Bus Depot CAT--Any Feedback

MootPoint · Posted: Mon Jul 20, 2015 5:33 pm Post subject:

I can't provide an answer for you on the issue, but I don't see the cat doing that to your power unless something is seriously wrong. If you look through the cat before installation, you can see through it but just barely. Its innards are definitely in the path of the exhaust, but they are designed to be that way. On the other hand, my old cat was like looking through a toilet paper tube, totally empty. No wonder it failed smog.

I'm almost embarrassed to ask but I assume you installed it with the flow in the right direction. OK, I'm sorry. I know you're smarter than that.

I did replace the O2 sensor at the same time I replaced the cat (just another $19 from BD). I don't know if I had to, but since I really needed to pass the smog test to renew my plates I figured doing that might save me from yet another failure. Cheap insurance.

And BTW, yes the "fat gasket" and the "doughnut" are for other installations with this otherwise "universal" cat. Pitch 'em.

Open to thoughts from others...
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1984 Westy with tencentlife power!

igarrett · Samba Member Joined: May 30, 2015 Posts: 15 Location: CA

I don't know if this is something else, but the timing would be amazing but this am I installed a new cat and exhaust only to have my engine lag now when accelerating. Its like its got half the power then after being in gear for a few it starts driving normal.

Any thoughts?

MootPoint · Posted: Mon Jun 29, 2015 6:49 am Post subject:

That makes a lot of sense and the photo helps. The mating surfaces on both intake and outlet pipes (where they attach to the cat) are dead flat so it would appear that the thin gaskets are the ones, even if they are "not an ideal mating surface." The thick gasket that came with the cat would probably also work but that's not what was on it when I took the old cat off, just two old thin ones.

Your GW photo pretty much explains the big donut (and with the 02 sensor attached to the cat itself, that must be on a Digifant. My 02 is upstream on the pipe).

I was planning on calling BD today anyway. I'll post their reply here for any future Vanagonauts searching for a similar answer.

I appreciate your input and I think your analysis is spot on.

Thanks!
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1984 Westy with tencentlife power!

kamzcab86 · Posted: Sun Jun 28, 2015 9:05 pm Post subject:

MootPoint · Posted: Sun Jun 28, 2015 8:29 pm Post subject:

Especially after his beautiful Westy was flattened by a tree. I can only grumble so much. BD had been a great service (and alternative) to some other vendors. Nudge. Nudge. Wink. Wink.

Not YOU, of course...
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1984 Westy with tencentlife power!

Terry Kay · Banned Joined: June 22, 2003 Posts: 13331

"Some slightly more detailed instructions from BD would be appreciated. "

That's extra--$$$
Ronnie has to cut corners somewhere--
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T.K.

MootPoint · Posted: Sun Jun 28, 2015 8:07 pm Post subject:

Yep - I ordered the two gaskets (extra) from BD that they say are required but not included. The gasket that came with the cat is about 3/16-inch thick. The two other from BD are about 1/64 or less. Thin! The extra casket in the kit looks as if it could seal the effluence from Congress.

But the two new gaskets do have a "flange" on one side, a tiny bulge around the exhaust pathway that is slightly thick on one side, but not the other. So I'm assuming (there I go again) that the flange faces the cat and not the pipe. Or not...

Some slightly more detailed instructions from BD would be appreciated. That's one thing I like about GW: their instructions. Perhaps that's worth the extra $$$.
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1984 Westy with tencentlife power!

kamzcab86 · Posted: Sun Jun 28, 2015 4:37 pm Post subject:

MootPoint · Posted: Sun Jun 28, 2015 4:24 pm Post subject:

Thanks, Kam - Any thoughts on the 'extra' gaskets that came with the cat? I assume (but you know what happens when I ass-u-me) they are for some other application, no?
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1984 Westy with tencentlife power!

kamzcab86 · Posted: Sun Jun 28, 2015 3:47 pm Post subject:

MootPoint · Posted: Sun Jun 28, 2015 1:00 pm Post subject:

New ping to an old thread:

I just ordered/received a new cat from BusDepot. It's a Walker 15612 model. I also received the two extra exhaust gaskets that are apparently required for installation and a new 02 sensor.

