Catalytic Converter vendor to avoid, negative recommendation: Ultra Exhuast
 

Hi all,

After trying to work with this vendor to get a resolution to my problem, I have come to the regrettable decision that I must voice my opinion that anyone who does business with Ultra Exhaust (www.ultraexhaust.ca / www.ultraexhaust.com) should do so very warily.

I purchased a catalytic converter for my 1999 4dr, 4wd Blazer. When I did a trial fit of the part I found that the bung for the O2 sensor was in the wrong place, on the top-side of the pipe so that when the sensor is installed, the sensor would hit the underside of the body preventing the converter from being mounted. The proper design is to have the bung situation so that it at the side. (See pictures below)

I brought this defect to the attention of Ultra Exhaust and they said I could get a full refund of the original price and the shipping to me. However, they would not pay for the return shipping for an unusable part. They blamed their supplier and said that is why it was not their problem. I find that logic extremely poor and a bit insulting.

In the big scheme of things, this return shipping price is not much but I do think their lack of willingness to pay for it indicates that customer service is a very low priority. It also indicates that quality control is also not a priority.

At the moment, I'm weighing my options: Do I return it and take their refund and buy another cat from somewhere else but have to wait for this all to happen or have a local exhaust shop install a new bung in the correct location and eat the cost of paying the shop to do that so I can get this part installed sooner.

Christine


https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/blazerf...0f7eccc3cd.jpg
Underside of cats; new on left, old on right. Note how the O2 sensor needs to come out of the pipe to the side.


https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/blazerf...ec9b5ca032.jpg
Muffler end view showing the incorrect placement of the bung for the O2 sensor on the new cat converter (on left).


https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/blazerf...bcb59c714c.jpg
Top view of converters showing the incorrect placement of the bung for the O2 sensor on the Ultra Exhaust converter that would prevent the converter from being installed if the O2 sensor were in place.

If speed is of the essence, just get a local shop to adapt it.

If not, why should you pay through the nose for someone elses **** up? Return that ****, you're already displeased with them anyway.

Thank You for the heads up warning. It used to be that here in America there was pride in craftsmanship, I am 57 y.o. and I have witnessed the downfall of everything that used to make America Great ! For instance in 1969 GM started using Plastic/Nylon timing chain gears under the guise of quieter engines,it amounted to garranteed failure at some point along with reduced reliability and shortened life span ! Unfortunately "The American Way" has been redefined and watered down by greed,acceptance and ignorance. Return that P.O.S. post haste !

Technically your critique would be about "North American" craftsmanship since the vendor is in Canada but your point is well taken.

Yeah, I really hate to reward them by letting keep my money but because I am feeling a time crunch, I might have to have a local shop fix it for me. Grrrr

I would consider following this way only if trust everything else is in order. It sounds like a future warranty claim problems to me.
Sorry to hear of Your problems.
Not an easy decision to take. My grandpa used to say, that fact of paying someone the money, is an acceptance of the work done by that person. Therefore, I'd have mental problems going over it.

I feel a part of this. I'm sorry it didn't work out. I posted them in a thread as I order one from them and picked it up myself, as I'm not far from the dealer. Although mine is working out with no modification, I would agree with you christine. I would demand a refund, and I do not recommend ordering from them. Again I'm sorry for referring them.

DonL,

Please don't feel bad. That you had ordered one and it was made properly for you is about as good assurance a person could have.

Since you live where you were able pick up the part yourself, I'm curious what kind of outfit they are? I only ever got an email from someone named Najib and what the emails said made me think they were are reseller of parts, not the manufacturer. I even told him/them that they should be grateful I had spotted the imperfection so that they do not have any future unhappy customers. To that I got no response.

Because of constraints on my end, I went ahead and had it modified. I found a oil pan drain for the one hole and had an exhaust shop install a new bung for me in approximately the right location. It is not quite were I wanted it but we'll see when it cools off enough for me to install it. (100'F+ here today.)

I thought I was getting a good deal on a catalytic converter but I had to spend an additional $80 for a total of $215, including shipping on it. I figure as long as it lasts, cost-wise it is a wash. Of course that does not include the frustration factor! LOL

I would plug the top bung and then drill a hole and weld in a new one

Yeah, that s what I had done yesterday. Will install it this evening or tomorrow. The extra cost was about $80. Grrrr.