Australian '97 2.0 Xantia needs a new catalytic converter. Need help finding the right part.

[kenbw2]

So I'm in the process of buying a '97 Xantia 2.0 16v in Australia, and it's had the necessary state inspection done on it. Failed on a few things of course - tyres, brake pads which is OK, but then there's the catalytic converter. I'm in the UK for a bit, so I'm gonna try to get the cat here and take it with me.

The car

VIN is VF7**************[VIN obfuscated, can be read by forum staff].
XANTIA 5 DOOR SALOON 2.0 i 16v 135 Manual gearbox 5 XU10J4R
Date of manufacture: 20th January 1997
EMISSIONS STANDARD (ENGINE) UPPER ENGINE EMISSION CONTROL EEC 95 L3/W3

How big and heavy is the catalytic converter section?

I'm hoping to get it on the plane but I'm worried about the size.

Anyone able to check how long it is end to end?

Also how much does it weigh?

Which part is the right one?

There seems to be some confusion about which part to get, and it's a long way to come back if it's not right!

Citroen Service says Part No 1731 41 based on the VIN.



So I asked at a motor factors about getting one.

He says OE part no 1731 41 is only for cars up to 1995 - something about Euro 1 vs Euro 2 emissions standards.

These are his best guesses based on the OE number:





Any ideas whether to trust Citroen Service or not, even when the motor factor says that part is only up to 1995?

[xantia_v6]

Be careful, as Australian emissions specifications may not be the same as UK, so standard UK parts may not be correct. The build sheet for the VIN should say which emission spec the car was built to.

Did the inspection specifically fail the catalytic converter? in most countries, the failure would be of an emissions test, which may or may not be the result of a failed converter.

[kenbw2]

Yea I was thinking maybe Australia had less stringent regs than Europe in 1997 so they put an older one on, seems a feasible guess. So go off VIN + Citroen Service seems like the best bet?

All I know is the garage says it needs a new cat, so yea I'm guessing the emissions test failed.

Edit: found the emissions standard

EMISSIONS STANDARD (ENGINE) UPPER ENGINE EMISSION CONTROL EEC 95 L3/W3

[xantia_v6]

Going back (quite a few years), Australia had its own emissions standards and testing methods, which made them the second most strict market in the world, after California. More recently, they accept either European or US standards, but European and US standards required different control systems. PSA make cars for other markets which have adopted the US standards, so you do need to check.

L3 I think indicates Euro 2 (don't ask).

[kenbw2]

The motor factor has said

"They got 3 choices from oe number when I rang and they reckon to go with one that is listed for that year but it's £62 euro 2 emmisions I stead of euro 1 or something"

That sounds consistent with what you're saying about Euro 2/L3.

So the question is which of the two above is the right one. I'm guessing based on the Citroen Service diagram the one with the shorter pipe?

[wurlycorner]

How big and heavy is the catalytic converter section?

I'm hoping to get it on the plane but I'm worried about the size.

Anyone able to check how long it is end to end?

Also how much does it weigh?

It's quite a big lump on Xantia's, tbf. Not something that will go in a suitcase.
All being well, I should be stripping one off my third activa this weekend, so I will measure for you and post up dims.

[kenbw2]

It's quite a big lump on Xantia's, tbf. Not something that will go in a suitcase.
All being well, I should be stripping one off my third activa this weekend, so I will measure for you and post up dims.

That would be great. I've had some measurements but without the pipe up to the manifold, so if you could include that that would be great.

[xantia_v6]

On a TCT, the top end of the pipe would be different (and the whole assembly may be bigger).

[kenbw2]

OK the motor factors has ordered in the two options above. They both match the Citroen OE part number 1731 41

This is the one currently on the car:



These are the two options from the motor factors:



Neither look like the original, but maybe still compatible?

Ideas welcome

[xantia_v6]

The after-market converters available for Xantias all seem to be smaller than the originals (the age of the cars means that they don't need EU type approval), but there have been reports that they don't have a long life.

[kenbw2]

I'm glad to hear being smaller isn't a concern - in fact that helps me with shipping.

I'm not too worried about it having a long life as I won't have the car for that long.

Any opinions on which of the to it's likely to be? Or maybe it doesn't matter