106 Cat or no cat ?

My lad has a 10 yr old P106, 42k miles on the clock, the exhaust back box came
adrift yesterday. Took it to Kwik Fit this morning, to get a quote. They put
it up on the ramp and I had a good look with them. They say because it's the
car's original exhaust, they have to replace the entire system including the
cat. Quoted 230 UKP. I'm going to get a second opinion tomorrow at a trusted
local garage.

However, out of interest I examined the exhaust on my wife's 2002 P106, (that
she's had from new) and I'm amazed to see no cat.

I can't understand why. Both the same size engines, 1124cc.

Can someone explain why ?

 

There is. It'll either be that thin that you didn't notice it, or it's part
of the manifold / downpipe.

 

Ah, yes, found it now. Directly behind the radiator, with what I assume to be
the oxygen sensor stuck in the top.

Many thanks

 

spot on!
about 1991 on in most cars cats were fitted.

 

And ther's another oxygen sensor after the cat.

 

Probably management forcing sales people (mechanics) to sell as much as they
can and take people for a ride. I am amazed they didn't say your rear shock
absorbers were broken and your brake pads needed doing, not to mention the
tracking. It would be far too dangerous to let you drive it away and they
could offer you finance at 30% APR!

They only need to replace the backbox if that is all that has gone. It
should be around £30 as all they do is cut the old one off and throw a new
one underneath. If the car is not red hot then allow about 1 hour.

 

That's what I'd hoped for, however about 2 inches of the pipe that
leads into the back box has also turned to dust, hence the claim that
the whole exhaust system needs replacing. I don't believe them, hence
the visit to the local garage.

 

Soemtimes they're right. OE exhausts hold up well so by the time they
start falling off the innards are usually long gone. Whether you need
£230 worth though I'd not like to say. Fixing odd bits of pipe isn't
their run-of-the-mill kind of stuff and it while you can do it chances
are you'd be back before long.