catalytic converter guide?

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Zodiac69 864, M.B.A. - 02 Mar 2005 01:13 GMT

I manage a new emissions testing station and I'm about to get an influx of
new employees who know little or nothing about cars. One of the tests we do
is a visual check for a catalytic converter. My question: does anyone out
there know of a guide that details possible locations for a catalytc
converter by make, model, etc? We have one for the OBD port but not for the
catalytic converters. If I could find something for the lane inspectors to
reference if they can't find the cat, it would save both me and the
customers a lot of trouble.

Zodiac69

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Nate Nagel - 02 Mar 2005 01:14 GMT

> I manage a new emissions testing station and I'm about to get an influx of
> new employees who know little or nothing about cars. One of the tests we do
[quoted text clipped - 6 lines]
>
> Zodiac69

Shouldn't be necessary, really, the cat will always be fairly close to
the engine due to the need for fast light-off.

nate

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Zodiac69 864, M.B.A. - 02 Mar 2005 01:18 GMT

>> I manage a new emissions testing station and I'm about to get an influx
>> of new employees who know little or nothing about cars. One of the tests
[quoted text clipped - 9 lines]
> Shouldn't be necessary, really, the cat will always be fairly close to the
> engine due to the need for fast light-off.

It shouldn't, but some of them can be under the hood, on various sides of
the vehicle, etc as opposed to the normal place and for someone just
starting out, it can be difficult to find depending on the model. I'm just
worried about inexperienced inspectors passing a car that should fail and/or
failing a car that should pass.

Zodiac69

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aarcuda69062 - 02 Mar 2005 01:33 GMT

In article <0m8Vd.20528$Q47.10486@bignews5.bellsouth.net>,
"Zodiac69 864, M.B.A."
<phantom_stranger423@SPAMTHISJABRONIyahoo.com> wrote:

> I manage a new emissions testing station and I'm about to get an influx of
> new employees who know little or nothing about cars. One of the tests we do
[quoted text clipped - 6 lines]
>
> Zodiac69

This is exactly what you want;

http://buymitchell1.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product
_Code=ECAT05

The state of Wisconsin uses these manuals in their emissions
program.
Covers 1967 thru 2005

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Daniel J. Stern - 02 Mar 2005 18:00 GMT

> I manage a new emissions testing station and I'm about to get an influx of
> new employees who know little or nothing about cars.

Then it is your job to train them.

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Bob Paulin - 02 Mar 2005 19:36 GMT

Zodiac69 864, M.B.A. <phantom_stranger423@SPAMTHISJABRONIyahoo.com> wrote

> I manage a new emissions testing station and I'm about to get an influx of
> new employees who know little or nothing about cars. One of the tests we do
[quoted text clipped - 6 lines]
>
> Zodiac69

I see this as a sad, but accurate, commentary on the whole emissions
testing industry which seems to be growing like a virus out there.

Here is an outfit that positions itself as having the expertise to certify
that emissions control equipment is up to standards, yet they do not
provide the most basic of training materials for the people whom they hire
to do that certification - apparently "off the street" with no automotive
backgrounds.....most likely at near-minimum wage.

How would you like to have THESE people - people who may or may not be able
to point to a catalytic converter - certifying that YOUR car DOES or DOES
NOT meet highly technical, emission control standards.

The same sort of situation occured in Maine a few years ago when an outside
firm contracted to do emission testing for the State, but the program
didn't last a year when it was discovered that the people hired off the
street at $7-per-hour - with absolutely no automotive backgrounds
whatsoever - were totally incompetent in emissions testing.

DUH!!!!!

Instead of raking in an unearned windfall based on using Federal laws to
charge exhorbitant inspection fees ($40) while paying near-minimum wages,
the company went bankrupt.

I would wish the same plague on all others - including the one refered to
above - who see emissions testing as a quick way to a fortune.

I find it appalling that there are STILL states out there who are
introducing these programs, given the numerous examples of incompetence,
unethical business practices, fraud, and general motorist ripoffs that are
on record out there from similar programs in the past.

Follow the dollar........

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