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BM Catalysts shares some useful insight into the importance of using new fittings when replacing an emissions control product.
The manufacturer ensures that, where required, technicians have access to accompanying mounting components, with fitting kits being launched as standard with most new-to-range products. Kits can include anything from gaskets and clamps to washers and springs, as well as specialist nuts and bolts.
Mark Blinston, commercial director at BM Catalysts, says: “Fitting kits are a small but important factor to take into consideration when buying or fitting a replacement emissions control product. It recommends using a new fitting kit wherever possible and there are several benefits to using them that are often overlooked.
“The benefits of using a fitting kit outweigh the costs and we encourage technicians to utilise the kits in our range to help prevent invalidating warranties and the complications that can arise from trying to reuse old or existing fittings.”
Over time, gaskets can suffer wear and tear which could cause them to break. Fitting new gaskets at the time of replacing the unit itself helps eliminate this risk and creates a better, tighter seal. With manifold catalytic converters, this means that gases are less likely to leak.
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“As manifold gaskets are compression gaskets, it’s unlikely even the most skilled of technicians will be able to get them in the exact same position again if they intend on reusing them”, Blinston comments.
Much like gaskets, support rubbers can deteriorate and break over time, with rubber known to perish with age. Failure to replace worn support rubbers or hangers can allow too much movement in the exhaust, which could cause damage to the replacement unit. Should an underfloor unit become detached and make impact with the ground, it could potentially destroy the internal monolith, meaning a costly further replacement would be required.
Rusty nuts and bolts can sometimes lose threads, meaning they may not be long enough to fit the new unit – something usually not discovered until the unit is about to be fitted onto the vehicle. Purchasing replacements in advance may help avoid delays or unnecessary complications when it comes to fitting.
What’s more, springs can lose their strength and so cannot hold joints together effectively, thus allowing the joints to blow.
The company is also warning against the use of exhaust paste, as when used in front of a catalytic converter to try and rectify fitting issues, it will invalidate the unit’s warranty. The company recommends using a kit designed specifically to fit the unit to the vehicle to avoid complications and possible warranty failures.
