7 replies to this topic

[Crabolsky850]

Six months ago I replaced my cat. and did an all round maintenance to get my 850 up to spec. O2 sensors plugs etc.

Unfortunately the catalyst started to come unstuck and rattle. I just replaced it with another of the same since it is under warranty.

I just got off the phone with A&B (the cat manufacturer) who informed me that the cat had high carbon deposits and was the cause of the breakdown.

As far as I can tell, my car isn't running rich. At least it recently passed emissions and doesn't smell like its running rich.

Any opinions? Are these guys just trying to get out of paying for the replacement?

They offered to refund half of the replacement price.

My emission results were:
Reading Limit

CO 0.83 020.00
NOx .80 2.50
CO2 382.86 grams N/A

[calgary850awd]

These guys that make the cat are aware that carbon is a by product of a internal combustion engine?

[Crabolsky850]

These guys that make the cat are aware that carbon is a by product of a internal combustion engine?

Thats my point. What is an acceptable level of carbon?

[calgary850awd]

Thats my point. What is an acceptable level of carbon?

Well there can be a high amount of carbon in the system and in turn that could clog the cat and cause it to fail I guess. I would think that if there was excessive amounts of carbon, the cat would not be able to clean the exhaust properly and you should of triggered a code if thats the case. If there is an excessive amount of carbon that means you are running rich. So again you should of triggered a code. And if your O2 sensors are not within range that again should trigger a code. So saying that, if there was not a check engine light on or a code stored who knows. I would say they might be trying to get out of paying for the full amount. Ask them what a acceptable amount of carbon is, ask how they determined there was too much carbon in it, and what prcoess they use to determine that, tell them you want to see proof backing this up. There has to be solid facts proving their theory. My 2 cents

[icelandic]

One year ago I replaced my original cat converter for A&B from FCP Groton. Funny thing. Lasted exactly six months. Actually when I got it I saw right away it was a poor part. Workmanship was very poor and it had droplets of welding material inside the pipes. When it failed the honeycomb came loose. I opened it up, the honeycomb was clear but I could confirm it was very poorly built.

They are simply no good. Use a magnaflow universal one. Costs one third the price, works well and sounds the same.

Good luck,

Luis

[andrew_the_fox]

These guys that make the cat are aware that carbon is a by product of a internal combustion engine?

hahahahahha

[Crabolsky850]

So I ended out calling A&B directly to get the full scoop.

His explaination for not fully warranteeing was as follows.

Cats should never go bad. For this to fail my car had to be running rich. He said that some, but not all comb/filter was blocked with carbon deposits and that the blockage is what contributed to the welds to come loose internaly.
**They do not have any limits or levels of acceptable carbon on their cats...they go by what they see***
He also added that many other things could be causing this, not neccessarily too much fuel. For example, Leaks else where in the exhaust could cause failure.

So this is still going to be a problem that will take more digging to be reolved.

So his offer was simply I will refund half your money for the replacment. I accepted.