Jim Grant's Tech Tips
'90 Jetta GLI, Pricey Exhaust
Q:
I have
a '90 Jetta GLI. It is in need of an exhaust, but I can't afford the price
on all the pipes, catalytic converter and mufflers. Will the car run properly
if I put a new catalytic converter on it with a pipe back to one muffler
(it currently has 3)?
-
Nathan B.
A:
I'm
glad to hear that you want to install a converter. So many people want
to rid their vehicles of them but do not realize the volume of pollution
they would create without a converter. In fact,, one vehicle without a
converter can easily produce the same or more pollution than 40 vehicles
with converters driven the same distance. Converters work that good when
things are right. The exhaust system on VW is a costly system. Will your
vehicle run right with only one muffler? Most likely, but I would not
recommend it or perform such work if requested by the customer. If you
should try to by-pass or eliminate 2 of the mufflers, be sure that the
exhaust system is properly sealed and exits the rear of the vehicle as
designed by the manufacturer. Exhaust gases entering the vehicle is deadly
and nothing to mess with.
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