You forgot "they burn up" I had my cat disintegrate most likely because
of a too rich mixture. The rattling in the muffler gave away what had
happened.

On 1/15/2011 2:23 PM, Tom Hargrave wrote:
> They go until they fail and they fail in one of two ways, they plug up or
> the catalyst gets contaminated.
>
>
> Tom
> www.towercooler.com
> www.stir-plate.com
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM] On Behalf Of
> John Rodgers
> Sent: Saturday, January 15, 2011 3:55 PM
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: Expected Life of a Cat Converter??
>
>    Anyone know the answer?
>
> Is the cat converter one of those things like an O2 sensor - to stay on
> the game, it needs replacing every 60K, good or bad. Or - Do you just
> run it until  it gives trouble.
>
> I definitely believe in preventive maintenance, and I have 12 years on
> my current cat since new- can't really say mileage. Over 130K, though.
> The cats are pricey.
>
> What say "The List?"
>
> --
> John Rodgers
> Clayartist and Moldmaker
> 88'GL VW Bus Driver
> Chelsea, AL
> Http://www.moldhaus.com
>