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exhaust Cat guarantee

Posted by tony gould on May 22, 2008, 1:24 pm
Tony Gould

Just wondered if any of you put disclaimers on invoices when you supply a new Exhaust Cat. Obviously when we fit a new cat we do a 4 gas test to check everything is OK but ocasionally it comes back next year and the cat fails again due to an underlying fault on the vehicle which has damaged the cat.
As an example we fittd an Cat on a N reg fiesta last year when it failed MOT. Done 4 gas test - all working OK. Customer come back for MOT this year and it's failed again. Tested lamba sensor , faulty so replaced but car still running very rich, we can fit a new cat and it will go through MOT but this will probably be damaged within a few weeks. Customer does not want to spend any money on it (suspect never been serviced, had no oil in it when it came in). We will put a note on the invoice stating unless engine fault investigated and repaired Cat not guaranteed but begining to think we should put discalimer on all new cats fitted?

Re: exhaust Cat guarantee

Posted by Steve Nicholas on May 22, 2008, 4:56 pm, in reply to "exhaust Cat guarantee"
Stephen Nicholas

If the new cat fails because a fault develops after you fit it how can you possibly guarantee it?

All you can do, as you say, is check the gases after fitting, check that you have Lambda around 1.00 and check that fuel trims are looking sensible. Also check EOBD Mode 7 to look for pending DTCs - any stored here may indicate a fault brewing.

Print all the evidence and file it with the vehicle records in case the worst happens.

Unless you have a crystal ball that's the best anyone can expect you to do...

Regards,
Steve

Re: exhaust Cat guarantee

Posted by Tom Williams on May 23, 2008, 11:21 pm, in reply to "exhaust Cat guarantee"
Tom Williams

Hi,

Obviously if the vehicle develops a fault such as a serious misfire, which subsequently goes unrepaired & destroys the catalyst,then it is not your responsibilty.
One observation I can make though, many aftermarket cats seem to fail the second MoT, not because of any underlying vehicle problem but because they are poor quality.

TW

Re: exhaust Cat guarantee

Posted by Richard Endean on May 24, 2008, 12:18 am, in reply to "Re: exhaust Cat guarantee"
Richard Endean

I'm with Tom on this one. We tell customer that aftermarket cat is a temporary fix only. OE items are sent out with 12 months warranty. Give them a choice.

Richard

Re: exhaust Cat guarantee

Posted by Russell Davey on May 24, 2008, 1:14 am, in reply to "Re: exhaust Cat guarantee"
Russell Davey

Where does it end though...

..You fit an OE cat when required, then the vehicle developes a fault(insignificant to the driver) further down the line....where does the buck stop.

I believe even if you fit a non OE cat or an OE one your still left with alot of explaining to do should it fail within the 12 months??

We don't normally encourage this type of thing, but a while back we had to get a Cat ordered for a fairly new Punto(SOM car) due to it rattling, it was far cheaper to get one from the dealer than aftermarket.

Well its obvious your going to choose the genuine, so it was ordered and fitted & checked. Next MOT, youve guessed it....high Co.

Course it couldnt be the Genuine Cat.............could it???????

Bosal Cat fitted & 2 and half years later....all good!!

So its quality shite...or just plain shite

I don't bother with with Lotto anymore due to having so much fun in my workshop

Evening all
Russ

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