If you are replacing a catalytic converter for a customer, it is not the same as simply replacing a muffler or pipe. Since the catalytic converter is an emissions device that is federally and locally mandated, documentation is just as important as proper installation.
Documentation
Everybody hates paperwork, but if you replace a converter, federal and state programs have rules you must follow:
If the replacement is not required by a state or local program, both the customer and installer must sign a statement concerning why the converter was replaced. (Manufacturers either provide such a statement with the converter or have an example in their catalogs.)
If the replacement is required by a state or local program, the installer must keep a copy of the statement or order from the program representative.
The invoice for replacement must include the customer’s name and complete address, the vehicle’s make, model year and mileage, as well as the reason for replacement.
Retain copies of the above invoices and statements for six months and the replaced converters for 15 days (converters must be identified or marked as to which customer’s car they came from). The most significant difference between states is the length of time needed to keep documentation. California and New York require paperwork to be kept for at least four years.
Installation and Ordering Basics
When selecting and installing a converter, the catalog can be your best friend if you want to keep the car compliant with emissions regulations. Below are the basics you should follow, but always check with your emissions supplier’s catalog to make sure the replacement converter is properly sourced and installed.
Install the converter in the same location as the original.
Install the same type of converter as the original (oxidation, 3-way or 3-way-plus oxidation). This information is sometimes available on the emissions tune-up label or from the manufacturer’s application catalog.
Install the proper converter for the vehicle, as determined and specified by the converter manufacturer. There are engine size and vehicle weight limitations which make it inappropriate to install specific converters on certain vehicles. Newer vehicles with On-Board Diagnostic (OBD) systems may not always operate properly with certain aftermarket products. Therefore, the catalog should always be consulted for the correct application.
The converter must always be connected to any existing air injection components.
Install all the other required converters the vehicle would have originally come with unless the converter manufacturer has stated in writing that the aftermarket converter is designed to replace more than one converter.
For new aftermarket converters, the installer must fill out the warranty information card supplied by the manufacturer and give it to the vehicle owner or operator.
If You Don’t
Violating the EPA rules is a breach of federal law since noncompliance is likely to increase the amount of pollution coming out of the vehicle. Penalties for violations by individuals, service or repair shops, or fleet operators can be up to $2,500 per violation. (Each improper installation is considered a violation.) New-car dealers can be penalized up to $25,000 per violation. Any person who causes a violation could be subject to the same penalty as the technician.
New York State Environmental Conservation Law regarding catalytic converter installation mandates a minimum penalty of $500 for a first violation and up to $26,000 for each subsequent offense. Failure to maintain complete records or submit reports may also result in a violation.
For vehicles in California and other states that require the California Air Resources Board (CARB)-mandated emissions equipment, the rules are different. All of the same mandates apply, but they are much stricter about the replacement converter being CARB-compliant. Also, the CARB rules are based on a one-for-one replacement strategy, and the addition or consolidation of converters is forbidden.
It is important to check local and state laws before installation. New York, for instance, enacted a ban on installing used catalytic converters on vehicles.
