1. Attachments are working again! Check out this thread for more details and to report any other bugs.

Cat Converter Dilemma!

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by PriuSocal, Mar 23, 2023.

  1. PriuSocal

    PriuSocal Junior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 23, 2023
    74
    20
    0
    Location:
    SoCal
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    So I basically want to vent on here and perhaps aid in avoiding same situations like mine from happening to others here.

    Bought a 2008 Prius from an out of state seller (Missouri) here in California. Inspected the car thoroughly and all checked out good except for a failing ABS pump that was mentioned beforehand and taking into consideration in the final price. Long story short, I replaced the ABS pump and deleted the related codes (never had a CEL) and car is running and stopping beautifully. Hooked up my OBD2 scanner and I/M monitors are ready for smog...sooooo, i take it to the smog shop and after about 15 minutes the guy comes back and says it passed emissions but FAILED the visual inspection of the CAT because it was not original even though it appears bolted up oem like and old like the rest of the undercoat of the car. Failed my car nonetheless and put "Tampered" in the Catalyst part and all else says PASS.

    I came home and looked through the stack of service records and found one that shows in 2020 it had a new DIrect Bolt On WALKER (brand) Catalytic Converter installed by a large automotive repair chain in Missouri but doesn't say CARB on the receipt nor could I get info by calling them. I'm so bummed out because I am basically in the same predicament as someone who would have gone through a Cat theft without having done so and now I have a perfectly working, great looking looking car with a part that VISUALLY doesn't have a stamp on it to make it CARB legal according to the shop. I bought it to for work commute and now am out of a car or expected to for out $1500+ for a CARB legal cat.

    Any ideas ??
     
    #1 PriuSocal, Mar 23, 2023
    Last edited: Mar 23, 2023
  2. ChapmanF

    ChapmanF Senior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 30, 2008
    23,073
    14,982
    0
    Location:
    Indiana, USA
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    IV
    That sounds like about the size of it. What the Missouri seller did was legal to drive in Missouri, so there's probably not much grounds for complaint there.
     
  3. Tombukt2

    Tombukt2 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Nov 29, 2020
    7,797
    1,349
    0
    Location:
    Durham NC
    Vehicle:
    2009 Prius
    Model:
    Base
    Should have just got you a mailbox at mailboxes etc use your box number as the suite and use that address to register the car in whatever state you just set up there Missouri Michigan whatever and keep getting it your insurance that you have now would even ensure the car and everything they wouldn't care they just want your money $30 a month whatever it is I've done this before too Is it legal It's a gray thing if you will what will they do to you not too much can they prove that you don't have business in Missouri Don't know and make it so they can't possibly open a shell company there whatever It's all kinds of things you can do in America I'm just trying to think of things you can do out on your side of the world there are states I thought one to over from California that were much more lenient as long as you go back every 60 to 90 days or they think you have I don't think there's a lot they can do. California can harass you for anything they want so if they see you enough.
     
    PriuSocal likes this.
  4. PriuSocal

    PriuSocal Junior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 23, 2023
    74
    20
    0
    Location:
    SoCal
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    My complaint was never against the seller nor the shop as its their job to "visually" inspect i guess but it just suxx that all they look for is an etching and disregard a PZEV that is super healthy and not t threat to the environment...cmon its a prius lol
     
    Prius Rising likes this.
  5. PriuSocal

    PriuSocal Junior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 23, 2023
    74
    20
    0
    Location:
    SoCal
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    Update: Was advised that I could contest the outcome of the smog check and have a referee from the state of ca hear my case on this and possibly exempt my cat and approve the use of it even if not CARB compliant. That's what the State of CA Referee appointment person told me. She said if I can prove the car does not gross pollute or emissions are within acceptable range with the current cat, they may give me a break which would be the best case scenario. Worst case would be they dont care to hear the car passes emission and disregard spirit of the law and instead apply the letter of the law. Will see what happens when I meet with them.
     
    bisco likes this.
  6. Tombukt2

    Tombukt2 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Nov 29, 2020
    7,797
    1,349
    0
    Location:
    Durham NC
    Vehicle:
    2009 Prius
    Model:
    Base
    This was exactly my type of quote to Massachusetts when I live there I had an exhaust gas analyzer My Corolla was putting out below what the state mandated but because my EGR or air pump or something wasn't hooked up they said fail and I said well yeah okay whatever blah blah blah but what's coming out the tailpipe is better than what you require by your own state mandates in print right here next to the machine I don't care if we throw the engine in the trash as long as what's coming out of the tailpipe is what's those numbers printed in your mandates or mission statement what is your problem? And then the barrage of diarrhea starts and that's when I tell them they can keep their big words like mayonnaise and I just drive with no inspection expired tag whatever it is That's just $30 whatever thank you bye.
     
  7. Tombukt2

    Tombukt2 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Nov 29, 2020
    7,797
    1,349
    0
    Location:
    Durham NC
    Vehicle:
    2009 Prius
    Model:
    Base
    I drive one of my four five Priuses everyday illegally and probably been doing so for 34 years now maybe 37 whatever it is one doesn't have a legal registration One hasn't passed emissions One hasn't got this sticker whatever I don't even keep track anymore just gave up nobody else seems to give a crap either the local law enforcement or whatever drive hundred miles a day or better oh well just one of those things I guess.
     
