Catalytic Converter problem—help please
I’ve had many many problems with my newer model ‘99 Jetta over the years. Yes, I got it in the first year of manufacturing the new model—stupid I now see. I actually bought it used, but that’s a whole ‘nother story.
At 40K miles I had to have the catalytic converter replaced (it rattled horribly), luckily under warranty. It’s now almost 4 years later and the rattle is back and the converter needs to be replaced again. I’m now at just over 80K miles (80,800 when I finally took it in) and just over the warranty. I’m told by the dealership to contact VW of America to see if they’ll extend the warranty or pay for the part. I am hesitant to do this without proper “”counseling”" because I don’t think they’ll have any sympathy and will care less about my problems.
So my question to you good people is what should I say to the VW of America people that might, just might, convince them to replace my catalytic converter free of charge??? Thanks in advance.
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297 Said,
February 23, 2005 @ 10:31 am
Catalytic Converter problem—help please – I thought cats were insured to 70k. Perhaps they should take into account that they charged you for a warrantied emission item and give you a freebie for 80k?
VWVictim Said,
February 24, 2005 @ 2:07 am
Catalytic Converter problem—help please – The Federal government requires that pollution control equipment be warranted for a certain length of time. Off hand I don’t have the years and mileage, but I think it covers catalytic converters.
How does the car run? If you had the defective coils and the car misfires it would be dumping excess gas into the exhaust flow. This will fry a catalytic converter.
Find an independant mechanic to check on the car.
And yes, you are right. You should be wary of first year of production. With VW you should be terrified of first year of production.
YupOldBull Said,
February 24, 2005 @ 5:07 am
Catalytic Converter problem—help please – See below.
YupOldBull Said,
February 24, 2005 @ 5:12 am
Catalytic Converter problem—help please – Yup.
What Are Specified Major Emission Control Components? There are three specified major emission control components, covered for the first 8 years or 80,000 miles of vehicle use on 1995 and newer vehicles: * Catalytic converters. * The electronic emissions control unit or computer (ECU).* The onboard emissions diagnostic device or computer (OBD).
Catalytic converters are critical emission control components that have been installed on most cars and trucks manufactured since 1975. Since engines don’t burn fuel completely during the combustion process, the exhaust contains a significant amount of harmful pollutants such as carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, and oxides of nitrogen. The catalytic converter aids the conversion of these pollutants to less harmful substances such as carbon dioxide, water vapor, nitrogen, and oxygen before the exhaust is expelled into the environment.
EPA Emissions Warranty Act
MIKEC Said,
February 24, 2005 @ 8:31 am
Catalytic Converter problem—help please – To try to answer your question I’ll offer this advice. When you call VW customer relations do not tell them that you “will never buy another VW product if they don’t take care of this”. Tell them exactly the opposite – that you love VW’s and will be driving them for the rest of your life. If you tell them you will not purchase another car if the don’t help you, they figure you are lost to them anyway and won’t help. They might help you if the believe you will purchase again. Good luck!
YupOldBull Said,
February 24, 2005 @ 8:50 am
Catalytic Converter problem—help please – I called the help line over a dozen times. They go right by the book, not one ounce of slack. However, today they are probably more aware of the cost associated with legal ramifications, due to people that have sued them. I proudly drive my $40,000 Jetta!
geminilady Said,
February 24, 2005 @ 8:52 am
Catalytic Converter problem—help please – I’ll admit that it is a weird/odd thing to replace twice in such a short amount of time. There are no obvious indications that anything else is causing the problem—the car gets great mileage. One other problem that MAY be associated is I’ve had to have the oxygen sensor replaced three times. I haven’t had to replace it in the last two years, but had to replace it three times within like a year and a half. However, the second time I replaced it, I did use a part from a junkyard Jetta. It’s a little unfair to say it’s been replaced three times, but still kind of odd. It seems like there probably is some underlying problem causing all of this, but I don’t know what it would be and it isn’t anything that seems to effect the driveability of the vehicle or make me take notice (noise, smell, etc.).
Thanks for the hints about what to say to VoA. I’ll probably try giving a call tomorrow, so if anyone else has hints, I’d greatly appreciate them. Thanks for your help everyone!
geminilady Said,
February 24, 2005 @ 8:59 am
Catalytic Converter problem—help please – oh yeah, one more thing. I did take it to an independent mechanic. I rarely use the VW dealer anymore. I’ve seen this complaint on some VW boards, so will share my experience here in hopes of helping a few people: The jetta was leaking a little bit of oil after an oil change. I took into a VW dealer and they told me the oil pan plug was stripped and I’d have to replace the whole pan, costing about $350. I had a friend take a look at it because I wasn’t willing to throw that much money down and it ended up being a slightly warped washer that wasn’t creating a good seal. It was a 5 cent solution.
I understand the comment about the $40,000 jetta. I’m afraid to add up all the $$$ I’ve spent in repairs over the last few years.
297 Said,
February 24, 2005 @ 10:58 am
Catalytic Converter problem—help please – Do you know what kind of mileage you’ve been getting recently?
I would think VW should cover the warranty and further, investigate the cause for premature catalytic converter failure.
Being just over 80k helps… having it replaced at 40k also helps.
So long as your maintenance record is fine, you should have a fairly clear case to present.
