Vanagon EuroVan
Previous messageNext messagePrevious in topicNext in topicPrevious by same authorNext by same authorPrevious page (October 2009, week 4)Back to main VANAGON pageJoin or leave VANAGON (or change settings)ReplyPost a new messageSearchProportional fontNon-proportional font
Date:         Fri, 23 Oct 2009 10:53:34 -0700
Reply-To:     Richard Koerner <rjkinpb@SBCGLOBAL.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Richard Koerner <rjkinpb@SBCGLOBAL.NET>
Subject:      Re: Expected, normal, lifetime for the catalytic converter?
In-Reply-To:  <d1ea9acf0910230941x3966259ch720944d84001a8f8@mail.gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1

Mine lasted 160,000 miles on my 85 with manual transmission.  Most of my driving is road trips, meaning long distance, high speed.  The "symptoms" that it was going bad was a rattling sound, apparently the ceramic elements starting to break apart inside.  Since I've read (on the list) that this leads to clogging of the flow downstream (muffler), I replaced both cat and muffler at the same time.  I bought from Van Cafe in Santa Cruz, and had a local shop install. 

By the way, had a smog check shortly after that, and the results were better than 2 years earlier, so the new cat must have made the difference.

Rich 85 Vanagon GL San Diego

--- On Fri, 10/23/09, craig cowan <phishman068@GMAIL.COM> wrote:

From: craig cowan <phishman068@GMAIL.COM> Subject: Re: Expected, normal, lifetime for the catalytic converter? To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM Date: Friday, October 23, 2009, 9:41 AM

In my experience, a new cat has always made a nice difference in the way the van produced power and drove. Mind you my cat's may have all been original, but it still made a difference. It's worth considering if your van doesn't run like a top, as now would be the easiest and most logical time to replace it.

-Craig '85GL turned WESTY BOSTIG in the trunk

On Fri, Oct 23, 2009 at 11:27 AM, Dave Mcneely <mcneely4@cox.net> wrote:

> I don't personally know, but when I've asked personnel at muffler shops > about the catalytic converter on my van (considerably more miles than > yours), they've told me that they almost never go bad, and that if the > van is running well, it is very unlikely to be bad.  Seemed to me that > that answer was sort of pat, but then, those guys make a little if they > sell me a converter.  I did think the catalyst itself could be bad > without the converter being plugged, but, how would you know that?  I > guess the oxygen sensor would give a signal that caused a running > problem?  Maybe idling wrong?  I am a stickler for keeping everything in > order so (1) the vehicle runs well, and (2) the thing doesn't pollute > any more than necessary. > > Why can't you just pull the thing (or have it done) and look at the > insides, if you are seriously concerned? > > Dave McNeely > > > > On Fri, Oct 23, 2009 at 10:02 AM, Rocket J Squirrel wrote: > >  Assuming a properly-tuned engine, average driving habits, etc., how >> many >> miles could one expect the cat to normally last? Does time alone also >> age >> the thing? Say on a 1984 vehicle with 80,000 miles, for example. >> >> Putting together my muffler shopping list and don't want to buy a cat >> if I >> don't need one ($100 - $150 USD), and don't have the luxury to pull it >> and >> inspect it ahead of time. >> >> -- >> Mike "Rocket J Squirrel" Elliott >> 84 Westfalia: Mellow Yellow ("The Electrical Banana") >> 74 Westrailia: (Ladybug Trailer company, San Juan Capistrano, Calif.) >> Bend, OR >> KG6RCR >> >


Back to: Top of message | Previous page | Main VANAGON page

Please note - During the past 17 years of operation, several gigabytes of Vanagon mail messages have been archived. Searching the entire collection will take up to five minutes to complete. Please be patient!


Return to the archives @ gerry.vanagon.com


The vanagon mailing list archives are copyright (c) 1994-2011, and may not be reproduced without the express written permission of the list administrators. Posting messages to this mailing list grants a license to the mailing list administrators to reproduce the message in a compilation, either printed or electronic. All compilations will be not-for-profit, with any excess proceeds going to the Vanagon mailing list.

Any profits from list compilations go exclusively towards the management and operation of the Vanagon mailing list and vanagon mailing list web site.