WWYD - Car Repair?

[jlutgendorf]

So, our pick up failed emission, just the NOx 50/15.

Went to a mechanic recommended by a friend and they said that there are two things we can do: run diagnostics for $65 an hour, or replace the catalytic converter for around $260ish (includes parts, labor, taxes). He said when they get cars with this problem, it's almost always the catalytic converter.

My partner wants to go ahead and just replace the CC in the hopes that will lower emissions enough to pass and save us $65+ in diagnostics. I want to run diagnostics as my research shows that the first thing that should be checked is the EGR valve. I guess it's easier and cheaper to check out that valve first? Plus we get no guarantee that if the CC is replaced, it will pass emissions. It might not, then we do have to run diagnostics.

Sooooo . . . what would you do? It would help if I was even remotely car savvy. I'm going to google where to find the CC and the EGR valve.

Fun times!

~Julia

[ShaggyDaddy]

what year and model is your car.

if it is post 1996 then you should have a check engine light, do you?

If you do, go to Autozone and ask them to pull the check engine code for you (this is a free service). WRITE DOWN the code (regardless of if they tell you what it means or not). Come home and google your heart out.

If it is a post 1996 and you have a check engine light (CEL) then it will tell you if it is the EGR or the Cat efficiency or whatever. Many cars have a (state mandated) warrenty on just the exhaust system that goes WAY beyond normal warrentys, like 14 years in some cases.

[jlutgendorf]

It's a '94 Chevy S-10, so would that still apply. It must have a CEL. I don't think I've ever been in one without.

Can you still get an engine code if the CEL isn't on? (there are no dashboard lights on).

Thanks!

~Julia

[zersha]

Wow, that is really tough. My first thought would be to just pay the $260 to replace the cc, but you don't know for sure that's the problem, so you could be out that, plus have to pay to find/fix the other problem.

Have they given you an estimate of how long the diagnostic would take? I would seriously have a problem with letting a mechanic have free reign to charge $65/hr just to look for a problem with no time estimate.

We don't have emmission testing here, and almost every shop will look for the problem and give you an estimate for free, so this really sounds sucky. I think sometimes I've heard about diagnostic offers (I think usually when purchasing a used car) that cost $35 total, not per hour.

I would check around at a couple other mechanics. But I suppose it's different in GA than it is here in ND. It's pretty easy to find a dependable, honest mechanic. Are there any other people you could ask for recommendations?

[ShaggyDaddy]

it will not work to use the standard tester, but call the autozones near you and ask if they can pull codes for an "OBD 1" computer.

you are in luck! it was 1996 that the US gov required all cars to be OBD II compatable, but in the early 1990s many car companies used the original OBD I standard including the chevy S10.