


#HOW TO INSTALL UNIVERSAL CATALYTIC CONVERTER WITHOUT WELDING VERIFICATION#
However, new catalytic converter labeling requirements adopted by the California Air Resource Board (CARB) in 2009 make catalytic converter verification much easier. The worse part was that perfectly good factory parts were often replaced by low quality aftermarket catalytic converters when a simple repair was all that was necessary. Very often those catalytic converters were so cheaply made that they might make it through a smog inspection but not much further down the road. It wasn’t uncommon for people to buy cheap/universal catalytic converters specifically for the purpose of “getting through” a tailpipe emissions test. He was almost proud of the fact that he bought a new catalytic converter every two years. When I first got my smog license, I met a customer who claimed that he made two appointments every two years one with his muffler guy for a new catalytic converter, and one with my boss for a smog inspection. In the past substituting a “bargain cat” for proper repairs was easier to get away with because labeling requirements were unclear, and it was often difficult for smog inspectors to identify incorrect catalytic converter applications. Just throw on a new catalytic converter, right? wrong! Other reasons for catalytic converter replacement include theft, incorrect diagnosis of fault codes, and the far too common practice of attempting to mask emissions control issues with new catalytic converters. Did you know?ĭid you know, that a flashing check engine light usually indicates a sever catalyst damaging misfire that should be repaired without delay? Ignition misfires are especially harmful. However mechanical malfunctions can damage catalytic converters and cause them to fail. If your vehicle is well maintained and in good working order, its catalytic converter(s) should last for the lifetime of the vehicle. For example, the price of platinum on March 9, 2017, was over $947 per troy ounce. All three of these metals are extremely expensive.

Aftermarket Catalytic ConvertersĬatalytic converters contain a slurry of three rare earth metals (Platinum, palladium, and rhodium) that are used to reduce and convert harmful combustion gasses before they enter the atmosphere. Before removing factory original catalytic converters like these, make sure that the vehicle has been properly diagnosed and repaired.
