Re: Catalytic Converter -- RV and Vehicle Q&A

[ Show ]

Support VoyForums

[ Shrink ]

VoyForums Announcement: Programming and providing support for this service has been a labor of love since 1997. We are one of the few services online who values our users' privacy, and have never sold your information. We have even fought hard to defend your privacy in legal cases; however, we've done it with almost no financial support -- paying out of pocket to continue providing the service. Due to the issues imposed on us by advertisers, we also stopped hosting most ads on the forums many years ago. We hope you appreciate our efforts.

Show your support by donating any amount. (Note: We are still technically a for-profit company, so your contribution is not tax-deductible.) PayPal Acct: Feedback:

Donate to VoyForums (PayPal):

[ Login ] [ Contact Forum Admin ] [ Main index ] [ Post a new message ] [ Search | Check update time ]

[ Next Thread | Previous Thread | Next Message | Previous Message ]

Date Posted: 11:00:26 08/26/04 Thu
Author: Margie the Mechanic
Subject: Re: Catalytic Converter
In reply to: Cristina 's message, "Catalytic Converter" on 09:47:36 08/26/04 Thu

Thanks for visiting the forum, Cristina.
The lower prices that you are seeing on the web and from exhaust shops are called 'aftermarket' converters. While the 'original equipment manufactured' (OEM) dealer converter will last a little longer than the aftermarket one, it is my opinion that the vast difference in price does NOT warrant spending for the OEM converter. As a norm, I prefer OEM parts but exhaust parts are an exception.

Here is my advice;
#1---Stay with your mechanic if at all possible. Talk to your mechanic...keep a good relationship with him/her. Tell your mechanic (nicely) that your budget simply does not allow for that kind of money right now. Ask your mechanic if he/she is willing to find you an aftermarket converter more in line with your budget or if he/she is willing to 'sublet'the converter replacement job out to an exhaust shop (Meineke or Midas or ?), mark the price up a few bucks to make it worth their time and proceed with the emmission testing and correction.

Because 'fast food franchises' like Meineke and Midas etc. do large quantities of exhaust work, they can probably do it at a more resonable price. (It would be a good idea if you called them and 'priced' the converter parts and labor and make sure a lower priced aftermarket converter is available in reality and not just in cyberspace:-)

If your mechanic is not interested in 'subletting'the job or using an aftermerket converter, then and only then should you consider taking your car to the Meineke or Midas yourself and if you do, DO NOT go in 'telling them you need a converter'. Go in telling them you failed emissions and let them do their own diagnosis about what repairs will put your car in compliance. Make sure and ask them before going there if they have the equipment to test your emissions and update your sticker.

The danger with these 'fast food franchises' is that they are filled with young kids and they frequently try to "up-sell" you services and tune-ups not related to your present problem (failed emissions). If you go there, make it perfectly clear to them (politly and nicely) that you want the emission problem fixed and ONLY the emission problem fixed and anything they tell you, keep asking them (nicely and politely) to do only the minimum required to bring your car into compliance.

DO NOT go hippy hopping around town having one shop replacing components based on another shops diagnosis. Once the convertor (or whatever) is replaced, the mechanic still needs to check your emissions for compliance...more work may be needed. The emission correction process is 'one step at a time' and while replacement of the convertor may bring your car into compliance, it may only reduce the numbers and more testing or steps may be required...that is why you want to stay with the same mechanic throughout this process.

Do not 'burn your bridge' with your present mechanic...just be honest and tell him/her that your decision to go elsewhere this time is solely based on your budget and that you will see them again for future stuff. (A good mechanic is hard to find!)

Crisitna, I hope this helps. Please let me know how it comes out and if I can help you further. Also, tell your friends and family that they can join the forum and use it anytime I can be of service.

Best Regards,
Margie

[ Next Thread | Previous Thread | Next Message | Previous Message ]