The catalytic converter should last the lifetime of the car if the engine is operating properly. When it malfunctions, too much raw fuel frequently enters the converter as a result of an engine that isn’t firing properly. The catalyst can become coated with too much unburned gasoline, which will prohibit the converter from operating. Additionally, the converter runs the risk of overheating, internal breakdown, and plugging or restriction.
The vehicle’s emissions guarantee, which goes beyond the factory warranty from the manufacturer, covers the catalytic converter. Federal law requires manufacturers to replace a faulty converter for up to 15 years or 150,000 miles together with other pollution control systems. For details on your warranty, which differ depending on the state you’re in and the kind of car you have, consult your owner’s handbook.
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Does the warranty cover the catalytic converter?
To put it simply, a car’s catalytic converter is typically not a component covered by an extended auto warranty or vehicle service contract, making replacement costly.
Catalytic converters are essential to a vehicle’s emissions system, thus even though they are not covered by a warranty, they are covered by the Federal Emissions Warranty as part of the Clean Air Act. This protection will cover the cost of a replacement if your catalytic converter is stolen for up to 8 years/80,000 miles of failure in your vehicle. However, your auto insurance company ought to pay for theft or damage brought on by an accident or bad weather.
With a comprehensive auto protection package like EnduranceAdvantageTM, you can shield your car against unforeseen breakdowns and repair costs. You may feel secure knowing that other essential parts of your car, including the engine and transmission, are covered and that you won’t have to pay for repairs out of pocket. Additionally, you are entitled to free basic maintenance repairs worth up to $3,500, including things like free tire rotations and oil and filter changes.
How long is the replacement catalytic converter’s warranty?
The guarantee on the converter shell and end pipes for brand-new aftermarket converters must last for five years and 50,000 miles. Additionally, when the car is utilized and maintained properly, they must be warranted to fulfill EPA emission performance standards for 25,000 miles.
What does the Kia warranty not cover?
The following items are excluded from the KIA New Vehicle Warranty: As a result of normal wear and tear, replenishing or replacing oil, fluids, coolant, wiper blades, fan belts, filters, brake and clutch linings, spark plugs, light globes, gaskets, and so forth.
How long is a catalytic converter’s warranty good for?
My 2010 Honda CR-V is for sale. Its check engine light illuminated last month. I’m a retired mechanic, and I used my diagnostic scanner to discover the P0420 fault code, which denotes a problem with the catalytic converter’s effectiveness. I used a cleaning for catalytic converters. For about two weeks, it provided a solution, but then the light turned on again. The oxygen sensor was then changed, but the issue persisted. I did discover that the code vanishes after traveling between 60 and 100 miles by car. But a few days later, it returns once more. Do you have any other solutions for this issue? changing out the converter?
A: No. The converter itself is actually not fast enough during its test cycle while driving, as shown by the P0420 error code. The light turns off, but the code is saved if the system does not detect this loss of efficiency for two more driving cycles. This is the cycle that you are going through.
Therefore, a new catalytic converter is required. According to the stated terms of the federal emissions warranty, automakers must guarantee the performance of the converter for eight years or 80,000 miles, whichever comes first. Your Honda should be covered by the emissions warranty if it has less than 80,000 miles on the odometer.
- My 2003 Saab 9-3 convertible is for sale. My automobile will occasionally not turn over or start. When I travel short distances, such to the neighborhood grocery shop, it happens. The car won’t start after a 15-minute visit in the store. After waiting for 15 to 20 minutes, it usually starts after that. It had to be hauled to the shop once. They replaced it after claiming that it was the starter. After two weeks, the issue reappeared.
The store is done. Everything else in the automobile, including the convertible top, continues to function even when the car won’t start. I would be grateful for any advice you may have.
A: It appears that the shop only paid attention to the starter motor. However, for the starter to work effectively, battery power must pass through little to no resistance and reach the starter motor. A Saab service notice with the number 331-2628 dated October 2006 that I found using my car database mentions rust on the battery cable connection to the starting motor as a potential cause. Unexpectedly, the fix entails cutting and rebuilding connections at the starter motor, alternator, and fuse block. It appears that moisture can get inside and damage some of these connections, causing the starter motor’s battery voltage to become unstable.
My 5.7-liter V-8 1997 GMC Sierra 2500 is giving me fits. When it starts, it frequently runs smoothly the entire day. The following morning, it will start and function normally for 30 seconds before failing. It resets but keeps repeating the same action. It had to be towed twice for me. When it was operating, however, my code reader read “EGR decel fail. According to what I’ve read and heard about exhaust gas recirculation issues, the car will miss and run erratically. When mine is running, it works great. Any thoughts?
A: Although it may be difficult, try not to concentrate solely on the exhaust gas recirculation system. Other potential causes include stuck sequential fuel injectors, a loss of fuel pressure, contaminated fuel, etc.
The EGR valve will introduce too much exhaust gas into the incoming air-fuel combination if it becomes stuck in the completely open position. This can result in surges, a poor idle, and engine stalls. To precisely control exhaust recirculation, the EGR valve incorporates a control module that delivers input, somewhat like to an oxygen sensor’s job. Since the EGR valve needs a 12-volt signal from the powertrain control module to open, it can be mechanically stuck or bound. Try tapping the EGR valve, which is situated on the upper front of the engine, very gently and cautiously during one of these stalling periods.
How can I tell whether the warranty on my catalytic converter has expired?
Contacting your local dealer is the quickest way to learn if an emission component is covered by warranty. The dealer can research warranty details, including any further guarantees that might have been added to the car after it was built.
What is the price of a new catalytic converter?
