How long do catalytic converters last??????????????

Question

My daughter (a nurse) bought a used Ford Focus Sept 2003 1.6 from a Ford dealer and they now tell her it needs a new "cat". I think they are trying to con her. How long in your experience do "cats" last.

Answer 1

A misfiring engine can cause "Cat" failure.

"Cats" don't have to be too expensive if you fit a replacement part from a motor-factor rather than one from the main-dealer. The one I fitted when I wrongly assumed mine to be defective, cost about £70 + £20 fitting at a small garage.

It's very easy to pay through the nose for something like this.

Shop around, but first ask a competent small garage to check out the exisiting unit as well as the lambda sensor and ignition.

A Ford Focus isn't a Ferrari, so most good garage people can fix them.

Answer 2

Yes there are ways to make a catalytic last longer, and they are simply keep running unleaded fuel, do proper oil changes, fix check engine light problems in a timely manner, avoid immersion and striking them when hot, and your cats should live roughly the life of your car. Unfortunately Yes, you will have to purchase a new one, and this is why; catalytic converters since the early 90's are a design that looks like a honeycomb, which only allows exhaust flow one way, called a monolith style. When those start making a rattling noise, that means that noisy catalyst has seporated or broken from it's mounting points, and is a matter of time until it will physically turn sideways inside the housing and have the effect of a potato in the tailpipe on that perticular side (if it's a dual exhaust), and will most likely occur before your next test. It also means that the efficiency of that cat is highly reduced, which would explain part of the reason why your car had a harder time passing emissioins. There is no repair available except replacing the noisy cat.

Answer 3

as everyone else, a long time is what i'd say, alhough if they never need changing, why do they sell new ones off the shelf?

Ask a ford specialist what they think, main dealers just want your money.

If the car has ever been run out of petrol then the resulting misfire will probably destroy the cat.

Definetly ring around for a price, as a ford dealer will charge the earth, yet a specialist, who normally employ ford qualified mechanics, will charge less for just as good, if not a better job, and a run of the mill garage on your local high street, or a kwik fit style tyres and exhaust place will prob be the lowest price.

As a rule, ring at least ten different places before settling on anywhere, teling each of them that you have been quoted no more than what you want to pay.

Answer 4

Has it failed the MOT emissions test? If not what makes them think she needs a new one? As most of the respondents have said, a catalytic converter should last for a considerable number of years… Although they, like all components, can fail.
Sorry I can’t be more help. It may be worth getting a second opinion and possibly an explanation. Good luck

Answer 5

Take the car to any MoT testing station for a catalyst check, they will independently confirm whether needed or not.

Catalysts normally last quite a while in a well serviced and looked after car, less in one neglected. Engine mis-fires, flood water when they are hot, poor engine tune, impacts under car, wrong fuel and a multitude of other factors can render these expensive (but quite delicate) parts, useless!

Was it new in Sept 2003, or did she buy it in Sept 2003? Was it MoTed when she bought it? Did they MoT it? How long has she had it? Ford dealer may repair under guarantee/ warranty if pushed. They should be reasonable if car was just bought - they have a reputation to preserve.

Have it checked independently and go from there!

Answer 6

Why would they think that?

There needs to be an external factor to damage the cat.

There are two types of damage.
1.- broken. caused by physical damage (accident or off-road) or by a very strong misfire.
2.- Plugged.
Caused by a abnormally rich mixture.

Find out if your daughter's car had any of these problems in the past and correct the cause so the new one does not get damaged again. (If in reality, the old one is damaged)

Answer 7

I aways drive old cars and have never had to replace a "cat" However they are probably only guaranteed for 12 month on a new car, But make sure it's not only the exhaust that you need and not the "cat" More info needed on what problem the car had, that the dealer was checking.

Answer 8

The catalyst on one of my old cars was fine and it was 7 years old and had done 125,000 miles so yeah they may well be trying to con her. Ford's are reasonably well screwed together so i wouldn't expect one to have died on a 3 year old focus. Take it somewhere else and get it checked out.

Personally i dont go near dealerships, they are right con artists

Answer 9

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Answer 10

As long as there isn't any debris or such stuck in the cat, then it should still be okay.
Otherwise, its going to make your vehicle overheat and lock up a lot. I wouldn't purchase the vehicle if that's the issue. They're a little pricey.