HFC Failure, ever have it happen?

spearfish25 · 01-27-2010, 06:03 PM

Just curious if anyone has experienced a HFC or stock cat failure. Google searching suggests you'd hear rasp, increased foul exhaust smells, and/or loss of power. Considering HFCs already add rasp and some stink, I'm curious how you would determine you had a failure early to prevent engine damage. I'm not having any issues currently...just being a hypochondriac and worrying about my engine in the future.

azn370z · 01-27-2010, 06:40 PM

350z owners had problems with aftermarket cats cracking and also with the inside stuff falling apart and clogging the y pipe.

m4a1mustang · 01-27-2010, 06:45 PM

If any of the catalyst material breaks apart you are going to hear it clunk around in the pipes. Just had to have a cat replaced on my gf's CLK 500.

spearfish25 · 01-27-2010, 07:43 PM

Does this crap get lodged in the muffler as it works its way back from the cats? Sounds like a potential mess that could screw up a catback exhaust.

I looked over at the 350z forums and they had a number of complaints about Berk cats breaking apart. I'm guessing that it may be an issue with any HFC core potentially. Given the vast number of people with HFCs on this forum and the absence of complaint threads about failures, I imaging it's rare to have the cats disintegrate...?

Zsteve · 01-27-2010, 08:02 PM

this is why I had asked in another thread about the quality of the HFCs insides. I know companies like HJS have very good cats and Berk said they use magnaflow. I dont know if Magnaflow is as good as HJS, but dont think so. That may be why some HFCs right now are kinda cheap cuz the insides might be too. Its all a craps game at times.

m4a1mustang · 01-27-2010, 09:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spearfish25

Does this crap get lodged in the muffler as it works its way back from the cats? Sounds like a potential mess that could screw up a catback exhaust.

I looked over at the 350z forums and they had a number of complaints about Berk cats breaking apart. I'm guessing that it may be an issue with any HFC core potentially. Given the vast number of people with HFCs on this forum and the absence of complaint threads about failures, I imaging it's rare to have the cats disintegrate...?

It really depends on how the catalyst breaks up. Large chunks could get lodged anywhere from the break point back and impede airflow. It's possible these could get stuck anywhere in a chambered muffler or within tight bends in non-straight-through mufflers. Since you have the Stillen CBE, I would imagine any catalyst debris would have a better chance getting caught up in your muffler than mine (FI, straight through).

In the case of my GF's CLK, the catalyst separated but remained within the converter housing and just rattled around a lot. I'm assuming this is how most failures would play out... the catalyst would crack up but the majority of it would remain within the housing, making lots of noise.

Thankfully we were still covered by the emissions warranty (good to 80,000 miles) which saved us $1800 to replace one OEM cat... lol.

spearfish25 · 01-27-2010, 09:26 PM

Any idea of average life expectancy of the HFC options (Stillen, FI, Berk, ERZ)? Given the plethora of HFCs out there, there seem to be very few threads about them failing. I wonder if it's not really that common. Who would buy these things if they have a 6-12 month life expectancy?

m4a1mustang · 01-27-2010, 09:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spearfish25

Any idea of average life expectancy of the HFC options (Stillen, FI, Berk, ERZ)? Given the plethora of HFCs out there, there seem to be very few threads about them failing. I wonder if it's not really that common. Who would buy these things if they have a 6-12 month life expectancy?

Honestly, I think any fears of immediate failure are blown out of proportion. I've been heavy into car modding for a long time and have never heard of someone having an issue like this with any aftermarket HFC.

Obviously, at some point, the catalyst is going to degrade and the unit will eventually fail, but I'd expect it would be good for years.

If the government expects OEM emission components (including cats) to last a minimum of 80,000 miles I don't think you need to worry about your HFCs crapping out in 6-12 months. Failure shouldn't happen that quickly unless they are defective.

m4a1mustang · 01-27-2010, 09:39 PM

Also, I have ripped HFCs open before and the honeycomb catalyst is fairly tough stuff.

spearfish25 · 01-27-2010, 09:48 PM

I think you're right. It's easy to read a few posts here and there and then generalize them into a hysteria of impending problems. That's really the only downside I've noticed with my forum trolling. Great info, but you shouldn't over-interpret the good or bad experiences people have.

m4a1mustang · 01-27-2010, 09:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spearfish25

I think you're right. It's easy to read a few posts here and there and then generalize them into a hysteria of impending problems. That's really the only downside I've noticed with my forum trolling. Great info, but you shouldn't over-interpret the good or bad experiences people have.

Yeah -- like the ester oil and oil cooler debates here.

TARDCORE · 01-27-2010, 10:40 PM

I think its great to read what people have to say about products on forums. But to be honest, I think if your truly sold on a product youre gonna buy it unless multiple experience the same issues. I have heard bad things about Forged Performance. I ahev heard bad things about GTM. I have heard bad things about Volks. But its just one problem and the 2 shop issues were misunderstandings. But the forum is stilla great place for reviews by REAL people which is good since a vendor will sugar coat the hell out of a product.

Trips · 01-27-2010, 10:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by m4a1mustang

Also, I have ripped HFCs open before and the honeycomb catalyst is fairly tough stuff.

Same here! I have not seen a cat failure... the only type of failure is from a engine backfire were their have been mufflers torn apart from the explosions..... other than that their pretty reliable...

earwicker7 · 01-27-2010, 11:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Triple's

the only type of failure is from a engine backfire were their have been mufflers torn apart from the explosions

Day-um!

