Catalytic Converter Problems

[Bluetonic2]

Hi folks, I'm a newbie here so hello!

I drive a Seat Ibiza 1.2 04 plate, it's pretty basic, I'm not gonna lie!

It has had a problem with the engine management light coming on whenever I hit any decent speed (70 or 80mph) and I took it to a mechanic friend who said that there was a problem with an oxygen sensor. I replaced this and it was fine for a while but the light came on again. It was also making a bit of a noise when it started (like a belt wasn't running right) and it had a rattle when I was slowing down.

I took it to an independent garage who specialise in Seats/VW/Audi/Skoda, and they have said that it is the catalytic converter to blame. They have quoted me a price of £240 just for the part. Some people are saying this is a bit expensive, I wondered if anyone else has any views on this?

Thanks!!

 

[st10587]

i had the cat go on my 1.2 aswel. it was around that price, its because its the manifold and cat in one. i change mine myself as they are fairly easy to change.

 

[RUM4MO]

I think that its worth cleaning out the EGR valve system before doing this, I'd be surprised if the CAT was causing any noise as its not a ceramic monolyth but a metallic one - so its extremely robust. I have to admit though that there seems to be a lot of this sort of problems with the 1.2 engines as you might have worked out. Having said that, VAG pre-cat lambda probes do seem to be failing - my wife's 2003MY Polo 1.4SE needed a new one last year at about 5*,000 miles - the heater was faulty when hot.

 

[Gorynych]

Is it possible to cut out the converter, and replace it just with universal resonator with additional instalation of oxygen sensor? In our country its not a problem, if converter plugged-off or fused inside, nobody replace it -just cut off. Of course, additional motor sound appears, and more dirty exhaust.

http://cartuning.kiev.ua/carparts.php?cat=glushiteli&item=RS-01610

 

[auto...emocion]

ye when my cat convertor went on my 05 1.4 it was rattling like made whilst engine braking. and also i bought a cat for an old polo last week that was 100 quid without fitting so i guess 240 quid aint bad fitted for a quite new car.

 

[Bluetonic2]

Thanks folks, that's been a big help.
It's going in to get fixed on Friday, it needs the bushes replaced as well and will cost about £460 overall but I feel it is a reasonable price to pay if it is going to properly fix my car! Fingers crossed.

 

[RUM4MO]

It would be better to get the Cupra bushes fitted as they will last a lot longer so end up being cheaper - plus the car will "feel" better with them fitted.