Where can I buy Catalytic converters for B6 3.0

[220013047]

Hi,

I got a CEL code P0431 and was told by my mechanic that I would need to buy new cats. How many cats are on a B6 3.0 and where can I buy them for a normal price?

Thank you for your help.

[tj19855]

Im on the same boat with you, I have looked everywhere and have found none only at dealer for $850 each.

[Papachristou]

common 3.0 problem... are u over 80,000 miles?

[220013047]

Yes, I am at 114K. The car runs great though. I had all major work done for the miles.

Here is what the dealer told me today. Code P0431 is definitly a catalytic related code. Here is the worst part.......they quoted me $2,200 for one cat and two O2 sensors plus labor. Ha ha, these people don't have these dollars for anything!

Go to genuinevwaudiparts and get yours for little less than the dealer ($100-150). With all the bolts and nuts and seals, one cat is around $750 plus $100 core charge. Keep in mind that it is a refurbished one, but new.

So, my Audi 3.0 friends and others. If you get a P0431 bank 1,2 code, prepare yourself to spend big bucks.

It sucks, but I hate the check engine light.

Ps. Thank you Old Guy for your help and fast reply! You are the best

[Maverick]

don't buy Cats for the car. wait for the cat-less downpipes. it's better

[Das General]

You can buy a generic cat for about $80 and have an exhaust shop weld it in for you for another $50 or so.

[skeeball]

don't buy Cats for the car. wait for the cat-less downpipes. it's better

Didn't Steve post up that these were done? I'm still waiting for mine.

[220013047]

What is a cat less downpipe and where can I buy it? Is there a cheaper place to buy an OEM?

Thanks

[aaaudiprotein]

Thats funny but OEM cats cost more than aftermarket HFC.

[monkey323i]

i got both failed catss. P0431 , P0421.
Dealer just ordered those parts from germerny today. delivery time 4-6 weeks.
Lucky my car is 73k which is under 80k ferderal emission control warranty.

From the statsistics, there are increasingly large amount of 2002 B6 3.0 cars's cats start to fail as their milage approach 90k and a lot of them already failed at early 70k.

This is abonormal for cats cuz they are designed to last 150k+.
However, not for those cats on B6 AVK-3.0 A4. (1.8T safe)

Good luck and if you are one of those 02 AVK-3.0 ppl. Scan the code frequently and act fast for intermeeit P0431/P0421 immediately before the warranty expires.

The efficiency below threshold code may occur already, but not serious enough to trigger CEL for early few monthes. but this is a sign that sooner or later your cats will go out.


good luck everyone~


check here:
http://autos.msn.com/research/vip/Re...l=A4&trimid=-1

[MingDriver]

*Thread resurrection*
Anyone happen to have an update on where to source a replacement cat for an AVK 3.0 at a reasonable price?

[msharifi]

Hi,

I got a CEL code P0431 and was told by my mechanic that I would need to buy new cats. How many cats are on a B6 3.0 and where can I buy them for a normal price?

Thank you for your help.

Have you checked ebay? I seen some go from $100 OEM.

[nein-reis]

Yep. I'm in the same boat on my 3.0 failed CAT. Having a hell of a time getting the dealer to replace it also, they have all sorts of regulations and they will not replace it on the first code. It has to be cleared and come back three times, by the dealer and no one else. And if they "forget" to write it down then it doesn't count.

[MingDriver]

Have you checked ebay? I seen some go from $100 OEM.

Thanks for the lead. Right now I only see cats for an auto (I've got the 6 speed) but I'll keep an eye out.

[AudiA4_20T]

why dont you guys get some antifoulers and be A-ok?

[NJ3Q]

Hi,

I'm just wondering how you guys with the 3.0Qs got on with your Cat issues. The problem lies with the pre-cats, which die long before the main cats but since the car will have 2 units, each with a precat and main cat all as one piece then you end up swapping for new parts just because of the pre-cats. Of course this is probably stating the obvious now. I'm planning to cut out the precats and have generic sports cats or decat pipes welded in. This will mean putting the forward lambda/O2 sensors straight into the pipes or getting some kind of MIL eliminator gadgets.
Any thoughts?
cheers
Nj

[meistah]

Sorry to necro-bump, but this thread contains the question I have, no point in reposting.

For a cat failing issue on the 3.0L engine, could you just remove the precat as opposed to getting all new cats? And on that note would it improve performance without the negative side effects of removing the whole cat (smell and noise). From what I've read the catalytic converter system is similar to that of the 4.2 engine, and they just take out the precat for the jhm tune with no problems.

And in doing that would I need antifoulers and/or software to get rid of the CEL?

[BCsniper]

On the 4.2 with the cats gone (gutted) you will get a CEL. JHM sells the O2 sensor spacers to trick the 02 sensor so that no CEL will come up.

