Unofficialbmw.com

mif_slim · Joined: 28 Sep 2004 Posts: 967 Location: sacramento

I have had my E36 since 97. In 2007 my cat converter finally gave out on me and I been looking around for a cat but they all ranged in the 1800+ (Im in CA) so I havent found the courage to fork over 1800+ for the cat. Its been sitting in my gurage and I havent driven it in so long! I turn on the engine, change the oil every 3 months and I wash the car.
lol, my wife got on my case one day when it was lightly sprinkling and I backed out the car and gave it a wash. She's like, 'OMG! Your not washing the car we drive everyday but your washing the car you dont even drive?!?!"

Ah, I miss the power, the sound of the exhaust and the feel of the car hugg'n dem turns....I might drag it out to autocross one day! at least there you dont have to registar it! LOL.

Pray for me that I get my cat soon...Im in need of letting her loose into the wild again!
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IIVII II IF

Fitz · Joined: 03 Apr 2007 Posts: 215 Location: Sunny England

just get a second hand one off ebay.
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Pete

walshja · Joined: 03 Apr 2001 Posts: 1128 Location: guilford, ct, usa

I have the same problem with my 1999 528iT, except it has 2 cats that are bad, which cost the same.

I may trade the car in, having a tough time justifying spending $3k+ on the car my wife hates.

I never see used cats on eBay, thought I read that was not legal in the US, am I wrong?
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joe

1994 325iC, 195k miles
http://home.comcast.net/~walshja/index.html <--- check it out

geminiys · Joined: 13 Oct 2004 Posts: 168 Location: SF, California

If you are looking for new Cats that are California Certified, check this place out: http://www.ultimategarage.com/shop/part.php?products_id=1663
For E36 OBDII they charge ~$800 for 2 Cats but check the price over for reassurance. My friend from CA purchased 2 cats from them 2 years ago and they are still fine.

PJK · Posted: Tue Jun 15, 2010 2:10 am Post subject:

This is good news. Last time I just made it for smog. I'm thinking next time is going to be new cat time.

My understanding is that aftermarket cats are tightly controlled in California if they are available at all. Used cats are out of the question. The wrecking yards won't sell them. I will be checking the URL to see if they can help me if I fail smog next time.

Phil

walshja · Joined: 03 Apr 2001 Posts: 1128 Location: guilford, ct, usa

I just got goose bumps myself !!

they have them for my 528iT, for a fraction of the cost the dealer is asking.

this is THOUSANDS less !!!!!

thank you thank you thank you !!!!
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joe

1994 325iC, 195k miles
http://home.comcast.net/~walshja/index.html <--- check it out

mif_slim · Joined: 28 Sep 2004 Posts: 967 Location: sacramento

thanks guys! im actually starting to have hope once again. haha. I just got new heater core and a new blower. After that, my Cat converter and im on my way to driving my car again!

Then paint job which the shop I went to have life time and also need new door handles...some reason it wont open well on me anymore. Sad

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IIVII II IF

walshja · Joined: 03 Apr 2001 Posts: 1128 Location: guilford, ct, usa

update on cat converters

my wifes 528iT has 2 bad cat converters, and I failed emissions

cost for new cats was in the $1,700 for each, aftermarket ones could be found for $500 each, but I understand they won't last long at all.

so the registration expired on the wifes car, forcing me to address the check engine light, and I found this product
http://www.amazon.com/Cataclean-Engine-Catalytic-Converter-Treatment/dp/B002BVXM92/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=automotive&qid=1283552306&sr=8-2

tank got down to 1/4 full, dumped the entire contents in the tank, about 50 miles later the check engine light goes off !!! I fill the tank, head to emissions, pass with flying colors !!!

I used this product about a month ago, but my wife never told me the check engine light went off, until it came back on.

So this is a temporary 'fix' that will get you through emissions in a pinch. the cats are not fixed, but I don't have to think about this problem right now !!
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joe

1994 325iC, 195k miles
http://home.comcast.net/~walshja/index.html <--- check it out

Henry · Joined: 03 Apr 2001 Posts: 2869 Location: NYC

Why don't you contact Pelican Parts, BMP Design or Bavarian Autosports/
They carry cats...and perhaps you can get an Original Equipment cats without further ado.

PJK · Posted: Sat Sep 04, 2010 1:39 am Post subject:

Hi Henry,

Thanks for posting this. I buy almost all my BMW parts from Pelican yet I didn't they sold cats. I never looked. I just thought cats had to come from the dealer in California and that was all there was to that.

I am planning to go for my smog test tomarrow and I am worried. It was a huge effort last time and I barely passed.

I have about 270k miles on my car. So it is good to know there are cats available without taking out a loan on my house.

If I fail I may try the elexar Joe used before poping ~ $700 for a cat even from Pelicon.

Phil

PJK · Posted: Sun Sep 05, 2010 9:59 pm Post subject:

My fears have been relized. I failed all of the gasses at 15 mph and HC at both 15 and 25 mph. The high NO suggests false air at low speed however CO and HC are also high and the idle is smooth and I don't hear air leaks. That info would argue against an air leak.

At 272k miles I am guessing the cat is gone.

I still have no answer from Pelcon about the legality of their cat in CA.

More tomarrow.

Phil

walshja · Joined: 03 Apr 2001 Posts: 1128 Location: guilford, ct, usa

Phil, give the magic elixir a shot !! at a minimum it will get you through emissions . . .

Do you have any idea how or what the product is doing? I'm curious why an additive would change the emissions output so much as to allow my car to pass. Why not include this additive in all gas then???
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joe

1994 325iC, 195k miles
http://home.comcast.net/~walshja/index.html <--- check it out

PJK · Posted: Mon Sep 06, 2010 9:43 pm Post subject:

Hi Joe,

Don't think I am not being tempted. If I were failing by a small amount I would probably rationalize and say what the heck it isn't all that bad and I'd be tempted to fudge the test with the elixir. My HC at 15 mph is 222 PPm vs 86 PPM which is allowed and 44 PPM typical. That strikes me as huge.

I can't in good consience drive around in a car which is that far over the limit.

It really gives me heartburn to send my e36 which runs great for a car with more than a quarter million miles on it to the junk yard.

Chemistry was not my best subject but I am guessing that they have some compounds of platnum and other stuff which is in cats. The compounds probably break down and plate the stuff on the ceranic in the cat, restoring its function for a while.

Hopefully tomarrow I can find a smog guru who can tell me what it will take to get this car to pass.

Phil

PJK · Posted: Tue Sep 07, 2010 3:21 pm Post subject:

Here is the latest. I found a place in Placerville CA which will diagnose smog failures. If it is the cat they will replace it for less than $500 installed. They dirll a hole in the exhaust pipe pre cat and put the test probe in there. If the gases are within the limits of what a cat should deal with they will condem the cat.

I have an appointment for tomarrow morning.

Phil

walshja · Joined: 03 Apr 2001 Posts: 1128 Location: guilford, ct, usa

Phil, does $500 get you a BMW cat? or aftermarket. That's a pretty decent price!!
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joe

1994 325iC, 195k miles
http://home.comcast.net/~walshja/index.html <--- check it out