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What is the turnaround time for a catalytic converter replacement?
Maybe you’ve observed that your car isn’t running smoothly anymore. Your fuel efficiency seems to be less than typical. Even a bad stench coming from the exhaust could be detected. It is obvious because the check engine light is also on. It’s time to start planning the replacement of your catalytic converter right now. Cost is important because, depending on the make, the part alone can cost anywhere from under $100 to $2,000 or more.
You stay near the lower end of the range if your vehicle is an older model or a diesel. The north end can be reached by a more recent vehicle, such as a Toyota SUV. Fortunately, because less time is required, the labor cost is lower.
DIY or Get It Repaired?
The part itself accounts for the majority of the expense of replacing your catalytic converter. It is one of those things that could make the job unworkable. That may influence your decision to forego it and look at new car or used truck prices instead.
Usually, getting there doesn’t take much effort. The component is right there in plain view because it is situated between the exhaust manifold and the muffler. Usually, the repair takes less than an hour. Depending on how it’s attached to the vehicle, you can either do it or you can’t.
Many automakers will weld components into place. The catalytic converter replacement process will probably take longer if yours is OEM. To make the repair, the old one will need to be removed using a Sawzall. Where the rubber hits the road is there. If you have the necessary equipment and knowledge, you can complete the task and save yourself about $100 on labor.
A catalytic converter may be bolted into place on some cars. It now falls under the DIY category. The likelihood of the hardware being rusty increases the difficulty of the repair. Using penetrating oil, the job can be completed quickly. However, if a bolt breaks or you are unable to remove them, you are left at a loss and must return to the store.
Do You Have to Replace It?
You must understand what a catalytic converter is and how it functions in order to respond to this question.
The catalytic converter is cleverly designed. It’s not a big component. The efficiency of the system is increased by the inside walls’ honeycomb design, which expands the surface area that comes into touch with the hazardous emissions. They are extremely costly because they include valuable metals like platinum or unique oxidation catalysts.
This element is crucial to the exhaust system of your car. The combustion of fossil fuels like gasoline and diesel is a major contributor to the release of noxious gases and greenhouse gas emissions. Nearly 30% of the cost is related to transportation. The catalytic converter in your car uses the heated interior to change them into harmless compounds. The term comes from how quickly the reaction occurs at high temperatures.
In order to lessen air pollution, automakers began installing catalytic converters in automobiles in 1975. That alone is a strong argument for paying to have it corrected. But there are also some more pragmatic justifications for doing it.
Failure to do so puts your entire exhaust system in danger and could result in an insurance claim. Even though it happens infrequently, the soot and broken bits inside the device could start a fire. Your car must pass an emission test in some places. You won’t be able to lawfully drive your automobile until you have it replaced if it doesn’t.
Some may claim that a catalytic converter impairs the performance of their vehicle. Given that it adds a new link to the chain, the concept makes logical. The effect, though, is negligible. It probably won’t make much of a difference unless you drive a performance car. The alternative is to forego the OEM component and go for an aftermarket option.
Ironically, there are unintentional environmental effects associated with the manufacturing process. While catalytic converters reduce vehicle emissions, mining for the raw materials is a substantial source of pollution that has an impact on the environment and the local population.
Why Catalytic Converters Fail
The good news is that many automakers build this component to last the entire life of the car. The unfortunate fact is that nature and time can sometimes intervene. Frequently, an issue elsewhere in the engine is to blame. The device may overheat and start to degrade due to problems like coolant leaks or used spark plugs. When you start it, a strange noise is a surefire clue that it’s happening.
Additionally, if you just use your automobile for city driving, soot can accumulate inside the catalytic converter and hasten the same demise. The performance of the engine is hence one indication. To get the emissions through the exhaust system, it has to work harder. Potholes and other hazards can occasionally cause physical harm.
Thankfully, your check engine light will alert you as soon as something is wrong. However, it isn’t necessarily a sign that something is wrong with your catalytic converter. It can be something harmless like a loose fuel cap. Pull over right away and look for roadside help if it is flashing.
The Repair Process
A catalytic converter is simple to replace. One piece of specialist equipment, which costs under $20, is necessary for the process. What you’ll need is as follows:
- substitute catalytic converter
- Set of ratchets and sockets
- sensor socket for oxygen
- oil that penetrates
- Jack postures
Purchase the proper component for your vehicle’s make, model, and year. Instead of buying rebuilt, buy new. Place all four wheels of your car on the jack stands to begin. Before you start working on it, let the air circulate to cool off the components.
Track down the catalytic converter. The oxygen sensor and its connections must then be removed using the unique socket. Then, working from the back and moving forward, remove the bolts at the flanges using a ratchet. Do not pressure them. Spray penetrating oil on them as an alternative, and then give it some time to work. Give it one more go.
Then, all that remains is to replace the worn-out component with the new one. The oxygen sensor and its fittings should be changed. You’re ready to go once the catalytic converter is firmly installed.
As you can see, the fix is simple. The only things that make it more difficult and lengthen the catalytic converter replacement process are rusty bolts or a welded component. The task is easily manageable by a do-it-yourself mechanic.
When you’re finished, turn on your car to make sure the check engine light is off. It may indicate a damaged catalytic converter, but it may also indicate an issue with the oxygen sensor. Use a diagnostic scan tool to see if further repair is necessary. You might find it useful.
The catalytic converter in your car is crucial for minimizing the poisonous emissions that contribute to air pollution and climate change. Fortunately, there is a quick repair that won’t take much time. To catch any issues early before they worsen, pay attention to any odd sounds or odors coming from your car.