The cat also came with one extra thick gasket in the box and one ceramic-looking ring that doesn't appear to fit anything on either end of the cat. I assume these are for other applications and are discarded?

The new "additional" gaskets are not totally flat; they have a very small flange on one side. Does this face into the cat or not or does it matter?

And…

The cat has a bung hold that fits the 02 sensor but I assume that stays upstream in its current location on the pipe. Do I plug this with the plug from the old cat or am I missing a part.

thanks.
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1984 Westy with tencentlife power!

kourt · Posted: Thu Nov 14, 2013 10:02 am Post subject:

I just put in one of these Bus Depot cats, following a failed emissions test in Austin, Texas. Granted, I also did everything else (cap, rotor, wires, plugs, oil/filter fuel filter, air filter, ignition timing) but the van passed with flying colors. I mean really flying colors--I've never seen an emissions report as clean as this one.

The cat is a fine fit, and does the job. By this time next year, a Bostig Zetec will be in there, so I don't really care how long it holds out.

kourt

Love My Westy · Samba Member Joined: August 08, 2007 Posts: 1838

I contacted Bus Depot and was able to change my order to an Emico brand CAT before they shipped it. It arrived yesterday and I will install it today. It is the same brand as the one I am replacing.

shadetreetim · Posted: Sat Nov 09, 2013 9:34 am Post subject:

LandSailor · Posted: Sat Nov 09, 2013 9:16 am Post subject:

AtlasShrugged · Posted: Fri Nov 08, 2013 10:03 pm Post subject:

bluebus86 · Banned Joined: September 02, 2010 Posts: 11075

I have heard some folks hollow out their dead cat for test purposes, and run a new cat only for smog tests. they say that keeps the good cat healthy for decades.

They have been called "shelf cats" cause they sit on the shelf most of the time.

Not that I would advocate such a thing, just saying..............

AtlasShrugged · Posted: Fri Nov 08, 2013 9:27 pm Post subject:

I used a BD OEM catalytic converter..made by Bosal about four years ago. Not the best fit on the Vanagon but made it work. It worked fine on the first emissions check....and failed NOX the year after.

It was still inside the 25k mile warranty. I called BD and was referred over to Bosal. Bosal warrantied the Cat and BD sent me a new Cat and I sent the old Cat to BD for a warranty swap..no problem. I paid for shipping.

The first emissions numbers on the warranty Bosal Cat in 10/2011 were super...the following year 2012..the NOX numbers were OK..this year 2013 the Bosal Cat failed NOX again.

Even though the warranty Bosal Cat is still inside the 25k mile warranty..I chose not to chase down another two year Bosal Cat.

After 2016 the 1991 Vanagon is exempt from emissions testing in Georgia. I need three more years on the replacement Cat for sure.

Ordered a Walker replacement Cat part number 15612 from RockAuto..$122.57 with all gaskets included and shipping. Walker has/had a $40 rebate on the Cat too. If I ever get the $40 the Cat the net cost is $82 and an hour to install the Cat.

Installed the new Walker Cat and passed emissions with flying colors.

The next few years will tell if the Walker Cat is more durable than the Bosal.

The Walker Cat was easier to fit and the stainless shell was completely round larger/thicker without the heat shields ..the stone inside looked to be about the same size as the Bosal..time will tell if it lasts better than the Bosal.

Love My Westy · Samba Member Joined: August 08, 2007 Posts: 1838

They advertise it as OEM, and Bosal is the brand my mechanic said he uses, so I hope it will fit ok.

Inlet · Posted: Fri Nov 08, 2013 5:07 pm Post subject:

I got one about a year ago from bus depot through a friend. I couldn't get it to seat correctly and had exhaust leaks because of the universal flanges... I ended up welding the flanges to the "pipe" and grinding down those flared out parts that keep the flanges from falling off to get the gaskets to seat correctly. The most important thing is it passed smog, for the price it was worth it and a big middle finger to CARB.


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