Faulty Catalytic Converter

[TomMurray]

Hi,

 

I failed my MOT on emissions. The Catalytic Converter was a bit rattly and both the garage and I thought this was probably the reason, so it was replaced.

 

Sadly this did not fix the issue, so I tried other things... and more things... then the MOT lapsed so I was without a car, meaning on a couple of occasions I had to hire a car.

 

After a couple of months, I ran out of ideas and took the car to a main dealer who poked and prodded, looked at all the work that had been performed and said the replacement Cat wasn't working. I spoke to the Cat manufacturer themselves, explained the full situation and they agreed it was faulty.

 

I have just had a new Cat fitted and the car passes emissions.

 

My question here is... do I have any chance of getting money for the replacement parts and labour for work that was done (unnecessarily) after the new Cat was fitted. Also the new MOT that needs paying for after my old one lapsed. This totals hundreds of pounds that I would not have had to spend if the original part wasn't faulty.

 

Thanks.

 

 

On a side note the garage were (despite being no good with suggestions as to a fix) were really helpful in letting me bring the car and use the emissions tester many times throughout the few months with no charge.

[f16]

Surely the Cat manufacturer must have some sort of insurane to cover this event

[Stigman]

took the car to a main dealer who poked and prodded, looked at all the work that had been performed and said the replacement Cat wasn't working. I spoke to the Cat manufacturer themselves, explained the full situation and they agreed it was faulty.

 

My question here is... do I have any chance of getting money for the replacement parts and labour for work that was done (unnecessarily) after the new Cat was fitted.

 

Your going to need a report/statement from the Garage or the Mechanic/Technician that reported that the Cat Converter was faulty upon purchase.

 

Send the Cat Converter Company copies (copies only - NEVER send originals) of all invoices including car hire etc.

Send via Recorded Delivery and print off and keep a copy not only of the letter/invoice but also the Royal Mail Track & Trace receipt.

 

Once the Cat Converter Company replies, please post back for further advice.

 

Stigman

[Conniff]

What he said ... ↑

[heliosuk]

I don't think so. It wouldn't have taken much more than an hour with no additional parts to work out it was faulty. One thing to check though is the date of manufacture as after a certain date all cats supplied had to comply with CE regs. This stopped mickey mouse cats being sold which for some time had been a big problem in the aftermarket. Plus the fact, they are only liable for the part, not what you do consequently to the car.

[TomMurray]

I'll send the bits to them and we shall see. But I was thinking the same as Heliosuk really, they are only technically liable for the part so I will struggle and my only hope is goodwill. I posted here in the hope I was wrong!

 

It took a while to work out it was faulty as emissions issues can be from a number of components in the engine, MAP sensor, PCV valve, EVAP, plugs, Dizzy, air leaks, O2 sensor, various temperature sensors, cylinder compression, valve clearances etc etc

 

After the Cat was fitted, it was assumed the new part was okay, so it must be something else. All other avenues were pursued, once they were ruled out we came full circle and looked at the Cat. It cannot be reasonable to suggest that without checking all these you would be able to assume the Cat was faulty after fitting.

 

The car is a 1994 Honda CRX, so is in the annoying years where Cats are mandatory but there is only one O2 sensor, pre-cat. This makes the diagnosis very difficult to do. Also means the garage didn't fit an 'approved' Cat (post 2001 requirement only). But the fact is the supplier still said the model fitted was suitable, so approved by government or not it should still have worked. It is quite a large reputable UK manufacturer of Cats.

[heliosuk]

Never assume a new part is OK especially from aftermarket suppliers. It can happen with OEM stuff as well though but is very rare. Like I said before, if possible check the date stamp and that it has the certification markings. I had exactly the same once but know how to check the items without replacing them so was relatively easy to prove. That's when I found out about the regs and aftermarket parts with regards to cats.