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Found catalytic converter leak during oil change?


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fulltruth
New User

May 30, 2012, 10:31 PM

Post #1 of 8 (2579 views)
Found catalytic converter leak during oil change? Sign In

2008 Subaru Impreza 2.5i, 60k miles

I took my car in for an oil change and the mechanic told me that the catalytic converter has a pressure leak, which will eventually cause the check engine light to come on, and then the car will fail the smog test here in California. My question is, could he possibly have detected this problem in the course of a routine oil change? I think he may be pulling my leg. (He also told me the power steering fluid was black and had debris in it.)

Thank you for your time!
Dan


Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
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May 31, 2012, 3:13 AM

Post #2 of 8 (2526 views)
Re: Found catalytic converter leak during oil change? Sign In

Run, run, run.................. far away from that shop.



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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.



Discretesignals
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May 31, 2012, 4:58 AM

Post #3 of 8 (2520 views)
Re: Found catalytic converter leak during oil change? Sign In

Maybe he meant the catalytic converter has an exhaust leak.





Since we volunteer our time and knowledge, we ask for you to please follow up when a problem is resolved.


Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Hammer Time profile image

May 31, 2012, 5:01 AM

Post #4 of 8 (2510 views)
Re: Found catalytic converter leak during oil change? Sign In

Business is slow and he's trying to drum up business.


Quote
He also told me the power steering fluid was black and had debris in it.




~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.



Discretesignals
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Discretesignals profile image

May 31, 2012, 5:06 AM

Post #5 of 8 (2504 views)
Re: Found catalytic converter leak during oil change? Sign In

You could always get a second opinion. It's not uncommon for mechanics to find things wrong during an oil change. In fact, it's good thing for them to inspect the vehicle during an oil change to see if there is any thing wrong or has the potential to cause problems later on and inform you of them. It's the ones that BS and tell you it needs something when it actually doesn't, that give the good ones a bad name. If you are unsure of what the mechanic is saying, have them show you exactly what the problem is or take it to your regular mechanic and have them confirm.





Since we volunteer our time and knowledge, we ask for you to please follow up when a problem is resolved.

(This post was edited by Discretesignals on May 31, 2012, 5:08 AM)


Tom Greenleaf
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May 31, 2012, 5:50 AM

Post #6 of 8 (2495 views)
Re: Found catalytic converter leak during oil change? Sign In

Thought I'd replied to this already but probably forgot to hit send.

Yes it's nice when advised of problems but this doesn't seem right to me. For PS fluid - on your own just waste a cheap turkey baster, put fluid in clean glass jar and look at it. Run that thru a coffee filter and see what really shows - probably nothing but wet from the fluid. Throw the baster away and refill with new fluid.

Anything is possible but a 2008 w 60K this seems unlikely to me. IMO if CEL isn't on and the rest of things checked for Calif. inspection are in order than it should pass.

MA quit doing the dyno thing as too many cars flew off and went thru a wall - no joke. Just rely on 96 and up what the computer says and the safety checks etc.,

T



fulltruth
New User

Jun 4, 2012, 3:11 PM

Post #7 of 8 (2437 views)
Re: Found catalytic converter leak during oil change? Sign In

Thanks for the help, guys. It sounds like the only way to be sure is to get a second opinion, so that's what I'm gonna do.


Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
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Jun 4, 2012, 3:40 PM

Post #8 of 8 (2433 views)
Re: Found catalytic converter leak during oil change? Sign In

Good luck. I think that's the best idea,

T







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