Date: Tue, 20 Mar 2012 14:13:20 -0700
Reply-To: Scott Daniel - Turbovans <scottdaniel@TURBOVANS.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Scott Daniel - Turbovans <scottdaniel@TURBOVANS.COM>
Subject: Re: Catalytic Converter???? Anyone go without it???
In-Reply-To: <20120320144731.V8CHV.71513.imail@eastrmwml302>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8; format=flowed
In any case here..
the bottom line is the cheaper ones don't last that well..
and that the expensive 500 dolllar one probably will.
hurts to put that much out at once ..but I'd go with the better one and
you should get pretty decent service out of it ..especially if you keep
your engine in fairly perfect tune, and your exhaust system in good
working condition.
I always develope a good working relationship with one smart VW parts
guy at my dealer.
I often go there in person to babysit them through looking up a part,
and that helps.
there are many vanagon parts still available.
and some that are not of course ..lots that are not actually ...but many
are.
I am mainly saying ..if you're 'just some guy on the phone' ....
it's likely they won't try to hard to look up a part for 'just anyone.'
and .....kinda silly actually ..
if they can not identify the part in the pictures ..( or if you give
them a part number that is good and is in the price sheet ) they can't
get you the part.
You'd think that the 'front flange oil seal' on a syncro trans would not
be that hard a part to find in a picture ..
but my guy isn't finding one right now.
things are grouped weirdly in the pictures ..
the pictures are not always 1000 % accurate etc.
there is a vanagon savvy VW parts manager that we see on these groups
now and then ..Rennie ..
Pacific Volkswagon I think..
southern cal. I think.
If it's still in the price sheet and available...he should be able to
get it.
and Vanagons sure ain't OBSOLETE !!!
their frickin' awesome !
it's VW of America that's lame and half obsolete.
fwiw ...mercedes actually has a whole parts division dedicated to older
Mercedes Benz cars. They recognize the value of the good ole stuff.
Scott
www.turbovans.com
On 3/20/2012 11:47 AM, Dave Mcneely wrote:
> So Jeff, the Bus Depot listing for the Bosal catalytic converter refers to it as OEM. But it is only $100. There is some discrepancy between that and what you say. You also say that the OEM converter is only available from the dealer. The local VW dealer here simply says the Vanagon is an obsolete vehicle, and does not supply parts for it. I haven't tried to get a converter there, but that was the response when I tried to get some other parts.
>
> Just trying to understand. I will likely be needing a converter, if that 20 year time to failure you mentioned is correct. Mine is now 21years old.
>
> mcneely
>
> ---- Jeff<vw.doka@gmail.com> wrote:
>> Unlike the 49 state cats, the "California Cats" are required to carry a 5 year warranty. This came into effect due to the high percentage of cheapo cats that were being replaced every 2 years when people had to pass smog again. Obviously, this problem wasn't limited to Vanagons.
>>
>> In my experience, there are three quality levels when it comes to catalytic converters:
>>
>> 1) OE - Pretty much only available at the dealer
>>
>> 2) "California Cat" - Contains more surface area than the cheapo cats, but definitely a big step below #1
>>
>> 3) Cheap Cat - Good enough to pass the local smog test, but don't expect much more.
>>
>>
>> There is a 4th level of cat, but it can't really be classified. These would be the cats where a catalytic converter shop (just couldn't say "cat shop") actually replaces the guts of your catalytic converter. In this case the quality is unknown.
>>
>>
>> Cheers,
>>
>> Jeff
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: mcneely4@cox.net [mailto:mcneely4@cox.net]
>> Sent: Tuesday, March 20, 2012 7:01 AM
>> To: Jeff Schwaia; vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
>> Subject: Re: [VANAGON] Catalytic Converter???? Anyone go without it???
>>
>> Jeff, is the $265 one from Van Cafe (listed as "California Cat") long lasting? Other vendors list a "California Cat" for around $350. Bus Depot claims their $100 converter is OEM manufacturer, but they want something over $400 for a "California Cat."
>>
>> mcneely
>>
>> ---- Jeff Schwaia<vw.doka@GMAIL.COM> wrote:
>>> A $100 cat is effective for less than 2 years and is nowhere near as
>>> efficient as an OE cat.
>>>
>>> If you really want to do it right, buy a cat that meets OE specs... about
>>> $500.
>>>
>>> Cheers,
>>>
>>> Jeff
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> -----Original Message-----
>>> From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
>>> den jolliffe
>>> Sent: Monday, March 19, 2012 5:46 PM
>>> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
>>> Subject: Re: Catalytic Converter???? Anyone go without it???
>>>
>>> Aren't we talking about a $100 part that helps emissions and the air we all
>>> breath. Say it lasts as long as the original or less (20 years)...that's $5
>>> a year...less than a pack of smokes or a gallon of gas A YEAR.
>>> �
>>> It's a no brainer for me...NAPA has them.
>>> �
>>> Dennis2
>>>
>>>
>>>> ________________________________
>>>> From: Dave Mcneely<mcneely4@COX.NET>
>>>> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
>>>> Sent: Monday, March 19, 2012 6:38:50 PM
>>>> Subject: Re: Catalytic Converter???? Anyone go without it???
