How long will a catalytic converter last?

I have an '02 3.4L with 295,000 miles. It has never had new CAT's. I am replacing the muffler and pipe and downstream O2 sensor. The decision is should I just bite the bullet and R&R the CAT's and upstream O2 sensor at the same time? I have had the 0420 code a few times, but otherwise have no reason to believe the CAT's are bad, BUT... it seems like a good time to do it if you all feel that at 295k miles I am on borrowed time anyway. Any input is much appreciated, thank you!

 

Dude this a good question. I wish there were answers

 

Don’t buy it until you need it.


Also, yours are worth decent coin at a metal recycler when it gets clogged up. Don’t give that shit away to anyone.

 

They are expensive enough that this is not one of those things to replace "just in case".

Run in until pieces start coming out the tail pipe or you start throwing cat codes. Then *think* about replacing it but only if your state requires it.

 

I agree with everyone else, don’t replace it until absolutely necessary!

 

agreed...dont do it unless you have too.

 

As long as your truck is running correctly... not too rich, not too lean (for a period of time) your cats should pretty much last indefinitely.

Cats don't wear out... they either clog or burn up, due to bad fuel mixture.

Or they disappear because some f'n tweaker crawed under your truck and stole them.

 

And... at least here in CA... I THINK it's actually technically illegal to remove a catalytic convertor unless it is testing bad... in other words you're not supposed to even replace them as preventative maintenance.

I may be wrong about that... but I could swear my father in law was talking about that, and he retired from running a (Chevy) Dealership shop.

 

My 06 corollas cat lasted till 650k. and it only went bad due to rotted out welds on the heat shield leaking gas. 850ish k now and the Cheapass aftermarket still rockin with no check engine light

 

Thought I'd add my opinion here. 190k on mine (3.4L) and fine. I think as long as the engine is not burning oil they will not clog and still work.. I would not replace unless plugged or rusted out. (a leaking head gasket - steam/coolant may do bad things to them also) and another experience I had with a failing ignightor caused one to get red hot and melt down- that one had to be replaced - was a honda.

 

Original cat converters.

 

Im the original owner and original cat at 620,000 miles and superchargered the entire 620,000 which means ALOT more exhaust flow.

Still working with no issues

 

Just drive it off a cliff, jkjk sure if you have 500$ to burn

 

I installed TRD headers and started using Seafoam before every long trip and started throwing codes for bad cats at 150k I tried installing new Magnaflow cats because the oem ones are a grand a piece and they started throwing codes a couple of months down the road. I bought a URD o2 sensor simulator and it “fixed” the problem. I’d like to install new oem cats but I just can’t justify the price when my county in NC doesn’t require it.

 

OP was 2015, answers in 2020.

Damn we slow.

 

Didn’t even notice! =)

 

We may be slow but we get there

 

My cat started throwing codes and ended up needing replacement around 330K. Don't touch it until you have to.

 

If your burning through your cats or they are getting plugged up with a code you have another problem going on.
A simulator will eliminate the cell light but the cats will continue to plugup
and slowly get worse performance over time.

You can get a replacement tube section to replace the cat if your going to use the
02 simulator for 100.00 and not worry about it plugging up if your not an emissions state

 

Not long if you have a lot of druggies around. One tweaker told me that Tacoma’s have a large amount of platinum in the catalytic converters.