Catalytic Converter issues and fraud | FerrariChat

Catalytic Converter issues and fraud

Discussion in 'Ferrari Discussion (not model specific)' started by hydekirk, Aug 25, 2008.

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  1. hydekirk

    hydekirk Rookie

    Jul 6, 2006
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    Los Angeles
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    Kirk Hyde
    #1 hydekirk, Aug 25, 2008
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    I bought a 1985 F355 about three years ago from a sports car dealer in Orange County, California. I was told that the car was in excellent shape and that the car had the timing belts changed and all smog certifications were done. Even the bill-of-sale showed that the car was smog certified. The following year I added a Tubi exhaust system and had the car smogged for the second time as required by the State of California. This work was done by a large independent Ferrari specialist in Los Angeles County. This year I had to have the car smogged again. I took the car to a "test only" station. The car failed twice. it was not even close. During this process, I ended up taking the car to a different and highly recommended repair shop in Glendora, CA. What he found out was that the "cats" were hollow. I bought a car with virtually no "cats" and had two separate firms give me fraudulent certifications. I have found out that I am not alone and that many buyers of used Ferraris are getting screwed by dealers, repair shops and individuals. I have attached a photo of the hollow catalytic converter. All I can say is buyer beware. I plan to report this incident to the State of California. It is important to have your car in compliance. A fraudulent certification does not help you in the long run.
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  2. 355 Pablo

    355 Pablo Karting

    May 24, 2006
    173
    Glendora, CA
    At least it sounds good!!!
     
  3. WJHMH

    WJHMH Two Time F1 World Champ
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    Is the dealer you bought your 355 from still in business?
     
  4. RossoCorsaItaly

    RossoCorsaItaly F1 Rookie
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    If I lived in California I'd go out of my way to run test pipes.
     
  5. Rifledriver

    Rifledriver Three Time F1 World Champ

    Apr 29, 2004
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    Not unusual.

    One of the things we look for in a PPI.

    Have had them knowingly come from local dealers of the best reputation that way
     
  6. hydekirk

    hydekirk Rookie

    Jul 6, 2006
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    Los Angeles
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    Kirk Hyde
    The used car dealer that specializes in Ferrari and other exotic cars is still in business. I plan to contact them soon.
     
  7. wetpet

    wetpet F1 World Champ
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    May 3, 2006
    10,210
    funny, some people pay extra for what you are complaining about.
     
  8. hydekirk

    hydekirk Rookie

    Jul 6, 2006
    45
    Los Angeles
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    Kirk Hyde
    I certainly understand that some car owners want improved performance and will do what they can to get around having the car smog certified. I was not asked nor did I request to have my F355 illegally certified. Big difference.
    When they smog a car, they now weigh the car to help ensure that it is the same vehicle.
     
  9. willrace

    willrace Three Time F1 World Champ
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    Oct 21, 2006
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    Kurt
    Welllllllllllllllllll, THAT's nice and relevant to being the same car - MUCH more specific than, say, a long sequence of numbers located in several places on the chassis.

    "How much do you want it to weigh?"
    "The same as that last car you brought in"
    "Well, I need to know if I should be full or empty, track wheels or stock, put the spare back in, unload the fire system, switch out the lightweight Optima,..............."

    Yeah, all I can say about that idea is "BRILLIANT!!"
     
  10. jsanocki

    jsanocki Formula Junior

    Aug 30, 2006
    785
    NJ
    Weigh the same? What kind of verification is that??? Are you saying that if I go with a full tank of gas and my suitcase in the passenger seat I could fail because it was a different scenerio previously?

    If you are saying they will let "a couple of pounds go" then whats the point????
     
