Catalytic Converter?

[Sashira]

Hey all,

I just got the bad news today that my 2000 New Beetle GLS (gas) has a major exhaust leak in the catalytic converter. I am currently in the US and the estimated price from a non-VW dealer was $1000 for parts and labor.

Any suggestions where I could buy this thing for cheaper? From the instructions given, they said it would be $800 for the part and $200 for labor.

The gasket and clamp are required.

It's not an emergency yet, but soon, very soon. I need to find a way to get this part for cheaper or I will have to give up my Beetle. I just can't afford this.

Please understand, I am kind of clueless on this mysterious part that costs so much. So while I've looked online at some part stores, I honestly don't know if they are actually the right part or not.

Thank you for the help in advance or any suggestions.

[dasmurph]

The catalytic converter is covered for 10 years and 100,000 miles. If you take it to any VW dealer they will replace it for free.

[noR]

Originally Posted by d_merry

The catalytic converter is covered for 10 years and 100,000 miles. If you take it to any VW dealer they will replace it for free.

Actually it's not really part of the drive train, it's an emissions item; I dunno if those are covered for as long.

Emissions are covered for 6yrs/80K I think?


I wish I knew which part you really need; I think you can get just a universal replacement for it. Should be able to for 200-300 $ I think. But I can't just point it out from a website, I'm sorry.

[barrabiuri]

i have currently 83,000 and my car is a 99. I just had it done. For emissions, VW has an extended warranty for 10 yrs. you just have to tell them you know about the warranty or they might want to charge you...

[noR]

Originally Posted by barrabiuri

i have currently 83,000 and my car is a 99. I just had it done. For emissions, VW has an extended warranty for 10 yrs. you just have to tell them you know about the warranty or they might want to charge you...

Crooks much?

[Smileybug]

Actually they have an extended warrenty on the cats don't they? for 12 years/120k. I got a letter in the mail about it.

Definitely mention the warranty. That can really save you the stress. VW dealers are crooks most of the time.

[Sashira]

Well actually, the garage told me that there is usually a warranty and my car is a 2000 with only 83,000 Kilometres on it.

I wasn't going to get into this long story however...here goes.

I bought my car VW certified in 2003 and I've been having trouble with the ABS light always on, so I finally went to a local dealer (I moved and was very tight on cash or where to go) where they informed me that the transmission mount had actually sheered off in some way, causing it to be lose and that is probably what messed up the sensor.

The theory is, the car bottomed out at some point. But no one (the garage, the dealer) can figure out how this happened. It wasn't me, as I would of noticed it immediately and I am a very cautious driver. My theory is it happened before I got the car or someone who serviced my car who took it for a test drive or something as I'm the only one who drives it.

Anyways, the dealer in February told me the situation and told me that it would be just fine leaving it that way. No rush in getting it fixed and the outrageous price they quoted me left me sweating bullets. It was $500 for the part plus 6 hour labor at $90 an hour.

Well that's when I sought out a new mechanic 2 weeks ago, as another light (emergency brake light) was coming on sporadically and had me worried.

They said that because of the trans mount being sheered (I mean it was actually missing a piece of metal, no one can figure it out.) it was probably causing the Abs light and Emergency brake light to come on.

Anyways, this garage charged me $270 (Labor and the trans mount) to replace it yesterday. They were also the ones to inform me of the problem with the catalytic converter. They said it probably will not be under warranty since the transmission mount was a problem.

/sigh So it should be under the warranty, but because VW told me I was fine to drive it like that, it probably won't be.

[noR]

Whatever, it should be. VW told you to drive it like htat. (IDIOTS!) how do you drive w/a missing motor mount? Jesus H ....


Glad you found a diff. mechanic.

I'm sure a universal catalytic converter may still work for you unless your state requires it be OEM.

And either way your dealership will warranty it; an ABS problem will not have caused your Cat to fail prematurely.

[Sashira]

Originally Posted by noR

Whatever, it should be. VW told you to drive it like htat. (IDIOTS!) how do you drive w/a missing motor mount? Jesus H ....


Glad you found a diff. mechanic.

I'm sure a universal catalytic converter may still work for you unless your state requires it be OEM.

And either way your dealership will warranty it; an ABS problem will not have caused your Cat to fail prematurely.

The VW dealer told me that the trans mount was very secure and it wouldn't cause any problems. However, the mechanic I went to yesterday said that some things were lose. In fact not screwed in properly, so while he was being nice to not say anything outright but I got the impression he believed that they didn't properly secure it down after they checked it.

So his assessment was due to things moving in there the catalytic converter rubbed up or was crushed or something or other.

But since it was in February, it will be my fault.

The mechanic yesterday says I need a catalytic converter with the clamp and gasket. How do I find this part with my VIN?

/sigh I love this car, but had I known all these expenses I'm not sure if I would of gotten it now.

I can't imagine the part can cost $800 /sigh

[Smileybug]

Well you can always talk to the dealer and see. Worst case is its not covered, and then you can take it somewhere else and buy your own parts so it will be cheaper. You should see if it is covered because then you won't have anything to worry about!

[Sashira]

Originally Posted by Smileybug

Well you can always talk to the dealer and see. Worst case is its not covered, and then you can take it somewhere else and buy your own parts so it will be cheaper. You should see if it is covered because then you won't have anything to worry about!

*Cackles*

If that happens, then I might just believe that life would be fair.

Impossible I say!

But I will try and give them a call and see what they have to say.

[noR]

Originally Posted by Sashira

I can't imagine the part can cost $800 /sigh

They often contain platinum. Not much but it's involved.



I don't know why your vin matters, call a local exhaust shop, and say you need a catalytic converter for a 2000 beetle w/a (whatever you have) engine.

See what they say.

[Sashira]

Well I guess I assumed the VIN matters, as the mechanic told me to make sure I inform them of the VIN number when ordering the parts.

I've never had to order a catalytic converter before (and I hope I never have to again!)