Catalytic Convertors - a legal requirement in Ireland?

Matt Simis

Without getting into the morals of it or a maybe-maybe not environmental debate, are Cats physically being installed a legal requirement in Ireland, assuming you pass emissions at NCT time? Im not really talking about popping them on and off for the sake of passing a test on a given day.

In the US there are people on E85 (or with just E10 and very clean engines) that technically pass emissions tests but face massive penalties for the act of removing the Cat if caught whether needed or not. Generally, especially on older cars, Cats not only reduce power substantially, but also MPG, which is counter-productive to their aim of promoting a cleaner environment and in these times, bad for the wallet.

mike65

Since jan 1st 1993 on new petrol cars.

Anan1

AFAIK the cat itself isn't a legal requirement, if an engine could be made to pass emissions without one then it'd be fine. The same principle would apply to fuel injection, i'd imagine.

Yakult

^^Thought it was 92?

mike65

Maybe you are right.

Matt Simis

Lol, the above is exactly my confusion! Given the readiness of Exhaust places to discuss de-cat'ing I was leaving towards no specific law regarding Cats.

Anan1

Matt Simis wrote: »

Lol, the above is exactly my confusion! Given the readiness of Exhaust places to discuss de-cat'ing I was leaving towards no specific law regarding Cats.

I think they introduced emissions standards that could only be met through the use of a catalytic converter, rather than actually making them mandatory. Don't ask me for a source though, I just have the vague feeling of having picked it up somewhere.

Johnboy Mac

Matt Simis wrote: »

Lol, the above is exactly my confusion! Given the readiness of Exhaust places to discuss de-cat'ing I was leaving towards no specific law regarding Cats.

To the best of my knowledge the NCT test only checks emissions and obviously the overall condition of the exhaust. They (the NCT) are no going to advise you on the reason a car failed the emissions test just that it did, as it could a fault with EFI, Cat, the engine itself etc.

Well that's my take on it.

Matt Simis

Johnboy Mac wrote: »

To the best of my knowledge the NCT test only checks emissions and obviously the overall condition of the exhaust. They (the NCT) are no going to advise you on the reason a car failed the emissions test just that it did, as it could a fault with EFI, Cat, the engine itself etc.

Well that's my take on it.

I once heard of a tuned up Jap street racer (dont mean that badly, just it fit the stereotype) which was submitted to NCT without the Cat. IRC, it failed and the owner was told "How dare you bring a car here without a Cat, get it fitted immediately". This was about 7years ago.

Some cars of course have "in pipe" Cats, so one could argue that the Cat is there, just not visible. The Americans also make up fake shells of Cats to weld to straight pipes ("Test Pipes" as they call them).

landydef

am i correct in saying that the nct tests for emmisions and the doe has a smoke test? i took the cat and centre box out of my diesel jeep a few months ago and noticed a decent extra bit of power
havent gone for a doe since though!

Matt Simis

Would definately recommend mixing in BioDiesel (as much as ok with your engine management) and a maybe bit of Dipetane for the few tanks before and on the day of any smoke test. Biodiesel makes a huge difference and Dipetane definately noticable too.

Presumably its visually smokey now?

landydef

yeah a bit smokey when pulling off from the lights but nothing too crazy! ill try the dipetene,i know earlier models of my jeep dont have cats (pre 2002)so i cant see why it would be illegal