Not sure if the parts are the same for the 3.0, might want to check with JHM on that one (I'd be interested too since my 3.0 has close to 125k miles and I'll probably have cat problems here in the future)

[meistah]

Yea ill fire them an email. Just thought someone on the boards might know... Actually I'll post this up on the s4 forums in the meantime.

[jdigga99]

Sigh...another issue to look forward too...

[NJ3Q]

Would that error come from the front or rear sensors?
I ask because I gutted my precats and welded two s8 cats on in place of the main cats near the end of last year. I'm now getting an open circuit error from one of the rear sensors but imagine it will be down to a bad conector or the sensor being old (I just put new front sensors in at the time).
The guy who did the work for me didn't mention spacers and I haven't had any problems until now. So I guess my point is.. are the spacers really needed on the 3.0? Has anyone tried without?

[zz2h33]

You can buy a generic cat for about $80 and have an exhaust shop weld it in for you for another $50 or so.

This is an option but the downpipe/cats will need to be removed from the car to do this, and if you have ever been under the 3.0 car and looked at the cats, the great design has the cat tucked up on the angled part of the downpipe, so its not located on the underside of the car on the horizontal pipe like traditional cars. so cutting the front part of the cat off is impossible since its not accessible while on the car, let alone welding in a new one. So why not just unbolt the downpipes? ha, cant get to the bolts unless the subframe is dropped with the engine or engine is lifted partially out. its basically a nightmare. <- this problem is the major hurdle with the 3.0 cars, its not really the cost of a cat, its the labor involved to replace one... let alone TWO. even if you go with catless down pipes you cant get away from this.

[BLkdOutTa4]

P0421 just happened to POP up for me today...is it going to do anything to the performance and regular operation of the car if I don't replace the cat right away?

[Dillon]

Im just going to go oem. My Audi dealership has them for 550 each.

[takenotes]

shokan.com

[NJ3Q]

P0421 just happened to POP up for me today...is it going to do anything to the performance and regular operation of the car if I don't replace the cat right away?

I cleared my codes and ran for weeks and sometimes months without them coming on again. I found low grade fuel set them off a bit but the codes will appear when the values the lambdas are reading are outside their ideal values. so you should be fine for a while but sooner is better to replce them before the precats start to disintegrate.

550 is a hell of a good price by the way. is that US dolars? The dealer in Scotland wanted £2000 for the pair (probably about €3000) when I had my issues.

[T0M3K]

If my cat starts dying again, I think I will just go with a testpipe (if one exists). Get myself an extra half horsepower

[wheelmanbg]

I found some on ebay for around $250 each but I've just been reseting the code for now. I need to replace both of mine.

[220013047]

Ok, I know this post is old, but the OEM replacement catalytic converter that I bought from genuinevwaudiparts is gone after almost 5 years on my 2002 b6 3.0. I have read that the EPA warranty is 8 year or 80K on new cars, but can someone tell me what the warranty for a replacement catalytic converter is. The EPA document does not address replacements and the warranty.

Can someone shed some light if I still have warranty? When I replaced the cat, the car had 114K and now it has 156K. I purchased the cat on 7/9/08 and it was installed a week later.

Thank you!

[NJ3Q]

Ok, I know this post is old, but the OEM replacement catalytic converter that I bought from genuinevwaudiparts is gone after almost 5 years on my 2002 b6 3.0. I have read that the EPA warranty is 8 year or 80K on new cars, but can someone tell me what the warranty for a replacement catalytic converter is. The EPA document does not address replacements and the warranty.

Can someone shed some light if I still have warranty? When I replaced the cat, the car had 114K and now it has 156K. I purchased the cat on 7/9/08 and it was installed a week later.

Thank you!

I'm stunned the new one would die after such low miles but I seriously doubt that you'll have any joy with warranty on a cat after 5 years of use (despite the low mileage). I guess only the seller of the part can answer that for sure though. Have you had any issues with the other one or has it been fine from new? Just a thought but perhaps some external factor has caused the "new" cat to die? A bit of unburnt fuel getting through or something?

[03a4b6ztk]

I have the pleasure of a 421 & 431 part few days coming back after 60 miles.I got a quote for 400 for the labor if I supply parts.

[Ac101]

I have them ! Cats, downpipes, flex . All for 400 80k miles on it no damage

[03a4b6ztk]

I have them ! Cats, downpipes, flex . All for 400 80k miles on it no damage

You willing to ship?

[road_tripper]

I've posted a bunch times where I bought a cat for $311 shipped to my door. way more expensive than weld-in for the 1.8t crowd, but we 3.0 owners drive a luxury car.

you can find similar deals on partsgeek, partstrain, etc.

but you have to be non-cali 6-speed.

[i.am.gustav]

This thread is super old but I got a direct fit HFC from Magnaflow for my car and it works perfectly fine plus they have a 50,000 milage warranty on the HFC.

[sandspeed]

There's also a seller on eBay that offers test pipes or HFCs, for fairly cheap.