fonzooorooo 10 Posted April 24, 2013 Our recently purchased 1994 2L 8V has been de-catted. As I understand things, last year that was an MOT advisory, and this year it'll be a fail. ... So I'll be in the market for a new cat. My Dad (an avid reader of Honest John's column in the Telegraaarrfff) has flagged up that a lot of cheap aftermarket cats are exhibiting VERY poor life expectancy (barely a year in some cases!) So... What have you got fitted? How long has it lasted? Who supplied? I obviously don't want to fork out for a cheapie cat that'll die before it's next MOT, and can't help but anticipate big bucks for a dealer item! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
VAG-hag 0 Posted April 24, 2013 ouch! I would have a look for a breaker mate & try to get a 2nd hand genuine one. mine is 18 years old & is bang on :) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wendy 0 Posted April 24, 2013 And................ I was expecting athread of the Furry Animals, possibly showing their Nine Lives !! Oh well !!! :D Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wullie 1 Posted April 24, 2013 Just for you Wendy.One of my cats pretending to have used up all its lives. [ATTACH=CONFIG]73736[/ATTACH] Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Stonejag 10 Posted April 24, 2013 Find a friendlier MOT garage? Mine digs Stevie Wonder up every year to look at my exhaust... :lol: Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
fonzooorooo 10 Posted April 25, 2013 Wullie: Nice! I have considered just leaving it, seeing what my MOT guy says, (plead ignorance if he flags it up!) and if i need one, it looks like there're a couple on ebay with 2 year warranties... I use the same MOT place every time, for all the cars, he's (relatively) cheap, and seems totally fair... It's one of those things where I WANT an honest test - I want everything "right" and as a DIY spanner-er, it's easy to miss stuff that he'll spot easily on the ramp! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
VAG-hag 0 Posted April 25, 2013 Ask the tester in advance and you will save the retest charge. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
fonzooorooo 10 Posted June 22, 2013 So, I got hold of a 2nd hand (original) cat off a mate breaking a B3 passat. 'rado went for MOT yesterday - emissions of 1.6%. Dammit!!!! I'll whack it on the CO meter and see if I can get it down on the mixture (de-cat guy could've cranked the fuel up) Does anyone know the ideal CO% for these? (I know the MOT limit's 0.2%) ... Just handy to have a number to work to! At least the other 2 fail points weren't too bad - (1) wipers not clearing the screen (screen's warped - wipers are new - going to try old fashioned wipers and stronger springs in the wiper arm(!) and (2) Number plates too small - lettering and spacing correct, but 2 digit reg, so someone put shortened plates on. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mic_VR 3 Posted June 22, 2013 Shame it's not a VR6 as I've got a spare you could've had for nowt. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
craigowl 0 Posted June 23, 2013 And................ I was expecting athread of the Furry Animals, possibly showing their Nine Lives !! Oh well !!! :D Saw part of a documentary this week and thought the same as you, Wendy! Miaoww! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
davidwort 0 Posted June 23, 2013 I've a new cat on my 8v that was 45 quid! Trade price from ecp iirc, clearly smaller and cheaply made compared to a vw original but it's done two years mot with spot on emissions. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
fonzooorooo 10 Posted June 24, 2013 Sorted. As I hoped, whoever de-catted had adjusted the air flow sensor. Gave it a tweek back 3 notches to give a pre-cat CO of about 1% back for the re-test and got: CO limit: 0.2% 'rado: 0.02% HC: limit: 200 'rado: 16 Lambda needs to be between 0.97 and 1.03... 'rado is 1.022 So that's a pass. Job done! Cheers for the input! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
