On 10-16 my daughter was having car trouble and stopped at Complete Tire and Auto Repair in Catoosa, OK. (918) 266-6088) After their diagnosis they determined the exhaust was not flowing. To make a repair they cut a 1" square hole in the catalytic converter and removed the inner material.
They then did a sloppy job of welding up the hole they created, leaving an exhaust leak. There was nothing wrong with the converter and the car was experiencing the same problems a few miles down the road.
After getting the vehicle back to my place of employment (I manage the technical training center for DaimlerChrysler in Lenexa, KS) I found the true cause of the problem which was a worn out fuel pump. At the time of the repair they told my daughter what they were doing was illegal but they were trying to get her on the road.
A simple check of manifold vacuum would have told them the exhaust was not restricted. A check of Fuel volume and current draw would have led them to the correct part.
The bottom line this repair shop intentionally destroyed a perfectly good catalytic converter knowing full well they were violating emission laws. I contacted EPA but received a less than satisfactory response. While they agreed to turn it over to their enforcement group I was told it was doubtful anything would come of the complaint due to their limited resources.
As an automotive instructor with over 30 years experience I have always promoted the value of clean air and the proper aintenance of emission devised in order to assure this. I find it appalling that this repair shop intentionally violated one of the most basic emission laws and may get away with it.
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