# I have been told by a mechanic I need a special catalytic converter

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/i-have-been-told-by-a-mechanic-i-need-a-special-catalytic-converter/64368>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Created:** [May 3, 2011, 8:54pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/i-have-been-told-by-a-mechanic-i-need-a-special-catalytic-converter/64368 "2011-05-03T20:54:37Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 2

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**Author:** ![piter\_devries](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/aca169/32.png) [@piter\_devries](https://community.cartalk.com/u/piter_devries)\
**Post date:** [May 8, 2011, 9:48pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/i-have-been-told-by-a-mechanic-i-need-a-special-catalytic-converter/64368/21 "2011-05-08T21:48:40Z")

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"_2004 model year with 17,000 miles? The catalytic converter on your vehicle is covered by the 8 year/80,000 mile EPA mandated emission warranty. This means the dealer must install a new cataytic converter in your vehicle at no cost to you._

Tester "

How can a part that’s been removed from the vehicle be covered under the warranty?

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**Author:** ![Manolito](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/manolito/32/3070_2.png) [@Manolito](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Manolito)\
**Post date:** [May 8, 2011, 10:16pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/i-have-been-told-by-a-mechanic-i-need-a-special-catalytic-converter/64368/22 "2011-05-08T22:16:24Z")

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When you say that you bought it “As is”, I presume that this means that you got if from a dealer? If so, look into your local laws to see if the dealer has some liability for selling a vehicle with an altered emission control system.

In my state, the term “As is”, when used by a dealer, has some limits. The vehicle has to be legal to operate on the highway, and safe.

Back when I was turning a wrench for a living, I ran several dealers through the wringer on “As is” sales. Some low income single mom would come in to my shop with her freshly purchased vehicle. A quick inspection showed that the vehicle was garbage, abused, neglected, and held together with wire and bondo, and/or with a fraudulent emission inspection. If I could find ANYTHING wrong with the emission controls, the brakes, or the steering, I would, at a minimum, make the dealer fix that for free. Often, they bought the junker back from her rather than fix it, and they presumably sold it to another sucker.

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**Author:** ![piter\_devries](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/aca169/32.png) [@piter\_devries](https://community.cartalk.com/u/piter_devries)\
**Post date:** [May 8, 2011, 11:54pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/i-have-been-told-by-a-mechanic-i-need-a-special-catalytic-converter/64368/23 "2011-05-08T23:54:05Z")

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Then you and Michael Caine as Alfred supervised the rebuild of Wayne Manor, with special attention to the southeastern foundation.

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