Question 1

What does a catalytic converter do?

Accepted Answer

A catalytic converter is a key component of your exhaust system. It changes harmful substances in a car’s exhaust gasses, such as carbon monoxide nitric oxide, and hydrocarbons, into less harmful gases, such as water vapour. Every car registered in the UK must have a catalytic converter fitted by law. It became standard for petrol vehicles in 1992, and 2001 for diesel cars.A typical catalytic converter is made of ceramic blocks with a porous structure. By coating the pores with a selection of valuable metals: platinum, rhodium and palladium, they act as a filter to break down the toxic exhaust gases produced by burning petrol.The metal coatings work far better as filters when they’re heated, so their position next to the engine offers the ideal environment for just that. The converter can then perform the chemical reaction required to break down the poisonous gasses into less harmful products with much greater ease.

Question 2

How often should a catalytic converter need replacing?

Accepted Answer

A catalytic converter will usually need to be replaced after 70,000-100,000 miles, or if you begin to experience any of the above symptoms. Regular maintenance and checks (including an MOT) will determine whether you need to replace your converter or if it’s good to go for a few more miles.How you drive, and the typical usage of your car, will affect its lifespan too. Your converter could wear out quicker if your car is predominantly used for short journeys in stop/start traffic. Your converter works better at a required temperature, so if it’s not getting the chance to heat up properly, it isn’t going to be as efficient. This could shorten its effective life.

Question 3

The law, vehicle regulations and your MOT

Accepted Answer

Your vehicle’s emissions will be measured during your MOT test. If your car is found to break the legal limits, then that’s an immediate fail.In 2020, almost 1.3 million vehicles failed their MOT test last year due to dangerously high emissions. If you’re trying to keep your motoring costs down, then MOT retests are easily avoidable with regular checks and good car maintenance.

Question 4

What happens during a catalytic converter replacement?

Accepted Answer

Our certified mechanics will:
Raise your car completely off the ground, making sure that the exhaust has had time to cool down before they begin the replacement.
Locate the catalytic converter. It usually looks like a box in the middle of the exhaust system underneath the car.
Remove the catalytic converter, inspect it and fit a replacement if necessary
Test the new catalytic converter, taking care to double check that the replacement catalytic converter is up to the correct specifications for the vehicle’s emissions standards.

Question 5

What causes a catalytic converter to break?

Accepted Answer

Most catalytic converters will last the lifetime of a vehicle. But in some cases, a converter will go bad and need to be replaced. Almost all problems with a catalytic converter are due to an engine issue. It is usually caused by excess fuel entering the exhaust system due to an incorrect air/fuel mixture, failing spark plugs, incorrect engine timing, a faulty oxygen sensor, or other issues where fuel leaves the engine’s combustion chamber unburned.When this happens, the catalytic converter gets too hot and begins to melt, causing significant performance problems. Without proper maintenance, carbon deposits can also clog the catalytic converter, or worst case, block it completely.

Question 6

When should a catalytic converter be replaced?

Accepted Answer

The expected lifespan of a catalytic converter is usually between 70,000 and 100,000 miles. Regular maintenance and checks (including an MOT) will determine whether you need to replace your converter or if it’s good to go for a few more miles.How you drive, and the typical usage of your car, will affect its lifespan too. Your converter could wear out quicker if your car is predominantly used for short journeys in stop/start traffic. Your converter works better at a required temperature, so if it’s not getting the chance to heat up properly, it isn’t going to be as efficient. This could shorten its effective life.

Question 7

What are the symptoms of a bad catalytic converter?

Accepted Answer

Usually, there a few signs you can look for:
Significantly reduced engine performance.
Dark smoke is coming from the exhaust.
Poor fuel efficiency.
If you experience issues while accelerating.
If you can smell sulfur (rotten eggs) coming from your car.
When the ‘check engine’ warning light illuminates.

Question 8

How often should you replace your catalytic converter?

Accepted Answer

A catalytic converter will usually need to be replaced after 70,000-100,000 miles, or if you begin to experience any of the above symptoms. Regular maintenance and checks (including an MOT) will determine whether you need to replace your converter or if it’s good to go for a few more miles.How you drive, and the typical usage of your car, will affect its lifespan too. Your converter could wear out quicker if your car is predominantly used for short journeys in stop/start traffic. Your converter works better at a required temperature, so if it’s not getting the chance to heat up properly, it isn’t going to be as efficient. This could shorten its effective life.

Question 9

What happens during a catalytic converter replacement?

Accepted Answer

Our certified mechanics will:
Raise your car completely off the ground, making sure that the exhaust has had time to cool down before they begin the replacement.
Locate the catalytic converter. It usually looks like a box in the middle of the exhaust system underneath the car.
Remove the catalytic converter, inspect it and fit a replacement if necessary
Test the new catalytic converter, taking care to double check that the replacement catalytic converter is up to the correct specifications for the vehicle’s emissions standards.

Question 10

What is the average life of a catalytic converter?

Accepted Answer

This can vary from car to car and from driver to driver, however the estimated lifespan of a catalytic converter is between 70,000-100,000 miles, or if you begin to experience any of the symptoms previously mentioned.

Question 11

Can you drive with a broken or missing catalytic converter?

