HOMETUNE:

ENGINE DIAGNOSTICS EXPERTS - Est. 1991

We diagnose & repair electronic faults that others will not find...
Modern cars with Catalytic Converters no longer use carburettors to provide fuel control required by their engine management systems. Every new car since 1993 (K Reg) has come equipped with fuel injection of one kind or another, controlled by a computer.

No more DIY !
Due to the increased level of sophistication of the fuel injected car, the days of DIY 'tuning' are long gone. The average motorist cannot afford the specialist equipment needed to keep a fuel-injected, electronically controlled car in top condition. We have the latest hand held diagnostics tools available, which are updated on a monthly bases always ensuring that our equipment is up to date with the latest technology.

Problems
Most people don't realise they have an problem until the car fails the MOT, the engine management warning light comes on or the car starts to run badly. Then they are unsure of how to proceed. As Diagnostic specialists, we have invested thousands of pounds in equipment and training to ensure that we can solve your fuel-injection and diagnostic problems. We are also suppliers of top quality components.

Catalytic Converter Problems? Do I need to change my cat?
A catalytic converter is an expensive item, so you don't want to change it unless it is absolutely necessary. We have the right tools and expertise to assure you of the condition of your catalytic converter. Read on...

Catalytic Converter Experts
At Homtune Motoring Services Warrington, you can be assured that we are experts in this field. We have the latest exhaust gas analysis equipment.

How cats work...
If your car runs on petrol and was built after 1992, it will have a Cat (catalytic converter). It may even have one if dates from before 1992. Environmental lobby pressure on Governments has forced them to legislate to attempt to limit potentially damaging emissions. The Cat is a device located in the exhaust system which converts unwelcome gases from the exhaust into harmless Carbon Dioxide - the same as we breathe out - Nitrogen, which forms 80% of air, and water vapour in the form of steam. It does this by passing the gases over a fine honeycomb (usually of metal) that is plated with precious metals such as platinum, palladium and rhodium. It is these precious metals that initiate the chemical reactions.

Q: How do I know if my Cat is working?
A: Only in extreme cases of cat meltdown will a total blockage occur, you will know that something has gone wrong because the car will not run! But mostly, you will only find out when the car fails the emission test at the annual MOT.

How we test your Cat
At Hometune we have several ways of testing your Catalytic converter. We have invested in the latest technology so that you can be confident that our engineering report is accurate:

• Emissions test. As mentioned above, by measuring the car's emissions it is possible to tell from the readings that the cat has failed.
• Rattle test If the 'honeycomb' inside has broken up, when the Cat is pounded with a fist, the rattling from inside gives the game away. Don't try this yourself unless you are certain the Cat is cool enough to touch.
• Temperature. Using our specialised laser pyrometer (a thermometer used for measuring very hot temperatures), we spot check the inlet and outlet temperatures. The rear of a functioning Cat is much hotter than the front.
• Back pressure. We measure the exhaust back pressure to see if there are any blockages.