Any Aftermarket Catalytic Converter will pass emission test?

[mhl03]

Originally Posted by marko

dont waste your time with aftermarket cats - they just simply do not work.
unfortunatelly, you'll have to save up & get the OEM cat from the dealer. I know it sucks & that it is super expensive, but there is no way around it - speaking from experience...

Where can I find the cheapest cat outside of going to the dealer?

[L84THSKY]

I bought my DEC CAT from BavAuto less than a year ago. My CEL is still on (Catalytic Efficiency). I'm wondering if I should have an early emissions test done to see if it will pass. I've already replaced the rear O2 sensor, and will replace the front O2 sensor this weekend.

If the car fails emissions, does that guarantee the CAT is the problem?

Originally Posted by nyle

i'm aware of that. the CEL doesnt come on for a few days after i clear it. i don't know how many miles is enough for the test but my mechanic never mentioned it.

[nyle]

well. its all computerized now. (i think with obd II at least, which i see you have). I don't know what the results look like, so i don't know if it lists all the reasons it fails or just a main reason or what. but i DO know that if there is any emissions related CEL that it will fail. like i said, mine wouldnt, and still doesnt, come on until a while after i clear it. I think there are a few things that can fail besides the cat though.

[SDKmann]

Im glad I dont have to deal with emissions testing, that would suck.

[L84THSKY]

Installed new pre O2 sensor this weekend. Hopefully it will clear my "Catalytic Efficiency" CEL. If not I have no idea what to do next. Replaced Cat, and both O2 sensors. Have to wait a few days after resetting code to see if it returns.

[nyle]

I think i remember reading somewhere that the reason we get catalyst efficiency codes is because the core in the oem cat is a really high quality. so when a lower quality core replaces it doesn't do as good of a job, hence the efficiency code. if that made sense. i think i remember that from somewhere.

[L84THSKY]

Can inspection fail you for that code, even if your car passes emissions? I hope I got rid of that code for good. My BavAuto DEC brand catalytic converter has a one year warranty. If the code returns, I'm bringing in the car for a courtesy emissions test, if it fails, I will return the CAT. There has to be an after market CAT that passes emissions.

Originally Posted by nyle

I think i remember reading somewhere that the reason we get catalyst efficiency codes is because the core in the oem cat is a really high quality. so when a lower quality core replaces it doesn't do as good of a job, hence the efficiency code. if that made sense. i think i remember that from somewhere.

[L84THSKY]

Update........

CEL came on, on the way home. I'm sure it is that code. Could the problem be somewhere other that CAT or O2 sensors?

Gonna call Midas and see if they have a CAT that they guarantee will pass. Also gonna get the emissions checked. Not sure if I should contact BavAuto and complain about this. I called in the beginning, and they claim these CATs do not have problems.

[roadrash]

Originally Posted by L84THSKY

Gonna call Midas and see if they have a CAT that they guarantee will pass.

I had Midas replace my cat-converter a few weeks ago. They mentioned that they're now using an "updated" version that's a little bigger than the previous one. So far, no CEL's. Granted, it's only been few weeks, but my previous cat (also a Midas unit) started triggering CEL's (P0420, I think) after about 6 months. Also... both were Magnaflow units.

So, yeah... Midas is worth at least checking out.

[nyle]

yeah let me know what happens with midas. my cat had passed emissions (PA) without problems. the CEL is just a bmw standard that fails. but i think they CAN fail you for inspection with that since it is technically a car failure. i dont know if you have any friends that have inspection licenses, i would ask them. i might be able to ask my gf's dad.

[L84THSKY]

How much was the CAT from Midas? What is there guarantee, does it cover the cost of replacement?

I've heard the Magna Flow Cat's don't work.

Originally Posted by roadrash

I had Midas replace my cat-converter a few weeks ago. They mentioned that they're now using an "updated" version that's a little bigger than the previous one. So far, no CEL's. Granted, it's only been few weeks, but my previous cat (also a Midas unit) started triggering CEL's (P0420, I think) after about 6 months. Also... both were Magnaflow units.

So, yeah... Midas is worth at least checking out.

[L84THSKY]

Someone recently said that even if I cleared the CEL, they could tell it was recently cleared, is that true. Even if they can tell I recently cleared it, if the light is off, and the car passes, does it really matter?

Originally Posted by nyle

yeah let me know what happens with midas. my cat had passed emissions (PA) without problems. the CEL is just a bmw standard that fails. but i think they CAN fail you for inspection with that since it is technically a car failure. i dont know if you have any friends that have inspection licenses, i would ask them. i might be able to ask my gf's dad.

[roadrash]

I'm 2000 miles away from my receipts, but I THINK it was roughly $385 for the cat and labor. It was guaranteed for 5 years and 50,000 miles. That covered parts, but not labor, so when I had it replaced, it cost something like $200, but that included a $70 fee for "diagnostic services" that they did before they'd replace the cat.

[ATF]

Originally Posted by L84THSKY

Someone recently said that even if I cleared the CEL, they could tell it was recently cleared, is that true. Even if they can tell I recently cleared it, if the light is off, and the car passes, does it really matter?

I believe there's a pending codes list. So if the CEL is reset, it will show up as 1 pending code, then show up the next time the engine starts.

[nyle]

Originally Posted by ATF

I believe there's a pending codes list. So if the CEL is reset, it will show up as 1 pending code, then show up the next time the engine starts.

Yeah. Well, the problem is that if you clear the catalyst efficiency code then you clear everything. The emissions tests now work on data collected over so many miles (not sure on an exact figure). So when you clear codes it clears out the collected data too, so the emissions test comes up inconclusive and they tell you to drive it for so many miles and then get it re-tested. When I got my car inspected last november I cleared my codes a couple days before. I got lucky. Emissions and inspection both passed.. the code came on within a mile of driving home from the shop i took it to.