[Leftbehind126]

So I've been dealing with a CEL and Cruise control for the past week and a half or so. I went to autozone and had the code pulled - they told me I need a new Catalytic Converter. I went to carmax since my car is under warranty and after a 90 dollar diagnostic the only thing they could do is recommend I get the CC from somewhere else because it would cost like 1000 dollars to get it through them. (I'm confused as to what exactly the warranty is for then..) Anyways - I'm guessing CC are expensive - but if I was to just buy a new downpipe - would that replace the CC with it? I need to do emissions soon, so I'm screwed if I go now. Will I need to have a completely stock car to pass emissions?

[serdet]

what kind of warranty do you have? there is a 8 year 80,000 mile emissions warranty on your car from the factory where all of the emissions pieces like catalytic convertors are covered. If you have a p0420 take your car to a subaru dealer and let them fix it for free.

[Leftbehind126]

It's actually a warranty through carmax. Would a new downpipe fix it?

[upncummr]

Originally Posted by Leftbehind126

It's actually a warranty through carmax. Would a new downpipe fix it?

I think what serdet is suggesting is that you may still be under the Manufacturer's Warranty with regard to the emissions equipment.

Is your car less than 8 years old, does it have less than 80,000 miles? If so, you may be under the Manufacturer's Warranty. Get out your Owner's Manual and other documentation. (You'll need to confirm that there is an 8-year/80,000 mile warranty on emission equipment.)

If not, then maybe only your CarMax warranty would apply.

In that case, get out the CarMax warranty and read it carefully to find out what's covered and what's not covered.

A quick search of the CarMax web site shows:

What MaxCare doesn't cover

The following are not covered under your agreement:

Other normal maintenance services and parts including engine tune-up (includes spark plugs, glow plugs, ignition wires, distributor cap and rotor), carburetor, throttle body assembly (except injectors), batteries, filters, lubricants or fluids, air-conditioning refrigerant, engine coolant, all hoses and belts (not specifically listed), wiper blades, brake pads and shoes, brake rotors and drums, suspension alignment, tires, wheel covers, wheel rims, wheels, wheel balancing, shock absorbers, exhaust system, friction clutch disc and pressure plate, and clutch throw out bearing.

Gary

[offset]

If the cat has gone bad, replacing the factory DP (which includes the cat) with another factory DP (which includes the cat), certainly would. But of course you don't have to take my word for it; I will let some others chime in

offset

[Leftbehind126]

Alright - and when I go do the emission test or w/e - does my car have to be completely stock?

[upncummr]

Check w/ Maryland's Dept of Motor Vehicles. They'll have information about the vehicle inspections and what will cause a car not to pass. That way you'll have an "official" answer.

Try this. Maryland Smog Checks - Emissions Regulations, MD Smog Testing Stations - DMV.ORG

Types of Emissions Tests

The year of your vehicle determines what sort of testing it will undergo. Vehicles from the current two model years are exempt from the first round of testing. There are four varieties of analysis:
On-Board Diagnostics (OBD) Test

• For vehicles of model year 1996 and up and weighing under 8,500 pounds.

• What it does: Skips the tailpipe and exhaust completely and instead links into the vehicle's computer system (if it has one), searching for any sort of inconsistencies relating to the engine. If the Check Engine light blinks on at this point, things may not look so good for passing the test.

Gary

[scoobyracer369]

wat if you just totally did away with the cat all together is that bad??? JW

[Leftbehind126]

"
On-Board Diagnostics (OBD) Test

• For vehicles of model year 1996 and up and weighing under 8,500 pounds.

• What it does: Skips the tailpipe and exhaust completely and instead links into the vehicle's computer system (if it has one), searching for any sort of inconsistencies relating to the engine. If the Check Engine light blinks on at this point, things may not look so good for passing the test."

There were four tests, this and the gas cap test were the only ones that applied to my car. So to me this means that they won't be doing anything with the exhaust. So hopefully it doesn't have to be stock. Thanks for dealing with my stupidity

[offset]

Originally Posted by scoobyracer369

wat if you just totally did away with the cat all together is that bad??? JW

Well, that would be very bad if you were going to try and pass an emissions test. Otherwise it can be bad in other ways, some people don't like the smell, you are polluting the atmosphere worse, your car will not run good catless if it is not tuned for it, etc.

offset

[upncummr]

Originally Posted by Leftbehind126

There were four tests, this and the gas cap test were the only ones that applied to my car. So to me this means that they won't be doing anything with the exhaust. So hopefully it doesn't have to be stock. Thanks for dealing with my stupidity

If they're going to hook your car up through the diagnostic system, aren't they likely to discover the history of CEL with regard to the catalytic converter. Seems to me that could cause you to fail the inspection.

Only a functioning catalytic converter can resolve the problem.

You might try looking around online for replacement catalytic converters.

Gary

[Leftbehind126]

I know I'm going to have to replace the cat. I just wanted to see if i had to be full stock or if my Apexi GT Spec CBE would be fine on there with the silencer in.

[XxSCAxX]

they shouldnt give you trouble for just having a cbe. if they do, just remind them that they offer cbe's as an option (SPT)

[solovus]

YOU HAVE A FACTORY WARRANTY STILL THROUGH SUBARU....go use it.

[Leftbehind126]

Isn't the factory warranty up to 80,000 miles?

Considering I have 83,400 on my car - I think they would have a problem with that?