Catalytic Converter Special Service Campaign (2010-2014 4 cyl Tacomas)

Had my replacement done today. No drama. I called around the holidays, they ordered the parts. Called and told me they were in. I made the appt to drop it off, picked it up 4 hrs later.

For giggles I googled the PNs on the invoice, and all are available via Amazon for about $1200 total.

I did crawl under when I got home and looked it over. Everything is in order it appears, no hanging wires or other stuff knocked loose, everything all lined up nice and neat.

I only have <15k on my '13, so no running issues noted. But I'm sure it must be faster now. Where's my stickers??

 

I had no loss of performance when my first catalytic converter failed.. so I wouldn't say it's a guaranteed symptom. MPG was the same, power was the same.. it just rattled like crazy.

 

Got my cat replaced yesterday, and definitely noticed a power and acceleration difference, not to mention it got rid of one of my rattles that I thought was coming from under the hood, and another that would happen every time the engine went through 1500-1600 RPM's. I must have had a partial failure inside the cat and things were starting to knock around and partially restrict airflow. 1800.00 worth of repairs for free at 102,000 miles, I can't complain about that.

Also got to play the fun game of how many toyota service techs try to move my truck before they find the one that can drive a stick. Fun fact, its usually the only female working in the shop.

 

LOL That must of been quite funny (although if you were in a hurry to get it repaired it may not have been ..)

Also Just FYI I'll have mine done in the spring - but I had the TSB for "cold soak shudder" (E prom update) and It looks like I gained a couple MPG and it does run, Idle better - with little bog on long up hills.

 

The first time I picked up my truck from the complimentary service, I saw the porter shift my truck from first to second but when he realized how tall 2nd gear was, he didn't seem to know what to do, so he tried shifting it to first (I am assuming). It was a bit entertaining watching him struggle at first, but then I started getting really worried, but luckily he couldn't get it in while the truck was moving and had to stop in order to put it back in first. He then drove up to me revving the piss out 1st gear. Good times...

 

You must have lenient smog inspections.

 

Had mine done on New Year's Eve. Prior to doing the work they said they needed to inspect it and then order the parts. The service manager said we need to "make sure nothing is getting hot." Huh? This is a Special Service Campaign not a Safety Recall. I stopped parking in the garage after that slip.

Replacement was simple, about 2 hours, $2300 later at no charge.

Here's the rub, my fuel economy was always 21.5 to 21.8, could bank on it. Now it's 19.5 for 2 tank fulls. Another thing that bothers me is now it won't shift to overdrive until the engine heats up. I suspect Toyota dumped a new program in the PCM to season the converter. I am not satisfied at all with this turn of events.

 

It isn't supposed to. You are probably noticing it more since the weather is colder.

 

While coasting down slight declines at 40 mph the truck is engine braking when cold, cold is a relative term in this instance, I live in the South. The power train is unloaded. There is no reason not to shift. I have owned the truck for four years, it has never hung in third for this long. It has a whopping 38k miles on it. I am an ex-transmission engineer.

 

Did you check our the TSB list for "Cold soak" Engine vib/shaking and transmission shifting when cold ? It's for the i4. IT helped my mileage, shuddr and shifting on my 2012.

 

If you are unhappy with the results take it back and ask questions. I also live in the South and when it is cold it doesn't shift into OD until it is warmed a bit. Never has.

 

No duh Jimmy. Take it back. Wow.

Well sir, for the first four years it did and now it doesn't. Cause and effect.

 

You don't have to get all pissy about it.

You suspect that they loaded a new program into the truck that you don't like.
I made a suggestion to take it back and ask questions.
Obviously you don't like that either.

Cause and effect doesn't always hold true.

I guess since you are an " ex-transmission engineer " you could just figure it out yourself and fix it or just enjoy your non shifting transmission.

There is a lot of good help here in these forums, but if you act like an @ss about it the help is usually not as plentiful.

Maybe you could try sending a PM to gearcruncher. He is the transmission go to guy here.

 

x2

 

dealer finally called me today. Parts are in after 7-8 weeks. Going Monday to drop off the truck.

 

During the first couple of days I noticed something different about my truck too. Wasn't quite sure what it was, but something changed. It might be more noticeable to me since I put at least 25,000 miles a year on my truck. Could it be the ECU relearning? Who knows. Anyways, after the first week, I unplugged the battery, gave it about 30 minutes and plugged in back in in hopes of resetting the ECU. I travel about 80-90% highway, maintaining 70mph and I get 27-28, about the same as I always have. I live in Southern California so my cold morning starts happen in the mid to high 40s (some of you might not even consider that to be "cold") so it might not affect me as much.

 

Non-issue. It isn't supposed to shift until it warms a bit. Mine never shifts into OD until it gets up to about 130 degrees engine temp as read by Ultragauge.

 

Had the service done. Truck is quieter, no other noticeable changes.

 

Got mine done a couple weeks ago, got the letter in November Went to Clint Bowyer Toyota in Emporia KS. My appointment was at 11am, left the truck and went to an early lunch with a friend. 11:45 my phone rings, truck is done. Easy in, easy out.

According to my UG I'm getting almost 2 mpg better, but too soon to tell for sure.

Anyone else had to try to answer their phone while holding a greasy, AWESOME bacon cheeseburger?

EDIT: The service manager said several times ... recall. Should I have chastised him as some do on these forums? lol

 

Absolutely!