And yes, when you do call, blustering won’t help. Remain polite, express your satisfaction with the car OTHER than the problem with frequent cat failure — so maybe before they just help you install a new one for free, how about putting in some time to figure out what else might be wrong, seeing as it happened at 40k, then happened again at 80k….
geminilady Said,
February 24, 2005 @ 12:01 pm
Catalytic Converter problem—help please – I didn’t pay for the first catalytic converter—it was covered under warranty. It just seems really odd to go out twice within 40K miles, and I’m not really willing to pay this time around for such an oddity without putting up some kind of fight. I guess VW extended the warranty to 8/80.
297 Said,
February 25, 2005 @ 2:01 am
Catalytic Converter problem—help please – Hmm… your O2 sensor may not have been the initial problem. Your MAF may be malfunctioning, causing a rich condition that could foul your O2 sensor and in the long run cause premature death to your catalytic converter.
I’d look into the MAF. If you have a 2.0L non-turbo engine, it’s a $40 part (way cheaper than an O2 sensor or cat), or it may simply be dirty and you can clean it by immersing it in 91% or higher isopropyl alcohol (rubbing alcohol).
YupOldBull Said,
February 25, 2005 @ 4:43 am
Catalytic Converter problem—help please – 2000 Jetta GLS 4 years $12,000 in recurring repairs.
2002 Toyota XLE 2 years $0 in recurring repairs.
Big difference.
mach2joe Said,
February 28, 2005 @ 9:09 am
Catalytic Converter problem—help please – I feel your pain. I have a 99 and a half VR6 Jetta… just traded it in last weekend for a Honda Accord V6 Coupe… Can’t tell you how glad I am to get rid of the Jetta. All the problems you had, I had them too… Also has problem with the ignition coil (which they recalled for the 2000/01 model but not 99!!!) Failed the emission test last week and decided that would be it. Drove straight to a Honda dealership and decided to get a more reliable (with my finger crossed) car.
geminilady Said,
March 1, 2005 @ 9:16 am
Catalytic Converter problem—help please – Well, I called today and was nice as pie…told them how much I love driving my car (which is true) and will be a lifelong VW driver (big fat lie) but have this really odd problem. In the end, they said that a warranty is there for a reason and that I was over mine so they couldn’t help.
Thanks for your help anyway.
297 Said,
March 1, 2005 @ 11:28 am
Catalytic Converter problem—help please – Man, that new Infiniti M just about makes me drool.
(tangent)
VDUBRAF Said,
March 1, 2005 @ 12:34 pm
Catalytic Converter problem—help please – Hey good luck with the new car!!!
you should try a new site, just in case!!!
hondasucks.com or if you go to mycarsucks.com you could find your other car too!!!
i think we should just walk!!!
well may be not! it’s easier to sit and bitch than walk and swet!!! good luck do, i really mean it!!!
peterd1965 Said,
December 22, 2005 @ 7:29 am
I too am a Catalytic Converter Victim – My catalytic converter clogged. I am pretty sure the coils were replaced before I bought this car. I just read an interesting rant on the 1.8T and how the difference between a Diver Valve and a Blow Off Valve.
(many will not find this interesting at all)
The post raves about the 1.8T BUT points out that on Tubo’s when taking your foot off the gas the engine controllers may be still feeding fuel to the proportion needed when you had your foot on the gas. Summary this leads to the car running too rich, this exta fuel clogs the cat.
I have wondred if I am running too rich. I mean I do a lot of city driving and get about 18-20 MPG, which seems very low.
I am at 50,000 miles, if I stil lahve the car at 79, 500 I am walking into VW to have my next catalytic converter repalced.
peterd1965 Said,
December 22, 2005 @ 7:46 am
For those with 1999 -2001 VW Catalytic Converter – Volkswagen Consent Decree
YupOldBull Said,
December 22, 2005 @ 8:36 am
Volkswagen Consent Decree……? – Anything coming from the EPA on this? I already got my Catalytic converter recall from VW. They said that they would just check it…..nothing about an absolute recall and fix. More battles. (Check my profile)
It would be nice if the EPA got involved like they did with the Oxygen sensors. (See Below) Why did I get a “”warranty extension”" from VW on an EPA “”mandated recall?”" Wording written to protect the Automotive MFG.?
Remember VW only seems to react if it is a Safety issue or Government Regulation issue. No customer focus or help concerns.
Example:
Brake light switch: Yes
Oxygen sensor: Yes
Glove box hinge: No
Turning signals and 4 way lights: Yes
Sunroof leaks: No
Floor mats: No
Premature Clutch wear: No
Premature rear brake wear: No
2.0 Oil Burning: No No No and then sometimes Yes
1.8t engine problems: Yes and No
Coolant migration (wiring harness): No
Interior dash lights: No
The list goes on……
EPA calls it a recall…..VW called it a warranty extension……Does the EPA know that?
formerAuditech Said,
December 23, 2005 @ 1:31 am
common. – yes your 02’s going out could cause you to fry cats (common) also another known problem is the FPR’s going out (the fuel pressure regulator)…those are common for failing and then proceeding to dump gas on the cat making it null and void after some miles….it will also ruin O2 sensors. and best of all it won’t throw any sort of check engine light. usual symtoms are less than stellar running and higher consumption of gas.
this is a common problem on both the 2.0 and 1.8t motors.
and VDUBFAF….that’s funny, it’s been awhile since we’ve had a troll on this site, want the job?
Post edited 12/23/05 1:32 PM by formerAuditech
vabeachautohaus Said,
January 26, 2006 @ 10:13 am
Catalytic Converter problem—help please – My guess would be to check the mass air flow sensor.Has it been replaced recently.?It is a major problem for lean and rich fuel trim faults and will damage a cat converter.