Catalytic Converters (Both) Are Bad...

Took my TAC to dealership...cause check engine light was on...They said Both Cat's went out, $2300.00 to replace. However, where I live, we do not need emissions test. Some said don't worry about it, but is it safe? I do not want anything else to Happen to it engine wise...Please Help!!!

Thanks,
Joey

 

i dont think its bad for the engine. there are these neat emulator things that that you can use instead of yor 2nd o2 sensore so your CE light will go out.

 

$2300?????????? That is insane. I would take it to a muffler shop first because there are aftermarket cats that have the sensor inputs. That price iw way out of line. You can search your year and part. Here is an example.


http://www.google.com/products?q=tacoma+2000+catalytic+converter&aq=f

_____________________________

I don't hate Obama.

1. He hasn't been in office to do anything yet.
2. Everyone still has their guns unlike what the fear machine wants you to think.
3. Abortion is the same as it has been ever since I was born.
4. Nothing has really changed other than some talk of healthcare.
5. I don't fall for the punch words that people love to through around like liberal and whatever. They mean nothing.
6. I am old enough (44) to know more than little kids.

 

I paid $500 for a full custom exhaust system on my old vehicle

 

I had both cats go out on my '00 Tacoma a few years ago. My check engine light was on so I went to the dealership and they told me $900 for each cat then labor on top of that. I told them no way and went about 3 years without replacing them. I finally found exact replacements from NAPA for less than $400 total. I never had another problem with them while I owned the truck.

 

My rear O2 sensor was bad throwing the code.
That may be all you have to replace.
Cheaper to start there.
I hear they tend to go around 80K miles.

 

Way too much money! Muffler shop for sure

 

Few comments:

1 Converters are federal emissions and are covered for 8 yrs / 80k miles http://epa.gov/OMS/consumer/warr95fs.txt

2 Converters generally do not just go bad, usually it is an issue with engine tune (Rich / Lean / or burning oil) to excess that kills them off. If you have been driving around a few months with the check engine light on then depending on your issue you risk killing the cats. I've seen many folks replace the cats for BIG $$$ thinking that was the problem only to burn them up again / because the dead cat was the result not the cause.

3 I'd look for some one on the board with a dead engine. There was a guy on here yesterday swapping a dead 3.4L in Richmond. I'm not gonna tell you to check with him because their is a federal law against buying / selling / installing used converters, but you might ask what he would do.

4 Aftermarket converters will work just fine and are less expensive but they are rarely a good fit. They will fit some better then others depending on your application.

5 Your old converter while bad is still probally worth big $$$. Generally $40 - $150 depending on the size and how bad it is damaged. Where ever you get it fixed KEEP YOUR old converter.

 

Yes indeed. Old converters are worth some bucks. That is why some druggies sawzaw them off in the middle of the night.

 

The only best way to keep it is to remove it before you go to the shop. The ones I worked at never charged more if the core was missing or if the converter was gone... But tell them you want to keep your old one and then they will want to charge you...

