I have an A4 2001 5 years/61K miles. I understand I am under the federal or California emissions warranty (70 or 80K). I bought it new in Cal but the mechanic says its federal or out of state. This is weird - maybe the dealer traded it from out of state.

In any case, the dealer just told me the catalytic converter and "down pipe" need to be replaced as I was complaining about a "rattle" which is most noticeable at idle speed. The confusing part is that he told me BOTH that the warranty won't pay for it unless the check engine light is ON yet his mechanic is saying it needs to be replaced.

I really don't give a crap if they check engine light is on or off. If emissions are warrantied and the thing is broken and making a noise and the mechanic and sales people want me to spend $1700 to fix it then I think the warranty should cover it! The dealer/sales guys is contradicting himself by saying yeah, spend the $1700 to get it fixed yet it isn't "bad enough" or something for the warranty to cover it. I don't need a check engine light, my ears tell me the thing is broken.

How do I get them to fix the catalytic converter under the emissions warranty if the check engine light is off yet it needs to be replaced?

Thank you!
A4 in SF

 

unplug the O2 sensors and drive around a little bit

 

it wont be replaced. check the readiness codes and see if any of the tests are failed

 

by unplug he means the rear one... don't mess with the front one

 

front one messes with the mixture, right? yeah, maybe best to leave that one alone

 

then they'll replace it. i went into a dealer with my cat in the BACK SEAT and they put a new one on under AoA emissions warranty.

 

The dealer wanted me to pay for the catalytic converter "out of pocket" and thought my car was under federal emissions warranty. After talking with the right person at the dealer, he finally figured out I did buy it in California and is under California emissions warranty (which is suppose to cover more parts). Supposedly they will fix it even though the check engine light is not on (it makes noise and the mechanic verified it needs replacement).

Can someone please post a link to a PDF file stating want is covered for the Audi A4 (2001) under California emissions warranty? I would like to know the specifics as I think the dealer will stick me with out of pocket costs for parts not covered by the warranty and I'd like to be informed.

All I know is that I need a catalytic converter and a "down pipe" (which I think is the part not covered). I'm not a car pro. I'd like to know if anything else should be done during this process and any optional mods. I am interested in know about what to do front to back involving the exhaust including any insulation for the trunk as the trunk gets so hot from the tail pipe food will melt in the trunk!

Please post your advice for getting the catalytic converter done under warranty and what to do at the same time that could be outside of warranty. Also, I have read about Audi recalls related to emissions. If you know of anything that needs to be done for a 2001 A4 that would be great too. I'd like to have my basis covered for this issue as the dealer is not always that helpful and you guys would probably have more info than they do.

Thanks!