My CEL has come on and I'm being told that the code indicates that the catalytic converters are failing.

The garage is telling me that the only way to replace them on my car requires the entire engine to pulled out. Given the hours required to do that, it would raise the price of this repair to over $3K.

Does this make any sense?

I live in a state that requires emissions inspections ever two years, and mine is due in May. I'm just not sure that I want to put that kind of money into a repair for a car that's 5 years old and has 94000 miles on it. This may push me to selling.

Thanks.

 

You will not be able to sell in a state such as California where you must first smog the car before signing the papers.
You may want to investigate alternatives such as straight pipes with CAT eliminators, or other after-market exhaust systems.
Cats for Audis are expensive. I was quoted $1,100 each a few years ago. Add labor to that and you easily get to $3k.
Like I said, explore alternatives first and try to keep your car.

 

Just my two cents but why not go to a site like ECS or Summit Racing, buy two universal cats and go to the exhaust shop and have them replaced? That's how I build all my custom exhausts. The other alternative is to go to Autozone and get Emissions Pass I think it's called and run it through with a full tank and it might clean your converters. It's worth a shot. Good luck

 

some emission tests can be passed if the readiness monitors are all passed and there is no cel.. is that the case with your tests or do you have to pass a gas analysis test? if you have to pass a five gas test then youll have to fix the cats.. if it can be passed with no cel on and all readiness monitors passed then you may try some extenders on your o2 sensors.. they help to fool the computer into thinking the cats are working properly.. if thats the case theyre like 25 bucks a piece or cheaper and do not take long to install, if you know what you are doing...; )

 

fyi if your under 8 years or 80,000 miles

audi replaces them free, its called a federal warranty. look into it

E: just read it, damn man, goodluck on this one