Trading in truck without catalytic convertor

[kc5dlo]

A couple of points I would like to add. The truck is a used vehicle. It would not be illegal or unethical to replace with a used converter. An aftermarket converter would also be acceptable and much cheaper. The dealership is wanting to make a large profit on the sale as well as get it fixed.

My thought is that the truck might have actually been sold and the new owners are the ones that found out about the missing converter. Find a shop that will do the job cheaper and hand the dealership the quote and a check.

Then go after the original owner that took off the converter and sold the truck first.

 

[turnkey4099]

A couple of points I would like to add. The truck is a used vehicle. It would not be illegal or unethical to replace with a used converter. An aftermarket converter would also be acceptable and much cheaper. The dealership is wanting to make a large profit on the sale as well as get it fixed.

My thought is that the truck might have actually been sold and the new owners are the ones that found out about the missing converter. Find a shop that will do the job cheaper and hand the dealership the quote and a check.

Then go after the original owner that took off the converter and sold the truck first.

I had the entire exhaust system from the the back of the converter on fall off on my beater wood hauler. Cat was shot but it was there. Shop hooked up to the old converter, no problem. They also quoted me a new cat at around $200 IIRC.

Hawrry K

 

[Garandman]

Here is where I got that law from
http://epa.ohio.gov/portals/27/echeck/docs/tamper_law.pdf

And the FAQ's are a good read
http://epa.ohio.gov/portals/27/echeck/docs/exhaust_repair_guidelines.pdf

Lot of stuff I didnt know.

Interesting.

Question 5. Are there any general guidelines for repair shops about the kind of exhaust work that can be legally performed on a previously tampered vehicle?

Answer 5. Repair shops must restore vehicles exhaust systems to their original catalyst configuration if they work on that part of the exhaust system. Ohio EPA is not currently pursuing enforcement action against repair shops that perform repairs on one part of a vehicle exhaust system if tampering has occurred in another part of the system. Ohio EPA does require, however, that when working on a vehicle where the catalytic converter has been removed, the repair shop must replace the catalytic converter if the section of pipe where the original converter should have been, needs to be replaced, or is even moved to perform work.

This would also include situations where the entire exhaust pipe is replaced. Repair shops must install a catalytic converter when replacing the entire exhaust system if the certified configuration required a catalytic converter. You should also be aware of the installation requirements applicable to aftermarket catalytic converters which comply with U.S. EPA requirements.

 

[bcp]

Can't even legally re-install your old one if it falls off.

http://www3.epa.gov/otaq/cert/factshts/catcvrts.pdf

(5) What about using converters from salvage yards or junked cars?

EPA considers it a violation of the policy to install a used converter from a salvage yard or sell it for reuse unless it has been properly tested and labeled. Similarly, it is a violation to install an untested used converter brought in by a customer, even if the customer insists that the used converter came off his/her vehicle.
Salvage or junk yards also would be considered liable for causing tampering if they sell converters that have not been tested or do not meet the requirements outlined in the policy and if the converters are subsequently installed by parties named in the Clean Air Act as prohibited from tampering.

 

[LD1]

Yep, it is very strange.

Any shop or dealer is able to work on a vehicle that has been tampered with, BUT they are not allowed to touch the tampered parts, if they do, they have to make it right. (ofcourse they have the option to deny work if customer refuses to pay to make it right)

IE: truck comes in for a trans issues. If the y-pipe has to be R&R'd, and there is no cat, the shop cannot legally do the job without replacing the cat (customer pays for ofcourse). Otherwise the shop is in violation of tampering.

OR, need to replace a waterpump, and you need to remove a bracket where an air pump "used to be" . You cannot put things back together without putting the proper air pump back on.

 

[truckdiagnostics]

Wow who would have thunk it. And your not in say California, now I will have to check and see what Wisconsin has to say for themselves. Gotta admit the dealership has got a pair for asking. I wonder if there is a way to find out how many people have been fined. Sounds like it would be awful hard to enforce.

 

[LD1]

Update:He gave the dealer $400 to be done with it.

bout 1/2 the cost they were quoting for a new converter installed. He said he just didnt have time to mess with it, otherwise he would have gotten either a $150 aftermarket or junkyard one and welded it in himself. Really didnt want to nix the deal as he liked the new truck and didnt want the old one back.

 

[LD1]

Update:He gave the dealer $400 to be done with it.

bout 1/2 the cost they were quoting for a new converter installed. He said he just didnt have time to mess with it, otherwise he would have gotten either a $150 aftermarket or junkyard one and welded it in himself. Really didnt want to nix the deal as he liked the new truck and didnt want the old one back.

 

[truckdiagnostics]

Well have to apologize to California and Texas you need to be worried. The law goes back a ways, but near as i can figure Ohio has just defined it better than the other states. Goes back to the 1990 Clean Air Act and it is a federal law. That law basically makes it so we can tattle on each other. If you sell the vehicle and it has been modified as the seller you are held responsible. Don't know how enforceable it is but it is out there. And tamper/modified is basically anything from stock. So, when it comes to emissions it seller, your holding the bag.

 

[Retiredguy2]

Update:He gave the dealer $400 to be done with it.

bout 1/2 the cost they were quoting for a new converter installed. He said he just didnt have time to mess with it, otherwise he would have gotten either a $150 aftermarket or junkyard one and welded it in himself. Really didnt want to nix the deal as he liked the new truck and didnt want the old one back.

Query here: What was the trade in truck (year and model) and what was the new one (ditto)? Been wondering about those since the thread started. Seems pretty obvious others might be wondering themselves.....