catalitic converter gone bad!

[nefertiti1969]

Hey I have a '99 Jetta New body Style and the Catalitic converter went out on me. I was told that it really shouldn't have so something esle must be wrong causing it to. Help? any ideas, Also anyone know where I can order a cheap one? The shop wants $300 bucks but I am broke right now. Thank you much!

[neverbuyvw]

If you have under 80k miles, it should be covered under warranty

[HeirMuench]

It is true. Federal Warranty covers this for 80,000 miles. If under this, go to the dealer, it will be free.

[asskickingdominato]

Sound like no warranty. if so the problem is that your fuel mixture is too rich in which it then melted your catalytic. Theory is that a quarter turn could be bad and dont use high octane sending flames down the pipes. Culver muffler charges $135 for a new catalytic but does not adjust anything. When you dangerously play with the mixture screw with some tool there is a range, too lean makes soot and too rich burns catalytic. However, the engine will fluctuate when too lean or too rich also. About in the middle of the range is where it should be. To be safe start too lean and work your way richer. Watch the tail pipe for black soot. Whipe away after each observation.

[mechy1barry]

have it code read .save money before you replace cat!!

[vbboogyman]

My exaust smells like rotten eggs. It has smelled this way since it was new. I was told that is a sign that the CAT is bad. Is that true? Or could it be an O2 sensor. The check engine light has never come on though.

[mechy1barry]

Originally Posted by vbboogyman

My exaust smells like rotten eggs. It has smelled this way since it was new. I was told that is a sign that the CAT is bad. Is that true? Or could it be an O2 sensor. The check engine light has never come on though.

cats on some motors are like this,and i don,t think its any thing to worry about.if you can smell it it,s working.

[vbboogyman]

Yea but my car always smells like low tide! I pitty the people behind me with there windows down.LOL

[mechy1barry]

it,s the price we pay for 'technology'. in 1960 there were only about four gasses coming out of the exhaust,now its about ten.(worse for us,better for the environment.)

[vbboogyman]

My car smells like a fart!

[mechy1barry]

thers gotta be a reply there somewhere!!!!!!

[BellWB]

Did a VW shop give you that price?! I was quoted $1500 to $3500 at the Dealership!