>>>>
>>>> David, that is true.� Some folks try to do something about, others rail
>>> that it is too much to bear to clean up the act.
>>>> It is true that transportation is the single largest polluter, however, and
>>> the only way to control that is to make sure that each vehicle complies with
>>> standard.
>>>> We all pay, but then we all should.
>>>>
>>>> mcneely
>>>>
>>>> ---- David M<covrambles@YAHOO.COM> wrote:
>>>>> Meanwhile US industry pumps out millions of tons of pollutants every year
>>> while us poor suckers pay over $1000 to get thru the emissions test
>>> (happened to me twice).
>>>>> If you look at the statistics you will be shocked at what goes into the
>>> air every year.
>>>>> �
>>>>> -David, 1987 Wolfsburg
>>>>>
>>>>> --- On Sun, 3/18/12, Dennis Haynes<d23haynes57@HOTMAIL.COM> wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> From: Dennis Haynes<d23haynes57@HOTMAIL.COM>
>>>>> Subject: Re: Catalytic Converter???? Anyone go without it???
>>>>> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
>>>>> Date: Sunday, March 18, 2012, 6:14 PM
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> Luckily for many the federal government relies on the states for
>>>>> enforcement. However the general requirements start at the federal
>>>>> level (EPA),especially for the design, maintenance, and operation of
>>>>> motor vehicles.� Disabling or removing parts of the emission control
>>>>> system are federal violations. Engine upgrades are also regulated
>>>>> with the major requirements being that the replacement be same year
>>>>> or later and all of the emissions equipment that goes with that
>>>>> engine goes with it. This can include all the controls, exhaust after
>>>>> treatment, and fuel tank vapor recovery systems and maybe even the
>>>>> transmission/drivelien. All the state emissions programs require that
>>>>> all the original equipment is there. Keep in mind that depending on
>>>>> use, (load, time under load, accelerating curves, etc.), a more
>>>>> efficient engine may not mean a cleaner engine. Some states actually
>>>>> operate these programs as private shops can both look the other way
>>>>> or take advantage and abuse customers. As for just relying on
>>>>> tailpipe tests, they are just too limited in scope and function. They
>>>>> can only look at percentages or parts per million (ppm), not actual
>>>>> pollutants per mile especially under different conditions. Again they are
>>> designed to identify "gross" polluters, not certify your vehicle works
>>> perfectly.
>>>>> Dennis
>>>>>
>>>>> -----Original Message-----
>>>>> From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On
>>>>> Behalf Of Scott Daniel - Turbovans
>>>>> Sent: Sunday, March 18, 2012 3:27 PM
>>>>> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
>>>>> Subject: Re: Catalytic Converter???? Anyone go without it???
>>>>>
>>>>> what does that mean 'move issue up to the Fed level ' ?
>>>>> there are no Fed smog stations.
>>>>> I'm sure there is conflict between state's rights to set there own
>>>>> emissions requirements and what the Feds want.
>>>>>
>>>>> I think it's interesting that where smog is not an issue locally ..
>>>>> say where ocean air blows emissions inland ..
>>>>> ( not talking about Ca. )
>>>>> there can be no local smog checks at all, yet the cars are still
>>>>> emitting, it's just blowing somewhere else.
>>>>>
>>>>> fortunately for many of us smogs checks are not required.
>>>>> I would be in favor of basic tail pipe checks..
>>>>>
>>>>> and an example of how silly the whole thing is ..
>>>>> in Ca ...
>>>>> officially, they will not allow people to put newer more fuel
>>>>> efficient, less polluting engines into their older vans.
>>>>> Pretty stupid.
>>>>> They could/should PAY people for putting in a late model less
>>>>> polluting and more fuel efficient engine into our old beaties.
>>>>> But then anyway� ...'logical/practical' and 'government' have never
>>>>> been known to coincide.� Durn shame.
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> On 3/18/2012 9:36 AM, Dennis Haynes wrote:
>>>>>> It will run just fine with the guts removed. There may be a very
>>>>>> slight performance penalty as the gasses bounce around in the
>>>>>> hollow cat. Not having a local emissions testing/enforcement
>>>>>> program just moves the issue up to the federal level.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Dennis
>>>>>>
>>>>>> -----Original Message-----
>>>>>> From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On
>>>>>> Behalf Of marc rose
>>>>>> Sent: Sunday, March 18, 2012 11:54 AM
>>>>>> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
>>>>>> Subject: Catalytic Converter???? Anyone go without it???
>>>>>>
>>>>>> I went to change out my worn out and rusted muffler on my 90 Carat
>>> "Rosie"
>>>>>> yesterday and noticed that the converter was all busted up and the
>>>>>> ceramic is all but gone.� I live in an area that has no enforced
>>>>>> emission tests or anything like that. My question is can i can
>>>>>> safely run without the convertor.� I was going to just bust out the
>>>>>> rest of the ceramic and reinstall but was not sure how it would
>>>>>> affect the overall operation of the engine.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Any thoughts??
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Thanks
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Marc
>>>>>>
>>>> --
>>>> David McNeely
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>> --
>> David McNeely
>>
> --
> David McNeely
>
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