Accepted Answer

Your car will most likely still be drivable, however bad catalytic converters are terrible for the environment, and driving without one is even worse. A blocked or damaged converter can cause further damage to your car, resulting in a more expensive repair in the long run.There are strict regulations and laws around vehicle emissions, therefore if you get caught by the police with a broken or missing catalytic converter you may be fined.

Question 12

What happens if you don't change a broken catalytic converter?

Accepted Answer

Failing to replace a catalytic converter can result in more damage to your car, poor fuel efficiency and a potential fine from the police. If the converter has begun to function poorly due to it being clogged up, it will cause the vehicle to run extremely poorly.

Question 13

Dacia

Accepted Answer

Dacia is a Romanian automobile manufacturer, established over 50 years ago in 1966, and has been a subsidiary of the French car manufacturer Renault since 1999.Dacia is Romania’s top company by revenue and the largest exporter, constituting 7.3% of the country’s total exports in 2014.

Question 14

How popular is Dacia in the United Kingdom?

Accepted Answer

Dacia offers great value budget motoring—but don’t think just because they’re cheap they’re not worth the money. The Sandero hatchback is Britain’s cheapest new car and has been receiving high praise from many of the critics and car reviewers throughout the country.There are currently 137k Dacia vehicles on the roads in the UK, but that number is showing steady, solid growth year by year. Having only been introduced into the UK market in 2013, and with the popularity growing through their more than affordable yet reliable cars, it’s looking like they’re only heading from strength to strength.

Question 15

Superb value city cars, MPVs and SUVs

Accepted Answer

With a neat but tidy range featuring the Logan estate, the Sandero hatchback, the Duster SUV and the Lodgy MPV, Dacia looks to be aiming primarily towards budget conscious family drivers.Yet with the provision of new technologies, the model platforms and the support of Renault behind them, they’re in a great position to offer not only the low prices they’re renowned for but with real substance to back them up.

Question 16

Dacia: Don’t let the UK numbers fool you

Accepted Answer

Despite being a relative newcomer to the UK market, Dacia has been manufacturing and selling cars around the world for a lot longer than they have here. The global success of this Romanian marque stands at over 4.5m units sold worldwide since the Renault supported relaunch in 2004. It became the fastest growing retail brand in Europe in 2017, with sales of the Sandero rising by 16%, and selling almost 200k units.

Question 17

Dacia’s reliability and reputation

Accepted Answer

Dacia ranked 13th place out of 30 car brands in the What Car? Reliability Survey in 2018, and for a budget car marque that isn’t something to be taken lightly. When you consider they ranked higher than some of the industry giants: Fiat, BMW, VW, Audi, Volvo—even Porsche and Mercedes-Benz—this is a marque that is making waves as the new kid on the block.

Question 18

Recent Dacia recalls and reliability issues

Accepted Answer

Various recalls have been made on Dacia models throughout their motoring history. The following are a list of the most recent in the UK and Europe.

Question 19

26/03/2019 – Dacia Logan (2017–2018)

Accepted Answer

The lower steering column mounting bracket

Question 20

04/01/2019 – Dacia Logan and Sandero (2018)

Accepted Answer

Driver’s airbag may not deploy correctly

Question 21

04/01/2019 – Dacia Logan and Sandero (2013–2015)

Accepted Answer

Risk of fuel leak

Question 22

04/04/2019 – Dacia Duster (2016–2017)

Accepted Answer

Trailer lighting may fail

Question 23

20/03/2019 – Dacia Logan (2017)

Accepted Answer

Front wheel hubs may crack

Question 24

19/09/2017 – Dacia Duster (2017)

Accepted Answer

Incorrect wiring in horn system can cause one or more safety faults

Question 25

20/12/2016 – Dacia Logan and Sandero (2012)

Accepted Answer

Driver’s airbag may not deploy

Question 26

23/02/2016 – Dacia Logan and Sandero (2015)

Accepted Answer

Steering may failAll recall information sourced from gov.co.uk data.

Car make and model	Average dealer price	Price estimate	Average savings
Dacia Logan MCV	£503	£397 - £485	£62
Dacia Sandero	£562	£392 - £479	£126
Dacia Logan	£503	£397 - £485	£62
Dacia Duster	£383	£311 - £380	£38
Dacia Logan	£503	£397 - £485	£62
Dacia Logan MCV	£503	£397 - £485	£62
Dacia Sandero	£562	£392 - £479	£126
Dacia Duster	£383	£311 - £380	£38
Dacia Logan MCV	£503	£397 - £485	£62
Dacia Sandero	£562	£392 - £479	£126
Dacia Logan	£503	£397 - £485	£62
Dacia Duster	£383	£311 - £380	£38
Dacia Logan	£503	£397 - £485	£62

Dacia catalytic converter replacement

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Our expert insights into Dacia catalytic converter replacement

Our expert insights into Dacia catalytic converter replacement

What does a catalytic converter do?

What are the symptoms of a failing catalytic converter?

What happens during a catalytic converter replacement?

How much does it cost to fix my car?

What does a catalytic converter do?

What are the symptoms of a failing catalytic converter?

What happens during a catalytic converter replacement?

How much does it cost to fix my car?

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London, UK

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