Generally you can recycle them at most places that recycle aluminium / brass / copper since the converters value is in the exotic metal inside.


~~~~~

and since you post publically your political views. I disagree, While hate isn't how I feel, I do see the national debt rising at record rates, and the dollar declining in value at a similar inverse proportion. I see needless programs and moneys being spent foolishly ~ Not that the opposing canidate would have been a better choice, But govenment needs to change. I think a flat tax and term limits would be a great start towards recovery from political corruption. The kicker for me with this administration is the Helth care bill... I HATE the new healt care bill and think they were foolish to push it thru congress. Unless it is repealed or gutted you will see changes unlike any you have ever seen in your 44 years.

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcon...thcare_08bus.ART0.State.Edition1.38ce1f3.html
Most recently ~ With this bill it looks like big business now LEGALLY has the option to dump ALL employer provided healtcare coverage and just pay the government's fines for a 75% cost savings on a BILLION $$ + liability. What corperate fat cat would sit idle and watch his competitors take the lead on saving thier company 75% on a billion + liability. I thought we were promised we could keep our current provider.

 

The next time you get a check engine light, I would recommend that you got to an Autozone or Kragen (Checkers/Shucks/whatever they call it in your neck of the woods). You can borrow an OBD reader and discover for yourself what codes the engine is throwing. Write them down then look them up on the internet. Best of all its free! I bet the dealer visit cost you $70 or so to diagnose.

If indeed your cats are bad, they could get clogged and cause alot of issues with the engine. I would recommend going to an aftermarket muffler shop and having them weld a couple new ones on and maybe a new exhaust while they are down there. Will cost you 10% of the price. Do not go OEM on cat's if they are going to cost you that much.

 

Im trying to get this thread going again because i need some help,
1.how can i tell if the 02 sensor is whats bad or the cat itself?
2. Ive heard that sometimes just cleaning the cat in soap and water will fix the problem(the engine light will go in if the cat is running any less than 100%)

 

sounds like its time for long tubes and an o2 simulator to me

 

The only way you can properly diagnose which is bad, other than throwing parts at it, is to find someone who has a full scan tool. Not the little ones that just read codes, but ones that give you live data streams. Then you can perform a few test drives to determine if you have a bad O2 sensor (or 2 sensors, etc) or if the catalytic converter is truly damaged. On the Tacoma the cat has to reach below 80% efficiency before it typically sets a code. As has been mentioned in some of the much older posts, you need the THEN determine if there is anything wrong with the engine to damage the cat, as usually a cat will last the lifetime of your truck, as long as there are no engine issues.

I personally and professionally recommend against removing a catalytic converter and using an O2 simulator. For one, it is illegal in ALL 50 states by federal law. For another, a simulator is just that: a FAKE sensor. If there really is a problem in the exhaust stream, the computer will not know this, and will not be able to compensate for a problem. End result could be major engine damage if the problem continues to be missed.

 

i was unaware that the 02 sensors did anything other than monitor the cats, and thought that if u didnt have cats, a simulator would be fine to tell the ecu that the cats were fine. i didnt realize that they were a crucial parts of the engine monitoring system. with that said, theyre are several ppl running long tubes (that cant be ran with cats to the best of my knowledge) that are F/I.

 

The O2 sensors before the cat monitor the A/F ratio of the engine, and the post sensors are used to monitor efficiency of the cat, yes. However without a cat, there is no backpressure at all just after the front O2 sensor, and there are some expert articles I have read that state that without that backpressure, it is possible for the engine monitoring O2 sensor to read erratic, or incorrectly. I will admit that I have not seen any scientific PROOF, as I haven't found an article that shows any proof, it is speculation. Regardless though, it IS still a federal law that you cannot remove the catalytic converter, even on your own vehicle, if it came equipped from the factory with one. Sure people do it all the time, and have probably never been in trouble, but that doesn't make it legal.

 

I have a for sale thread over on TTORA for front and back cats for 200.00. Not pimping my sh#t but if you end up testing your cat/cats and realize you need them, hit me up for a deal. May have your O2 sensors as well, but I'll have to look.

 

That's OK, pimp away! (With links preferably)

~too bad I'm a few years late

 

Yep I had the same concerns when my cel came up. I was convinced one or both cats were starting to get clogged. I ended up getting a while new custom exhaust installed with a single cat instead of two. Because for one I wanted it, and two I thought it would fix everything. Both sensors we're reinstalled. Still got a cel afterwards. Finally got around to replacing the rear O2 sensor, as well as the front too, and the cel disappeared.

So there's a very good chance that it's just your rear O2 sensor not reading properly. Or you r cat is just barely under that efficiency threshold and not actually clogged, but may be on its way. You can test this by testing the backpressure. I didn't on mine because like I said I was convinced it was the cat to begin with and decided to get the exhaust done up regardless.

If you really don't know what you're doing, and feel like you wanna take it to a shop, I would probably advise you to start with purchasing the rear O2 sensor (like $50) and install that and see what happens. Before you throw any more money into it or risk a shop gutting you just like the dealer. You probably need new sensors anyways. And a scan won't always tell you the exact issue and what part needs replacing. Unless you do some more in depth diagnostics and testing like a back pressure test or in depth sensor readings. If you take it to a shop, most likely they are just gonna use a scan tool and see that it says catalyst efficiency below threashold, assume it's the cats (again they might only be barely out If spec) and charge you a lot (granted still a lot less than the dealer) possibly for no reason. When all you may need is that $50 sensor.

But that's not to say that your cat(s) aren't clogged, or on their way. Just saying you need to do some more in depth testing yourself to see, or find a reputable shop/friend that can help diagnose the true issue. But again if you can't or feel like throwing money at it, start with the sensors first.

Oh and yes, the O2 simulator is a TEMP fix. But will not cause harm to the engine. All it does is tell the computer that the cats are fine. But if they are in fact clogged, it could cause damage. But I would assume that this would be to the point of your cats being so clogged that it doesn't accelerate and bogs down. Which I've heard of happening.