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> You are aware a catalytic converter is a wear part that is a component of the exhaust system, right?

Not op but I didn't realize it was a wear part, and I would imagine that most people don't either given how long they last on modern vehicles.

Your explanation is helpful, but the tone of this comment is needlessly aggressive. The goal here should be to help each other learn, not shoot each other down.

Civil discourse is getting harder and harder to find online. HN generally isn't too bad, but the weekends seem to be the worst. I think the comments and moderation gets dominated by people with nothing better to do on a weekend.

I think it would be nice if HN periodically made you read a short click-through agreement to remind people of the tone we expect here.

Being connected to the engine block doesn't mean it takes 8 hours of labor to replace. Look at a water pump or alternator or anything else

On modern hybrids the catalytic converter lasts 200k+ miles.

I wouldn’t describe getting after my alternator as “disassemble the entire engine from above,” so perhaps we can clarify exactly what’s proposed here instead of explain basic mechanics to each other. And yeah, sure, but you’ve forgotten the compendium of ways a cat can fail on the way to 200k. It’s a top ten concern in my shop, so.

>You are aware a catalytic converter is a wear part that is a component of the exhaust system, right? You want a block disassembly to replace a part so understood to be a wear part it’s covered by US federal warranty to 80,000 miles? You just added at least eight hours of labor — which in major metros can reach $300/hr — and risk to a one hour job. There are absolutely zero reasons to open a block unless the engine itself is imperiled or under inspection. Blocks are notoriously difficult to reassemble to spec and the idea is to avoid opening them as long as possible.

I agree with you that it makes perfect sense to not put it directly on the engine block for the reasons you list, but if you've worked on cars in the last few decades you'd also agree planning for servicing is of approximately zero consideration in their design!

Most cars have a powertrain warranty that exceeds the bumper to bumper warranty, and the cat is considered to be part of the powertrain. Typically this is 10 years for unlimited mileage. If your car had its converter stolen and it’s less than 10 years old, it’s worth talking to the dealership. If the dealer won’t honor it, raise it to the automaker’s head office.

That’s part of the reason why this crime is popular. Between warranty and insurance claims, it’s largely victimless.

If your car had its converter stolen and it’s less than 10 years old, it’s worth talking to the dealership.

Your dealership is going to laugh their asses off every time they tell the story about the time glitchc came in and wanted their stolen catalytic converter covered under warranty. Hell, that’s the kind of story employees bring home to their spouse and kids for supper time merriment. Of course, no one believes the story, because who would do that?

And as pointed out by others, “emissions system” is the phrase you’re looking for, not “power train”. The reason this is important is because of Federal U. S. law that says emissions systems are required to be covered for X years or Y miles, whichever comes first. Feds don’t give a shit how long your tranny lasts before it blows up.

> Most cars have a powertrain warranty that exceeds the bumper to bumper warranty,

First, the catalytic convertor is not a part of the powertrain. Second, these warranties do not cover theft. No manufacturer warantee covers theft, it covers component failure.

No, it isn’t. The catalytic converter is part of the emissions system, which is not covered by powertrain warranty, full stop. The US federal emissions warranty exists precisely because manufacturers refused to cover it under their powertrain warranties. Any who do are an exception.

Here’s how you know the distinction: if the catalytic converter fails outright, your engine can’t breathe and loses performance. Your engine doesn’t stop (in most circumstances). Boom, not powertrain, and not covered under powertrain warranty.

If this is different elsewhere, it’s different elsewhere, but what you just said is plainly false in the United States. You really should understand that before escalating to an automaker because in this case, you would not have been grounded in facts and I can’t see that call going well at all.