  8. MCCOHENS

    MCCOHENS Member

    Joined:
    Oct 3, 2019
    189
    80
    0
    Location:
    Chalfont, PA
    Vehicle:
    2006 Prius
    Model:
    II
    Did the car have a CA title or Miss? CA has a unique cat, so either the seller knew this and sold it in CA anyway or you just had a very expensive education about CA regulations. Hope the ref decision goes in your favor, but if not you either get the right cat and spend a bunch or sell it out of state.
     
    PriuSocal likes this.
  9. Tombukt2

    Tombukt2 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Nov 29, 2020
    7,797
    1,349
    0
    Location:
    Durham NC
    Vehicle:
    2009 Prius
    Model:
    Base
    When you bring a car in to CA do you have to register it first or do you bring it to the inspection station and the refs to have it checked over first so they can fail it before you spent all the money on tax tags and title? Just curious I don't really know exactly how it works there I know it's highly controlled they even stop people that are there from out of town to see if they've gone home etc or try and force them to get their car registered there which I imagine is extremely expensive
     
  10. Tombukt2

    Tombukt2 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Nov 29, 2020
    7,797
    1,349
    0
    Location:
    Durham NC
    Vehicle:
    2009 Prius
    Model:
    Base
    I guess wen I go visit my brother in 1000 oaks I'll ride my big bore full dresser scooter.
     
  11. rogerthat

    rogerthat Active Member

    Joined:
    Sep 19, 2015
    344
    115
    0
    Location:
    Georgia
    Vehicle:
    2009 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    Hmmm, that would be huge news if they allow you to keep that non CARB compliant cat and use the car. That might encourage more Californians to buy an out of state Prius.

    "She said if I can prove the car does not gross pollute or emissions are within acceptable range with the current cat" - surely by prove, she means simply to show the results of your smog test!
     
    edthefox5 likes this.
  12. pasadena_commut

    pasadena_commut Senior Member

    Joined:
    May 2, 2019
    1,331
    405
    0
    Location:
    Southern California
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    Not necessary. Cars from other states can visit CA without a problem (assuming they aren't smoking so much that a cop pulls it over.) The OP's problem only comes up when it is time to register the vehicle. Which isn't cheap in any case, because CA will also charge state sales tax on a vehicle bought out of state and immediately imported, which is going to run 10%-ish of the sales price.
     
  13. pasadena_commut

    pasadena_commut Senior Member

    Joined:
    May 2, 2019
    1,331
    405
    0
    Location:
    Southern California
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    Good luck with that referee path, given the depth of CA bureaucracy, it is far from a sure thing. I believe CARB recently certified some other make(s?) of cat for use in CA, and it is cheaper than the OEM cat. Not cheap, just cheaper. This might be it:

    https://www.magnaflow.com/collections/toyota-prius-carb-catalytic-converters

    I don't think there is a huge demand for out of state Prius's in CA, more the other way around. The cars here are rust free, and good luck finding a gen 2 like that in, let's say, New Jersey.
     
  14. PriuSocal

    PriuSocal Junior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 23, 2023
    74
    20
    0
    Location:
    SoCal
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    Missouri plates and as mentioned in my ad, he had the original replaced in Missouri in 2020 but im 100% sure he didnt know the difference. Either way, yeah waiting on that ref to hopefully side with me and approve the current one.
     
  15. PriuSocal

    PriuSocal Junior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 23, 2023
    74
    20
    0
    Location:
    SoCal
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    There is no ref to see when bringing in a car from out of state, your DMV or AAA can assist and all they do is a VIN verification and you pay the associated fees and you are on your way. If its salvage title coming into CA, then they require a brake and light inspection done by CHP (Highway Patrol)
     
  16. PriuSocal

    PriuSocal Junior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 23, 2023
    74
    20
    0
    Location:
    SoCal
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    In response to your 1st part, I don't think it would encourage others to buy out of state cars as if it doesn' have the CARB approved cat and only has the Federal, it will always fail the visual. However, if there is proof that emissions are good on paper like the smog test only failing due to visual, then you may have case and you land where I am currently, at a shot of having the State Ref exempt my cat.
     
  17. PriuSocal

    PriuSocal Junior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 23, 2023
    74
    20
    0
    Location:
    SoCal
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    Although I am highly aware of what you say and the bureaucracy, I am still hopeful that they will side with me and or that the cat os on their recently release list of approved cats. It is definitely all politics and 0% to do with the environment that's for sure. CA is a nightware with these things.

    And do you SEE the price of those aftermarket CAT's?!?!?!?! It's ridiculous and worth more than the cars themselves. They want to phase out all gas cars to make way for all EV so they make it so dang on difficult.
     
    bisco likes this.
  18. PriuSocal

    PriuSocal Junior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 23, 2023
    74
    20
    0
    Location:
    SoCal
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    I gotta say though for my 08 being a Missouri car, paint and all else is in very good shape and only has very minimal surface rust in random places. Cleaner than most around I see in CA lol which is why I honestly hate to see something like a missing "etch or engraving" preventing from being a road-worthy car in CA's standards.
     
  19. rogerthat

    rogerthat Active Member

    Joined:
    Sep 19, 2015
    344
    115
    0
    Location:
    Georgia
    Vehicle:
    2009 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    If it's just a matter of the referee checking a smog test, I can't see why others wouldn't take advantage of this. However, if I was to guess the outcome, CA will contend that the onus is on the buyer to make sure the car has a CARB compliant cat. Hopefully, that's not the case. I know that one of the first things I would check if I was buying a used Prius is if the cat is original (regardless of state, $$).
     
  20. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    107,571
    48,862
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    not only are the approvedaftermarket cats expensive, i read they are back ordered along with oem's?
     
    edthefox5 likes this.