I have a 1999 Volkswagen Jetta w/ ~95,000 miles. I purchased the car used in Oct 2006. The catalytic converter failed in April 2007 and was replaced (along with most of the exhaust system) at a AAA repair shop.

I took the car to Southern States Imports on Wake Forest to have a vibrating noise coming from underneath the car looked at. I'm not a big fan of dealerships, but the boyfriend wanted me to take it there. They tell me that my catalytic converter needs to be replaced AGAIN. When I asked why it would fail AGAIN after only 9 months, I was told that because I used a non-Volkswagen after market part my car is rejecting it.

Is this BS? Do I need to drop another grand to get the catalytic converter replaced at the dealership to make sure I get a Volkswagen part?

I plan on getting an opinion from a third mechanic (Beryl Road) but I thought I'd see what TWWers had to say.

1/21/2008 5:35:58 PM

Catalytic converters are not like organ transplants. Your car won't reject it.

It is possible if they put on a piece of junk cat that it is clogged. Simple solution would be to cut it out and stick in a length of pipe to test it. If that fixes your problem get a new cat.

But a better bet might be to go back to AAA, say "this POS cat is already messed up" and let them sort out whether or not the dealer is right. I'd think you should have at least a year warranty on the part.

1/21/2008 5:58:06 PM

AAA does have a year warranty on their work. I'm going to talk to them later this week.

I'm just concerned if it's not the part that they'll throw another cat on there and six months from now I'll be in the same position and possibly hurting my car in other ways by driving around with shitty cats.

1/21/2008 6:24:53 PM

MaximaDrvr works for AAA. Talk with him and he'll help you out.

1/21/2008 6:27:19 PM

friend of mine had an 01 v6 jetta. cat went out like 1,000 miles past its warranty. she took it to the dealership and they wanted $1200 for it... I sent her to Henry's Muffler and they managed to get her an aftermarket one for $500.

1/21/2008 7:22:51 PM

I don't work for AAA anymore, but...
They will replace it if it is faulty. You can just take it back and they will look at it.

The dealership will always want to make money. If there is a loose heat shield on the cat, then will try and sell you a new cat.
Do you have a Check Engine Light on?

1/21/2008 8:13:14 PM

^Not yet. Just the vibrating noise. The first time I had the cat replaced it was the vibrating then the check engine light came on.

1/21/2008 8:42:16 PM

aftermarket cats (like random tech) never seem to last as long as OEM.

1/21/2008 9:07:52 PM

Quote :

"The dealership will always want to make money. If there is a loose heat shield on the cat, then will try and sell you a new cat."

That is one of my suspicions. That's why I suggested letting AAA take a stab at it. If the heat shield is loose they'll probably just tighten it up. If they try to hit you with a bill just tell them that they're the ones that put it on in the first place (after replacing the cat the last time.)

A shop pulled a similar deal with my dad. Told him he needed a new rear diff cover seal,half hour of laber to swap it, and new fluids to boot. He crawled under, saw that one of the bolts on the diff cover was loose, cranked it down, and it's been fine for over three years now.

[Edited on January 21, 2008 at 9:43 PM. Reason : l]

1/21/2008 9:41:56 PM

One thing I do know, is that AAA will not use no-name low quality parts. If you are a AAA member, then the warranty is 2 years, and they want to keep your money.
Just take it in and explain that you had it done 8 months ago, and you are having a problem with it. They will take care of you.

1/21/2008 9:47:03 PM

I am definitely going to take it to AAA later this week.

Thanks for the input!

1/21/2008 10:13:56 PM

Quote :

"Catalytic converters are not like organ transplants. Your car won't reject it."

ahahahahahaha, gg

1/22/2008 11:33:59 AM

266,000 miles on my OEM cat, w00t

1/22/2008 1:26:25 PM