almost as if their eyes light up when they see the stickers on my car.

Hmm. Sounds like dealer A just reset your CEL. If that's the case, that's really shady if he charged you.

In your situation I would go to your local AutoZone or auto parts store and ask them to pull the CEL (check engine light) code. Most places do it for free since all they do is hook up a cable to your ODBII port. Typically, you can find out what the CEL code is and reference it to determine what the problem is. CEL's are *almost* always a problem with emissions equipment.

An O2 sensor failure could definitely lead to a CEL or it could be that the O2 sensor is reading some emissions levels that are out of wack that could be caused by a cat failure/defect.

Out of curiosity, what kind of vehicle is it?

2006 Nissan Quest.

FWIW, my parents own an Infiniti (essentially a rebranded Nissan) and the emissions warranty is something like 5 years and 50,000 miles. If you're still within the warranty period, they shouldn't charge you to fix it.

So is that 5 yrs OR 50,000?

Or no more than 50,000 miles on the vehicle?

I'm pretty sure it's 5 years or 50,000 miles, whichever comes first. Double check your warranty card/driver's manual.

[GreenFaith1819]

Thanks Grover I'll double-check that.

[Chris]

Well..I cannot answer your question, unfortunately, but maybe you can answer mine:

Do you (or anyone else who reads this) know whether catalytic converters can go "Bad"?

I am having a hard time trusting a dealership.

Dealer "A" claims that mine needs replacing, but when I asked the question at dealer "B", they looked at me told me that Catalytic Converters are designed to last the life of the vehicle.

Dealer "B" even showed me what one looked like - to verify to me that it really is a simple device with little moving parts.


Any takers on this? TPs your way for any advice (only one per hr, though )

They absolutely can be bad.  However, as I have learned from experience, a bad 02 sensor (I think thats what it's called) can alert the electronics in your car that there is a problem, that might be the CC.  When this happened to me, I had a mechanic tell me I needed a new CC (which is not cheap), but then I took it to another mechanic for a second opinion, they changed the 02 sensor, and I was good to go. 

Ah! Thanks Chris..see this is my point here..just what you said.

Like I spoke of earlier in the thread, Dealer "B" stated that just the fact that I was able to drive from Dealer "A" to Dealer "B" and get his advice Without my Check Engine light coming on means that it could not be my C/C.

Dealer "A" charged me a few hundred to do "Work" on my car..the Check Engine light goes off after their work, but only for two days...then it comes back on late last week.

Dealer "B" stated to me that it could not be the C/C..they told me that if it was the C/C, then my car would not have any power to it, after I pressed my foot on the gas. I have not smelled the sulfuric scent that Grovertheclover spoke of, either.

Some places here in Hampton Roads have a habit of trying to take the military to the cleaners and I just want to make sure that's not happening to me. It's almost as if their eyes light up when they see the stickers on my car.

Hmm. Sounds like dealer A just reset your CEL. If that's the case, that's really shady if he charged you. Unless it could be a separate CEL related to something completely different. I'd ask him what type of work he performed.

In your situation I would go to your local AutoZone or auto parts store and ask them to pull the CEL (check engine light) code. Most places do it for free since all they do is hook up a cable to your ODBII port. Typically, you can find out what the CEL code is and reference it to determine what the problem is. This way you can compare the pulled code with what dealer A "repaired". CEL's are *almost* always a problem with emissions equipment.

An O2 sensor failure could definitely lead to a CEL or it could be that the O2 sensor is reading some emissions levels that are out of wack that could be caused by a cat failure/defect.

Out of curiosity, what kind of vehicle is it?

Well, in reading up on CC's, I did hear that if you have a bad one, it will cause the 02 sensor to get dirty or something, so even if you get it changed out, and it actually fixes the problem, the sensor will still go off, and trigger the check engine light, just because of the build up of exhaust or something in the sensor.  

So in your case, Chris it was Not the C/C, correct? But an 02 sensor?

Yup, in my case it was just the 02 sensor, even though the first place I took it to tried to tell me it was the CC.

BTW, I was surprised when I realized that the honest guys were at Midas.  I always thought it was the big guys who tried to screw you.

[GreenFaith1819]

Thanks..yeah in my case I am leaning more towards Dealer "B"....