Catalytic converter crisis

[Constitution Hour]

Used converters can be sold for reuse PROVIDED you have the test equipment to test per EPA regulations. Last I saw the equipment and license would run about $1 million so no one wants to do it.

 

[letusbuyyourcar]

Used converters can be sold for reuse PROVIDED you have the test equipment to test per EPA regulations. Last I saw the equipment and license would run about $1 million so no one wants to do it.

Yeah, it's just not worth the time and investment involved. Then when you consider all the cash money the core buyers hand the shop owners for the old ones when they show up most shops just want to cash the old ones in. I've seen a core buyer hand a salvage yard owner just over $6,000 in cash for a load of convertors. When we took over the yard from Mr. Head the new owner thought he was getting a portable building nearly full of convertors but this wasn't the case. Mr. Head was/is slicker than he acted and HE cashed in that $30,000 worth of convertors. The new owner was beside himself and there was actually a meeting of attorneys just about convertors. But there was nothing the new guy could do. It was actually kind of funny.

 

[Constitution Hour]

That is an old sales trick,still works though.

 

[CliffB]

From this thread it appears that fords have a problem with cats, whats up with that? Their emissions systems that delicate?

Ive never had to replace a cat (mostly GM-here we go...), except when I did an engine change on a vehicle and that was simply a precautionary.

Fords have spark plug and COP problems which cause unspent fuel which cause catalytic converter problems.

 

[Gaducker]

Chevy has programing problems in Ls based motors which bring customers into the shop all the time saying there converter is bad when in reality its not the converters fault. A new converter will keep the code clear for a while but not in the long run, not even an eco three will hold the light at bay.

Yall drive one of these and you wont ever have to take an emmisions test.

 

[ARCman47]

I've driven around for 6 months with an engine service idiot light on my dash that I'm told is catalytic converter failure. Ford wants $1500 to replace it. Firestone wants a grand. I'm told that it can be replaced for a whole lot less. Anybody on here capable of replacing a catalytic converter on a 2005 Ford Explorer? Replacing brakes and A/C on my wife's (Chrysler product) car has eaten my lunch but I have till September before the emissions inspection is due.

Go to a legit muffler shop. Dear lord it should be at least half less than what the dealer is wanting if not less

 

[woodstock]

Interesting. I have little experience with Fords since I had the taurus from hell. converter was the ONE thing that wasnt wrong with it

Fords have spark plug and COP problems which cause unspent fuel which cause catalytic converter problems.

 

[Gaducker]

Go to a legit muffler shop. Dear lord it should be at least half less than what the dealer is wanting if not less

I would do that for 725-775 assuming no bolts broke during the removal process and that the car is not a salt ridden rust bucket.

 

[Lockout]

Ford converters are the best. If you are having a cat efficiency code coming up it may not be the converter. There are 20 different things that will cause an efficiency code to pop up. Everything from a vacume leak to the cat being bad. Get a diagnostic from someone good. Not a code reading but an actual diag run. It's not cheap. Usually an hour or two.
Federal law requires converters and computers to be warranty for 8 years or 80,000 miles. Lots of mfg warranty emissions related components for 100,000 and 10 yrs. check your warranty.
Also clear code and drive for 100 miles ( city not highway) then go to emissions station and ask for the pre test for readiness. If it will pass go ahead and test it. Tests are good for 12 months or 1 tag from same owner.
i am a certified master tech and emission inspector. Had my own station for 12 yrs.

Oh, and the aftermarket converters( the cheap ones) will usually only last a year, if that. You will need an OBD II compliant converter if you replace it. Otherwise you are just wasting money.

Vacuum leak would NOT cause cat code it would be system to lean code either bank 1 or 2 or both

 

[Lockout]

Make sure your vehicle is running to par before spending the money fixing cats as your engine can damage new ones