  11. 2000YELLOW360

    2000YELLOW360 F1 World Champ

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    #11 2000YELLOW360, Aug 26, 2008
    Last edited: Aug 26, 2008
    If you get factory parts, you'll be out about 7k for new cats. You can unwind the entire sale, because someone is going to have a major problem with what has occurred. I'd go back to the dealer and give him this option: Put new cats on the car. Now. If he declines, or makes any noise whatsoever, walk straight over to the local police, provide them with the pictures, copies of the smog certification, and let them do whatever they deem necessary. Then provide the same information to the California DMV, and the FBI. DO NOT THREATEN ANYONE BEFORE TURNING THEM IN, IT COULD BE CONSTRUED AS EXTORTION. Just give them the opportunity to make it right, and if they don't turn them in.

    Then, get counsel, and sue for compensation, or recission, loss of use (for the time you can't drive the vehicle) and punitive damages. I'd name the dealer, the smog shop, and all the individuals involved. I'd also contact the prior owner, and give them an opportunity to make things right. If he declines, notify the feds, since modification of a federally mandated emissions system is a federal felony.

    Art
     
  12. Rifledriver

    Rifledriver Three Time F1 World Champ

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    That is not the reason the car is weighed.

    The dyno program needs the information to establish the proper load against which the car needs to push.

    Lets not make this quite so Orwellian.
     
  13. AustinMartin

    AustinMartin F1 Veteran

    Mar 1, 2008
    5,445
    Los Angeles/Idaho
    Did someone say Fraud??? I'm all over it! :D
     
  14. tomberlin

    tomberlin Formula Junior
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    Apr 9, 2005
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    tom berlin
    What are we using for proof when we file suit that the cats were empty when the car was bought?
    Tom B
     
    Efudd1957 likes this.
  15. rivee

    rivee F1 Rookie

    Jan 20, 2002
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    Excuse me, I could be wrong but, I don't recall Ferrari making the F355 in 1985.


    ......just my keen observation.
     
  16. 2NA

    2NA F1 World Champ
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    Dec 29, 2006
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    After 3 years and other hands on the car, I doubt you have any recourse. The smog cert. from the other place (true or not) would seem to point fingers away from them.
     
  17. BigTex

    BigTex Seven Time F1 World Champ
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    Dec 6, 2002
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    There are good aftermarket CATS...ANSA maybe....

    Not sure how it passed 'empty'.......well tuned at the time maybe???

    Here it's pretty hard to make the numbers without them but I have seen it done on the older cars, I know te latercars the number is "0"....LOL!

    Sounds like you are doing the right thing.
     
  18. rivee

    rivee F1 Rookie

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    I believe Daniel at Ricambiamerica sells the Hyper-Flow cats for your car. Pretty reasonable too.
     
  19. Rifledriver

    Rifledriver Three Time F1 World Champ

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    My PPI. If you didn't check then you are SOL.
     
  20. Ricambi America

    Ricambi America F1 World Champ
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    And good timing to purchase them too! That is of course, if you read your monthly email from Rob Lay this morning. ;)
     
  21. Rifledriver

    Rifledriver Three Time F1 World Champ

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    Aren't we the rocket scientist?
     
  22. Rifledriver

    Rifledriver Three Time F1 World Champ

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    "Clean Piped"

    They won't.
     
  23. Jedi

    Jedi Moderator
    Moderator Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Mar 18, 2008
    32,270
    Seattle Area
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    Dave
    I had the same thing on my '86 328 - except the cat was stuffed full of
    old window screen to shut it up. The cat guts had shot out and trashed the
    muffler, so both had to be replaced. And yes, mine too passed a PPI and
    had an emissions 'exemption' from VA where I bought the car. Oh well.
    Now it's right and I'm fine with that.

    A 1985 355?? You must mean 1995 - '94 was the first year for the 355...

    Jedi
     
  24. rivee

    rivee F1 Rookie

    Jan 20, 2002
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    he he
     
  25. hydekirk

    hydekirk Rookie

    Jul 6, 2006
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    Los Angeles
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    Kirk Hyde
    This car was first produced in late 1984.
     

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