Kwik Katalytic Konverter Kwestion

[widebody911]

(forgive the forced alliteration)

One of my wife's friends was looking at buying a $500 2000 Nissan Sentra that "only needs a new cat in order to smog" Yeah, right.

They were quoted $800 + labor by the dealer, and they were told that due to California law, only the dealer can install new catalytic converters.

I found one for $160 in a 30s google search, but I'd never heard the "dealer-only" line. Is there any truth to that?

In either case, I suggested they not buy the car. It hadn't been registered in 4 years (allegedly due to the cat) and the owner allegedly had sunk $4k into other "improvements and fixes" but got "tired" of the car. It has 150k on it, and oh, it needs tires, too. The friend's husband doesn't have a wrench to his name and would probably hurt himself if he got a hold of one.

[genrex]

I agree, a Nissan Sentra that's been sitting for 4 years has many problems, real and potential, and is not a candidate for a daily driver.

But it seems crazy that in California, only *dealerships* can install catalytic converters. Could that possibly be true? Up here in Washington, there are many muffler shops that install aftermarket and OEM catalytic converters.

_

[Zeke]

No, it's not dealer only, but the part can no longer be some generic replacement. What they want is OEM stuff. It's OK if the replacement has a CARB cert, it can be used.

For instance, an OEM cat for a 911 is like 1500. You can buy a CARB approved model for a third of that. You can buy a 49 state model for less than 200.

[widebody911]

These people don't have a lot of cash, and I suspect they can't see past the $500 point-of-entry.

[Noah930]

Don't know the exact answer to your question (can only a dealer do the replacement?), but FWIW, in CA it's the seller's responsibility to smog the car prior to sale. So--to a certain extent--this is not your friend's problem. Realistically, looking at the costs involved (replacing a cat in a $500 car), I'd say keep looking.

Man, not a single one of those words in your thread title actually starts with a K.

[slodave]

I have to replace the cat in my Toyota at the end of the year. Toyota wants $1,200 for the entire cat/pipes/muffler from the engine back. They don't just sell a converter. A mechanic told me to just go to this muffler shop close by and they'd install a legal aftermarket one for $150. It's good for about 2 years, or I can spend a little more and get a better one.

It doesn't seem like you have to get it through the dealer. No way I am.

[Nostril Cheese]

100% not true about dealers installing cats in CA.

[Joe Bob]

Dealers HAVE to sell a smogged ride....not just smoggable, one that has passed. As to the cat, most need to have a cat that a CARB executive order stamped on it. Unless there is a waiver for that car, model or other crud someone can document.

[red-beard]

Originally Posted by widebody911

(forgive the forced alliteration)

One of my wife's friends was looking at buying a $500 2000 Nissan Sentra that "only needs a new cat in order to smog" Yeah, right.

They were quoted $800 + labor by the dealer, and they were told that due to California law, only the dealer can install new catalytic converters.

I found one for $160 in a 30s google search, but I'd never heard the "dealer-only" line. Is there any truth to that?

In either case, I suggested they not buy the car. It hadn't been registered in 4 years (allegedly due to the cat) and the owner allegedly had sunk $4k into other "improvements and fixes" but got "tired" of the car. It has 150k on it, and oh, it needs tires, too. The friend's husband doesn't have a wrench to his name and would probably hurt himself if he got a hold of one.

I think California Law is it has to SMOG before the sale, not after...

[widebody911]

Originally Posted by Noah930

but FWIW, in CA it's the seller's responsibility to smog the car prior to sale. So--to a certain extent--this is not your friend's problem. Realistically, looking at the costs involved (replacing a cat in a $500 car), I'd say keep looking.

Yes, that's another part of the deal that stinks which I forgot to mention. The guy wants to sell the car as a "parts car" to get around the smog. I know about the pre-sale smog, but I had never heard the "dealer must install the cat" thing before.

[968rz]

I would be worried about what caused the cat to fail; they can just go bad by themselves but a lot of the time something else is wrong that caused the engine to run poorly thus contaminating the cat.

[Joe Bob]

A car can sit on a lot w/o smog and DMV penalty....it has to be smogged before delivery. To be sold as parts it has to go through a dismantler's licensee.

The title gets a salvage stamp and is surrendered....can't be sold w/o inspection.

[rick-l]

Get the OBD codes read.

[Zeke]

Originally Posted by widebody911

Yes, that's another part of the deal that stinks which I forgot to mention. The guy wants to sell the car as a "parts car" to get around the smog. I know about the pre-sale smog, but I had never heard the "dealer must install the cat" thing before.

Well, you now know the deal about the cat and the dealer. AFA selling the car as a "parts" car, that does not skirt the issue. No title can be issued w/o the smog test. I think there is a form where the seller can sell the car as scrap to a private party, but he surrenders the title. It now becomes a "salvageable" vehicle. Getting back a title at that point is a much bigger process. I know, my truck is a salvage title. I fixed it but had to have light and brake inspections at an inspection station along with a 30 minute general scrutiny at the DMV.

The economics of owning a used car have changed. I just put 4 grand into a 10 grand Boxster. I did ask the wife if she really liked the car before doing that. I would have dumped it. 14K would have made a lot of lease payments.

[sammyg2]

I'd tell em to run forest run.

[widebody911]

I've told them to run, but it sounds like they still might pull the trigger, as the $500 price is just too tempting. Sadly, these are people that have made a number of poor decisions throughout their lives, which is one of the reasons they're at the point where a $500 car looks tempting.

[kaisen]

Just tell them to move to a state that doesn't smog a 2000.....done!

[john70t]

It depends on the vehicle and history, but in general buying this car might lead to much more than $500. The timing belt, water pump, shocks, muffler, etc are probably all due for replacement and that's a $4,000 car right there.

The seller might still be able to get an inexpensive "pre-test" which doesn't plug the i.d. into the system.
From there, look at the numbers before buying.
-High CO= running rich/oil, and cat cannot turn it into H2O+CO2.
-High HC=raw gas, bad timing, and same for cat.
-High NOX=created above 2500degF indicates running hot/lean, bad timing, carbon buildup.

Put a vacuum gauge on the manilfold:
-wandering=mixture
-bouncing=valves
-low=timing or other permanent engine compression/exhaust problem.

One thing to note: a clogged cat leads to burnt valves.

[widebody911]

I've already explained to them in no uncertain terms to stay the hell away from this car. It's a "friend" who's trying to unload it. I'll keep y'all updated with the story.

[john70t]

Originally Posted by widebody911

It's a "friend" who's trying to unload it.

What was that saying.....Never go into business with friends or family?