catalytic convertor

nobbysn*ts

Personally, I wouldn't rush to change the cat or lambda. Depending on where the leak is, it could mess up the emissions anyway. I'd replace the parts of the exhaust that are leaking, if you need to replace anything. If that's the cat, fair enough, if not I'd take it for a fast drive, warm it all up, and get the emissions re-tested. Only when there are no leaks will you know if the cat and lambda are good or bad. They may still need changing then, but worth checking first.

pink_boots

Norman Castle. Thank you for your last reply. I agree with what you said.

pink_boots

AdrianC wrote: »

Yes, you were. It was an advisory on last year's MOT.

I in no way was told the exhaust was on the way out. No matter what you say. I am not a Bloody Liar. My daughter took the car to another garage . They fixed the leak in fact I can't find the invoice Telling me what was done so I can tell you. Again no mention about the exhaust. I also said that the car was running fine, No hint of a problem.So I was confident that it would pass. As another member posted. He also had a leak but it did not require a cat. So how the hell was I suposed to know about the cat? I hope that this settles the point to your replys. Also I can be doing without replys of the sort you have sent. I came on the site for advice only on the price of a new cat nothing more.

colino

OK, to make it clearer for you.
Last years MOT indicated the exhaust was deteriorating and needed, at the time, a minor repair.
The exhaust is now a year older and has failed the MOT for two separate, but potentially same, root problem.
Crap garages exist all over and this one may not have the sense to realise that a leaking exhaust can cause the emissions to be incorrect.
Crap garage would see emissions failure and jump to the conclusion that you need a very expensive repair - a new cat for a 14 year old puddle jumper.
Decent garage would temporarily patch leaky exhaust and see if emissions came up to standard, examine the cat and lambda thoroughly and advise if the patch was all it needed or you do indeed need a new cat and or lambda sensor.
This accurate diagnosis, in a proper garage with proper kit including an infra red laser thermometer, would take minutes, but you crack on and buy a new cat if it will make you feel better.

laidbackgjr

Can you post the emissions readings from last years MOT and this years MOT, my car failed it's last MOT on emissions and needed a new CAT, for the previous year it had been well within the allowed emissions, this year the readings were over 10 times higher than the previous year - a clear indiciation it was the CAT, the car was still running fine, but that's the thing with emissions, it's measuring things like CO levels which are not detectable any other way.

pink_boots

Hi Colino. This is what is puzzling me. There was nothing suggested, Not even a tmp. repair. I would have also thought they would have investigated the leak further and phoned me as to what was needed. So it looks like I did get a crap garage and I don't understand the car passing it's MOT last year. I would have thought the emissions would have been way out with the leak. I did tell them the leak had been attended to. I even showed them the bill but nothing was said about that. I have booked the car into another garage for Monday, just to see what they find. I am sure I am being had over.

topdaddy_2

Agree with the above. You was told there was exhuast issues, you repaired them then theres further exhaust problems this year. This shouldnt be a terrible shock. Its not a new or different problem out of the blue. But two years motoring(MOT) for five hundred quid is not bad. If the problem persists next year consider getting rid.