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The mkiv Supra Owners Club

Catalytic Converter so I can pass my MOT!!


mitchell

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Hi there,

 

Just had a fail on my MOT as apparently the cone inside my Catalytic Converter has busted. Apparently I need to replace the Catalytic Converter.

 

My car is a 1994 N/A Import manual so if anyone can help get me back on the road that would be great.

 

Cheers

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Hi, I bought a pair of low mileage ones from Suprastar3000 (Eddiebear) a year ago for an NA that I sold so never used them. I don't think it makes any difference being manual or auto but best to check. Which one is it that you need?

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Workarounds include, an engine service/tune, taking out the O2 sensors and soaking them in lemon juice overnight, running the tank low then put in some 99, give it a good thrashing, pulling out the AIT sensor and dangling it somewhere warm which will lean out the mixture.

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I've never heard of one busting, but if you need to borrow one (even long term), I have a spare 2nd cat in the shed you can use.

Need to know which cat they said was faulty, but I guess even they don't know!

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Hi Guys, thanks for the info. I will find out which one is faulty. The car makes a funny noise at 2200 revs no matter what gear and they believe its down to the cone inside the cat. Not sure if both cats have this cone or not? Thanks for the loan offer but I think I require a permanent solution as hopefully then it will be done and dusted. Interesting info about the emissions though and it seems the tester possibly needs reeducating on the emission level pass/ fail rates on an NA.

 

Whats the bet when I call them tomorrow and ask which cat I need, they dont even realise there are 2!

 

Happy days!

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Hi Guys, thanks for the info. I will find out which one is faulty. The car makes a funny noise at 2200 revs no matter what gear and they believe its down to the cone inside the cat. Not sure if both cats have this cone or not? Thanks for the loan offer but I think I require a permanent solution as hopefully then it will be done and dusted. Interesting info about the emissions though and it seems the tester possibly needs reeducating on the emission level pass/ fail rates on an NA.

 

Whats the bet when I call them tomorrow and ask which cat I need, they dont even realise there are 2!

 

Happy days!

 

They might have said/meant comb, as in honeycomb. It sort of resembles tightly rolled up corrugated cardboard inside. Chances are anything could be wrong with it if they don't know a converter from a straight pipe. Sounds like a vacuum leak to me! :)

 

Tell me, do you have adjustable breather vents on your vacuum piping above the back of the engine? Anodised gold perhaps? My NA had two sprung valves that screwed in and out with a thin steel membrane and gauze filter and they made a high pitched squeal when the valves were adjusted to a certain pressure where the membrane let in air if they weren't tightened down. They could be used to manually adjust the idle speed but let extra air in under high vacuum/throttle. Not sure of their intended purpose though; perhaps AFR adjustment at WOT?

 

The nearest sound I could compare it to is one of those rolled up paper party kazoos with the reed and a wire spring that extends and retracts when you blow them.

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Hiya - most of that went over my head to be honest. One thing I do know is that it doesnt resemble a kazoo on the sound front! It is a very metal sounding vibration with a lowish pitch. I think they do mean the comb rather than cone (i must be getting on if the old hearing is failing!). Do both CATs have the comb in? At the moment im trying to find out what CAT they perceive as being the problem....the garage probably didnt even know there are 2!

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Hi - Its actually passed the MOT as a favour apparently! They have said it wont next time around.

 

The main issue is the noise from my point of view as its pretty terrible so really need to get it sorted. Im going to look underneath again tonight to see if I can see anything loose that could be the issue. They did pick up that the comb had deteriorated at the MOT so I think they have presumed it has gotten worse and is now the cause of the rattling. Ive sent an email to them to outline my frustrations and requested answers to questions. Still nothing received so think this will be the last time I use them. They just can be bothered basically.

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I've never heard of one busting, but if you need to borrow one (even long term), I have a spare 2nd cat in the shed you can use.

Need to know which cat they said was faulty, but I guess even they don't know!

 

when i had a 2nd decat put in the box was actually empty had fallen apart

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Still not heard anything back from them so time to take the Supra to another garage I think

 

I think you'd be better off finding another local member who can help you. Surely someone must be able to pop round and give a diagnosis? Where exactly are you, to the nearest town?

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Hi guys, ive progressed things to the service manager as i had issue with the Mrs car also that they were shoddy on. I got this response back from him in reference to the Supra:

 

"The technician feels with the Supra that the first CAT has failed and debris from this breaking down has been carried forward in to the section carrying the second. The second CAT is housed inside the first section of the exhaust so unfortunately we have now way of knowing for sure if this has actually failed or not. Toyota have faxed us over the parts schematic and are quoting £545 + VAT for the first and £459 + VAT for the second. Please let me know if you would like me to fax or email this to you so you have the relevant part numbers."

 

Does the N/A actually require complete replacement CAT units to get fixed? I noticed a few Supra exhaust parts on EBay that seem to be able to replace the back end of the exhaust system. Sorry if im being stupid here but I know very little about this sort of thing. The ads ive seen are as follows:

 

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/TOYOTA-SUPRA-MK4-2JZ-STAINLESS-CAT-BACK-EXHAUST-SYSTEM-/150531211561?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item230c5c0129

 

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/TOYOTA-SUPRA-TURBO-JZA80-STAINLESS-STEEL-DE-CAT-PIPE-/140401072638?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item20b08e59fe

 

If the rear part of the exhaust section does need replacing, I wouldnt mind it being changed for a more throaty sounding exhaust so not sure if this is an option as part of the change over/ repair?!

 

Cheers for your help guys

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Hi Morpheus, I dont have the room really although the guy opposite me spends most of his weekends under his car in the close! I have a large drive but its on a dangerous angle so wouldnt chance ramps there! I have a garage literally a 3 min trip away from me so may drop in on them to see if their attitude is helpful or the usual "gonna cost ya" type scenario!

 

Cheers, G

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Safe to say, if it's a garage it's gonna cost ya but by all means get a second opinion. The worst they can do is give it a quick inspection and quote you.

 

Why not ask your opposite neighbour if he'll take a look? He's obviously a keen mechanic and would probably love to take your car to pieces and probably won't charge you a penny either.

 

What he'll charge to put it back together is another matter. :D

 

He might even come with you to the garage or recommend another one, if he hasn't time. There's no better ice-breaker than two blokes talking about their cars. Maybe wander over and show an interest in his one to get the ball rolling?

 

"Hi, I noticed that you're always under your car and I have this exhaust rattle, etc."

 

He'll probably say that he's heard it many times and thinks it's your retaining bracket or whatever.

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