Where would I buy a new Cat?

[JD]

Hi All,

I have to get my FTO through the NCT soon, it only failed on emmissions and I don't want to go beyond the month and have a full re-test, but I haven't had any luck getting a lend of a clean cat for a GR, Would anyone know where I could buy a new one ?

Cheers
JD

[steelroe]

I have a couple of secondhand ones for sale. How bad was you emissions. Dean just got his through with flying colours with a used cat

[mark]

A new cat may not sort out your probs. I put a new one on a few years back and car still failed on emissions. Could be a combination of things, engine temp sensor, lambda etc. Get the NCT to do the high idle at around 3500 rpm, ask them nicely and they should do it. They ran my yoke for about 5 mins and got the emissions down and thus passed. Otherwise you can end up going back 4 times until after you've spent over 200 euros in nct fees the guy then runs it at 3000/3.5 rpms and passes it. Money making racket really.

[Dragonheart]

What do they usually run the high idle at? Is it 2000 rpm?

[mark]

just looking back at old nct results and its around 2500rpm for high idle.

[Dragonheart]

Wonder does it make a difference if they have it in 'park' or 'neutral' gear too. You know, the way you're not meant to check the oil level in 'neutral', it should be 'park'. Though I know you're not meant to rev a car in 'park' but it wouldnt surprise me if they didnt know that.

[mark]

Not sure as I've a manual. Like everyone says regardless of box, 'get the engine temp really hot!'

[steelroe]

It is not the engine the needs to be hot it is the CAT. Hotter a cat runs the better the emissions. FTO cat runs at very low temp.
Best way to get the cat good and hot is remove the pipe from the bottom of the MAP sensor. This is the one at the back of intake manifold attached to the bulk head. Sensor has small black rubber pipe attached to it. If you have access to a emissions tester try it and you will be amazed at the results.

[steelroe]

http://auto.howstuffworks.com/catalytic-converter3.htm

[JD]

Best way to get the cat good and hot is remove the pipe from the bottom of the MAP sensor. This is the one at the back of intake manifold attached to the bulk head. Sensor has small black rubber pipe attached to it. If you have access to a emissions tester try it and you will be amazed at the results.

Could I do that to get her through the NCT, do you think, or does it need that in place to run?

[mark]

Yes but a very hot engine after a while will still heat a cat up by it's nature?! How come no one mentioned Map sensors etc before now? The problem can still be when you arrive at nct with a 'hot' cat/engine and they leave it outside for 20 mins to cool down.
They could fail you with a disconnected pipe if they see it. I left a crank case breather filter on hidden under my inlet pipe. Now I know these are illegal in the UK as they release traces of oil etc into the atmosphere. Most breathers are re routed back into the inlet manifold pipe and thats why you see some oil inside the pipe if you take it off. They're illegal in the UK because if 20/30 million cars had some oil coming out the roads it would all add up and be pretty unsafe. I was just curious to see if they'd notice and if it maybe had some sort of small effect on emissions as those gases get recycled back into the air intake instead of 'clean' air only through the filter.

[mark]

and could you end up wrecking a cat by getting it too hot like the link mentioned if even for a short time?

[Bernard]

I passed the emmisions with an oil temp. of 69° after giving it socks for 20 miles, and leaving it running for ten minutes before the test.

Tested the escort the same day, passed with a temp. of 104° after an easy drive and being turned off for 20 minutes...

[steelroe]

I have done this several time and never had a problem yet. To wreck the cat you are talking extremely long periods of time at very high temp. Remove it 10mins before the test.