Catalytic converter - still problems

[chrisjenkins]

I've posted previously about my Puma 1.7 failing its MOT on emissions. The tester says it needs a new cat - I had some useful advice on this forum about possible alternative problems, but they're all beyond my ability to test. I tried a local exhaust specialist, only to be told that he couldn't replace the cat because he didn't have the right tool to remove the manifold - that just baffled me even further. Can anyone recommend a Puma specialist who could sort this out for me? Ideally in the St Albans area, but any useful contacts would help.

 

[caprixpack]

Doesn't have the correct tool = Doesn't want the job because it's a pain in the arse even if all the nuts and bolts come out.

 

[NeilR]

Have you tried some Cataclean - get it from Amazon or Halfords - it works miracles on dirty cats. My Puma Black has a 4-2-1 stainless manifold and a 400 cell ceramic sports cat nowadays, but getting the standard cat and manifold off a 25 year old car is a royal PITA, Offside drive shafts out, engine mount work, etc. That means that the labour cost will be crippling. For the time being, if the Cataclean won't work, just have a generic cat added after the Puma one on the downpipe. The MOT uses Lambda and emissions probe on the tailpipe, so that will work fine. If that passes, you can get the stock cat removed later. BTW, use a tankful of decent E5 petrol before your MOT and give your car a blast to clean it out.

 

[chrisjenkins]

Have you tried some Cataclean - get it from Amazon or Halfords - it works miracles on dirty cats. My Puma Black has a 4-2-1 stainless manifold and a 400 cell ceramic sports cat nowadays, but getting the standard cat and manifold off a 25 year old car is a royal PITA, Offside drive shafts out, engine mount work, etc. That means that the labour cost will be crippling. For the time being, if the Cataclean won't work, just have a generic cat added after the Puma one on the downpipe. The MOT uses Lambda and emissions probe on the tailpipe, so that will work fine. If that passes, you can get the stock cat removed later. BTW, use a tankful of decent E5 petrol before your MOT and give your car a blast to clean it out.

Good tips, thanks. I like the one about adding another cat! Now, if only I could find someone locally who would have a clue how to go about it...!

 

[YOG]

Catalytic Removal:

 

[caprixpack]

Catalytic Removal:

That's a nice list of all the nuts and bolts that will break, round off and refuse to come out.

 

[chrisjenkins]

Catalytic Removal:

Blimey. I can see why it's such a big job then. But surely someone else must have got this done? Why can't I find anyone wiling to take it on?

 

[yippeekiay]

Maybe some simply take a look & think it's more hassle than it's worth, are too busy with "easier" jobs, or simply don't know how to go about doing it when they see how cramped it is in there & wash their hands of it by making up sme kind of spurious excuse.
I'd be inclined to print off that "How To" that Rick/YOG uploaded & take it with me to any garage. Then I'd mention it in passing or show it while talking about a possible quote for carrying it out. Might make them more inclined to quote for the job if they can see what it entails in written form.

Then again, I could be talking total bollox as per usual

 

[st220kyle]

Customer service levels have dropped since covid, can't seem to find anybody willing to do anything, god knows how people are making a living

 

[PhilLew]

Just a thought, don't change the cat, change the tester.

Use a cleaning product, take it for a good run beforehand and take it to a difierent test centre.
Explain the problem, tell them you've done all you can to clean it up, some are more understanding than others, if an old car is structurally sound and in good mechanical order and close to the prescribed emissons level they'll give an advisory rather than a fail.
Ask around, see if anyone knows a tester who likes old cars and may be able to help you keep it on the road rather than one who doesn't care whether it stays on the road or not.

 

[RICHARD MANSFIELD2]

Find a sympathetic tester, They are out there,

 

[chrisjenkins]

Just a thought, don't change the cat, change the tester.

Use a cleaning product, take it for a good run beforehand and take it to a difierent test centre.
Explain the problem, tell them you've done all you can to clean it up, some are more understanding than others, if an old car is structurally sound and in good mechanical order and close to the prescribed emissons level they'll give an advisory rather than a fail.
Ask around, see if anyone knows a tester who likes old cars and may be able to help you keep it on the road rather than one who doesn't care whether it stays on the road or not.

Good thought!

 

[NeilR]

Good thought!

Good thought!

Advisories are faults that don't justify a fail. Fails are items that break the law. You can't get a fail downgraded to an advisory if its a legal item, like emissions. Any MOT tester would lose their licence doing so.

Having said that, are you sure the figures he gave you match the "vehicles with advanced emission controls" figures the MOT agency will accept?

The Zetec-S has its own specs and these should be applied. Check the figures here (see attached). This is from the Gov doc link I've attached. https://assets.publishing.service.g...-standards-for-road-vehicles-19th-edition.pdf