Cat Converter Making Noise - Mechanic wants $3,500

Hi All,

So I've had my Tacoma for nearly a year now, its a 2005, with 108,000 mi on it. Anyways, I've got a pretty good rattle coming from the Cat Converter in it, and had the mechanic check it out, and he said, I have to replace some manifold thing, the converter and replace the O2 Sensors, and that'll be $3500 that I don't have (I went to Midas to have them take a look).

Anyways, I was wondering if there is a better solution? My hayne's Manual does not cover replacing the Cat Converter. Are there other problems I need to watch out for, whats the deal with the manifold? I do not have a CEL, so the O2 sensors should be fine? Not located in California.

Are specialty tools required for this replacement, or can I do it with a relatively standard socket set? What do I need to buy to do this replacement? How much should this cost?

Thanks for any help,
~Dave

 

You can probably just buy some generic cats and install them yourself, or have an exhaust shop do it. If there really is an issue with your exhaust manifolds it might be cheaper to just get headers if that is your cup of tea

 

Geez that sounds high.

 

Get a second opinion for sure.

 

$3500?!? Holy Cow!

 

Go to another shop, they are trying to rape you.

 

No grease, nothing, plain dry.

 

And have a pimp smack him upside the head...the have the strongest slaps...

Not even a warning

SOOPRIZE BUTTSECKS!

 

sounds a bit high.that's why I try to do most of my own work.I don't like getting ripped off,and it happens all the time. I had a rattle on my 95. the nuts rusted off that hold the O2 sensor on, and it was vibrating around on the studs, drove me nuts till I found it. at first I thought that something came loose in the cat.

 

shit just drop like 700 bucks and get yourself a set of dt long tube headers and a urd ypipe. a bunch of up grades that will replace your cats for a hell of alot cheaper!

 

Wow, find a new mechanic... That price sounds on par with what the stealership would charge you. You're down south so I'd imagine things wouldn't be rusted on so swapping out exhaust parts shouldn't be a big deal unless something needs to be welded on.

 

^^^This

The guy at Midas is just trying to sell you a bunch of stuff so that it takes care of a problem that he may not know (or care) what it is.

Find a reputable independent muffler shop. I've got an 05 with 113k on it and I haven't had to touch the exhaust system. **knocks on wood** It could be as simple as a loose heat shield.

 

Heres the answer, just subtract the MAF calibrator and intake. Its a whole shit load less then what he wants.

 

midas can fuckin suck a dick

i used to have a 99 mazda b2500 ... waited too long on the brakes ... went down there, they wanted $800 to replace EVERYTHIHNG .... figured they were fulla shit ... my buddy had his brother look at it, turned out i needed front brakes / rotors ... and my "axle seals" in the back were not leaking one bit as they claimed

will never go to a midas EVER again

 

There's your problem (bolded). Tell them to stick that quote up their ass. $3500 for a cat and an O2 sensor is fucking ridiculous. My bet is you've got a loose bolt somewhere that's rattling, worst case is you need a new cat. Start it up, and use a stick or something to press up against the different heat shields to see if that makes the noise go away. If you can't find anything, then you might have some loose pieces in your cat or something.

A cat should cost you no more than $300-$400. Worst case is you need to have it welded on.
http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/raframecatalog.php

If you're not up for the task, take it to another shop. But Midas can fuck off.