Catalytic Converters = $$$$$$$!!!!!!!

hey folks...have 78,500 on my 2005 2.5i...CEL came on this past Thursday...gas cap trick didn't work, so I brought it do mechanic, who recommended bringing it to Subaru dealer...called me Friday, told me good news & bad news....bad news = need new catalytic converter; good news = still under warranty (barely; 80,000)...if not under warranty, would have cost $3800.00 (you read that right)...i recommend you have them checked now while under warranty before getting that nightmarish phone call...enjoy your day

Isn't the cat covered under the emissions warranty?

IIRC by federal law they have to cover it for at least 100k.

That number highly doubtful. I would check your facts again. Especially since you could get complete aftermarket exhaust system (cat included) for well under $1k

hey that's what the service mgr. said...he said most manufacturers, not just subaru, charge exorbitant amounts of money (something to do with precious metals)...he said the warranty was 80K, but if it's 100K that sounds better...just trying to warn some us high-mileage folks

On GT models, DP < $3800 = non-issue.

 

I would have gone aftermarket or hit up a salvage yard if not covered under warranty on your car.

I don't think the salvage yards are allowed to sell emissions equipment.

cats have copper wound into them so it is worth $$$ on the black market. but $3800 is them ripping you off. call any dealership for a full exhaust today and you wont get even near that price.

I'm pretty sure the exorbitant cost is due to the platinum and a few other precious metals (palladium is one I think), not the copper. Thats unimportant though, cats are expensive. Although 3800 does seem to be way to much.

Also, I believe it depends on the spec of the cat. California spec can cost around 3x as much as federal spec.

cats have copper wound into them so it is worth $$$ on the black market. but $3800 is them ripping you off. call any dealership for a full exhaust today and you wont get even near that price.

 

It not just the copper, but there is also platinum in there as well.

He either does not know his stuff, or he thought you didn't. Always get a second estimate.

The mechanic was just blowing sunshine up your...Great thing it is covered.

Yes, platinum and palladium are present in some catalytic converters and they are the high dollar precious metals, not copper.

So I should have sold all the crap I banged out of there when I gutted the stock pipe?

^yes. would have gotten maybe $100 per cat a scrap yard.

Damnit!!!!!

yeah man, people dont realize that when they sell off their stock catted UPs. they sell them for alot less than what a scrap yard would give them for it.

Does it have to be intact? Or could I have just put all the pieces n dust in a baggie?

check it-

http://glendalewatkins.com/converter/

whatever the reason, the junk or scrap catalytic converter could

be worth from $40 to $200.

 

- http://www.prlog.org/10045504-your-junk-or-scrap-catalytic-converter-may-be-worth-more-than-you-think.html

That's crazy, and like you said everybody lets the stock UP's go for like $50 shipped lol

I still have the UP, maybe I'll be makin a trip to the scrap yard soon lol

makes gutting your stockers so much more appealing !!

makes gutting your stockers so much more appealing !!

 

Too bad I did mine already and threw away all the good stuff

well when I put in my STI UP I'll be sure to get my moneys worth for my stock UP.

Have a 2004 Outback. At the 30K svc, the CEL/blinking-CC was also on. Did svc and replaced all O2 sensors. At 40K CEL on again. All CATS were replaced. It took Carter Subaru in Seattle 4 days to diagnose as CATS costly repair item (had to get Subaru's OK, seemed hesitant). I was quoted $3500 to replace the CATS, if they weren't under warranty. This is a Calif spec car. At 80K I think I will sell as end of emission warranty period. There seems to be a recurrent problem here.