Zsteve · 01-28-2010, 10:15 AM

would the fact that a HFC has less material in it, especially the 200 cell one, cause it to degrade faster? If OEM is around 80,000 miles and those are prolly 400 cell cats then 40,000 miles for 200 cell cats?

And even if thats right then 40,000 should be 2.5 yrs for me.

01-27-2010, 06:03 PM	#1 (permalink)
spearfish25 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Naples, FL Posts: 4,117 Drives: to work Rep Power: 1856	HFC Failure, ever have it happen? Just curious if anyone has experienced a HFC or stock cat failure. Google searching suggests you'd hear rasp, increased foul exhaust smells, and/or loss of power. Considering HFCs already add rasp and some stink, I'm curious how you would determine you had a failure early to prevent engine damage. I'm not having any issues currently...just being a hypochondriac and worrying about my engine in the future. __________________ 2013 Cadillac V-Wagon, RIP Z

01-27-2010, 06:40 PM	#2 (permalink)
azn370z A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Seattle Posts: 1,722 Drives: z34 - R1 Rep Power: 489	350z owners had problems with aftermarket cats cracking and also with the inside stuff falling apart and clogging the y pipe. __________________ 2010 k23 H&R sport springs / Spc rear camber arms / SSR SP1 / Berk cbe / Varis cf lip / Nismo S-Tune side skirts

01-27-2010, 06:45 PM	#3 (permalink)
m4a1mustang A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Northern VA Posts: 55,385 Drives: on two wheels Rep Power: 6962	If any of the catalyst material breaks apart you are going to hear it clunk around in the pipes. Just had to have a cat replaced on my gf's CLK 500. __________________ - Steve Zs & Coffee - Saturdays at 10AM in Fairfax, VA and Columbia, MD (Click the banner!) LIKE us on Facebook!

01-27-2010, 07:43 PM	#4 (permalink)
spearfish25 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Naples, FL Posts: 4,117 Drives: to work Rep Power: 1856	Does this crap get lodged in the muffler as it works its way back from the cats? Sounds like a potential mess that could screw up a catback exhaust. I looked over at the 350z forums and they had a number of complaints about Berk cats breaking apart. I'm guessing that it may be an issue with any HFC core potentially. Given the vast number of people with HFCs on this forum and the absence of complaint threads about failures, I imaging it's rare to have the cats disintegrate...? __________________ 2013 Cadillac V-Wagon, RIP Z Last edited by spearfish25; 01-27-2010 at 07:46 PM.

01-27-2010, 08:02 PM	#5 (permalink)
Zsteve A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: TX Posts: 3,298 Drives: the 2 balled club Rep Power: 21	this is why I had asked in another thread about the quality of the HFCs insides. I know companies like HJS have very good cats and Berk said they use magnaflow. I dont know if Magnaflow is as good as HJS, but dont think so. That may be why some HFCs right now are kinda cheap cuz the insides might be too. Its all a craps game at times. __________________ 2010 LS3 C6 Silver coupe corvette

01-27-2010, 09:26 PM	#7 (permalink)
spearfish25 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Naples, FL Posts: 4,117 Drives: to work Rep Power: 1856	Any idea of average life expectancy of the HFC options (Stillen, FI, Berk, ERZ)? Given the plethora of HFCs out there, there seem to be very few threads about them failing. I wonder if it's not really that common. Who would buy these things if they have a 6-12 month life expectancy? __________________ 2013 Cadillac V-Wagon, RIP Z

01-27-2010, 09:39 PM	#9 (permalink)
m4a1mustang A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Northern VA Posts: 55,385 Drives: on two wheels Rep Power: 6962	Also, I have ripped HFCs open before and the honeycomb catalyst is fairly tough stuff. luigi90210 likes this. __________________ - Steve Zs & Coffee - Saturdays at 10AM in Fairfax, VA and Columbia, MD (Click the banner!) LIKE us on Facebook!

01-27-2010, 09:48 PM	#10 (permalink)
spearfish25 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Naples, FL Posts: 4,117 Drives: to work Rep Power: 1856	I think you're right. It's easy to read a few posts here and there and then generalize them into a hysteria of impending problems. That's really the only downside I've noticed with my forum trolling. Great info, but you shouldn't over-interpret the good or bad experiences people have. __________________ 2013 Cadillac V-Wagon, RIP Z

01-27-2010, 10:40 PM	#12 (permalink)
TARDCORE Enthusiast Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: San Diego Posts: 410 Drives: 2010 Solid Red 370Z Rep Power: 15	I think its great to read what people have to say about products on forums. But to be honest, I think if your truly sold on a product youre gonna buy it unless multiple experience the same issues. I have heard bad things about Forged Performance. I ahev heard bad things about GTM. I have heard bad things about Volks. But its just one problem and the 2 shop issues were misunderstandings. But the forum is stilla great place for reviews by REAL people which is good since a vendor will sugar coat the hell out of a product. __________________ XBL:EVENTYDE

01-28-2010, 10:15 AM	#15 (permalink)
Zsteve A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: TX Posts: 3,298 Drives: the 2 balled club Rep Power: 21	would the fact that a HFC has less material in it, especially the 200 cell one, cause it to degrade faster? If OEM is around 80,000 miles and those are prolly 400 cell cats then 40,000 miles for 200 cell cats? And even if thats right then 40,000 should be 2.5 yrs for me. Rangerz likes this. __________________ 2010 LS3 C6 Silver coupe corvette

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