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Forum > Failed Smog Test > Question

Will Holes in Catalytic Converter Cause it to Fail?

My car failed the smog check due to having test holes on my cats. My muffler guy told me that test holes were 100% legal. The muffler guy told me to report them to the BAR, what should i do? I had a damaged CAT and in order to find the damaged cat the muffler guy had to make holes on the CATs to inspect thim from the inside. My car has always passed smog inspection but now they threw this BS at me.

Answer:

Your muffler repair shop is incorrect. Making a hole on the Catalytic Converter will render it "defective" in regards to the emissions inspection. There is never a need to drill a hole into a catalytic converter to test it. A catalytic converter can be tested by making holes only before and after the CAT (on the exhaust pipes only) and taking exhaust samples pre and post the CAT. There is no need to report the smog station. They have done nothing wrong. posted by SmogTips Support

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