Dealer says I need to replace both catalytic converters.

3 points of emphasis..

Misfires ruin catalytic converters. That is why the cel flashes when you have a misfire it is trying to get your attention.

Some codes are vague, P0420s are not vague. That is the last code the manufacturer wants to see pop up because if it's under 8/80 they have to warranty the cat. The PCM is going to exhaust every last possible test of the coolant temp, the oxygen sensors, etc before it finally sets the code. If it had an oxygen sensor issue it would have oxygen sensor codes. If it had a coolant temp or thermostat issue it would have a P0 128 thermostat regulating temp code. The only thing to really check is any air leaks getting into the exhaust

Lastly, this should absolutely be covered under warranty 100%. I would get a 2nd opinion from an independent shop or /and a 3rd opinion from another dealer and then demand that the dealer cover this.

 

That a dealer would even recommend that this be a "customer pay" item without extensive proof as to why it's not covered under the 8/80 says a lot about the dealers staff and integrity over all.

 

Why is he asking the question if he is under warranty? Why would dealer quote him if under warranty?

 

Do you have a short daily commute? Not fully heating up the engine and cats on a regular basis will clog and kill your cats. Make sure to go for a half an hour drive a couple times a week.

 

^^^ X10

OP, if you have bad cats and warranty refuses to replace them do this:
1. Determine why they are bad, ie. missing, bad gas, etc. mentoned above and fix problem.
2. Don't let the stealership touch your truck, especially to the tune of $2300.
Do it yourself for pennies by rejuvinating them:

 

I can’t think of a reason why the warranty would be refused.

It’s federally mandated, unlike the rest of the warranties.

 

if the dealer says they are bad have them replaced under warranty then even if they weren't bad you got a brand new set for nothing out of your pocket.

 

Check your gas cap,too make sure its on tight,and is in good shape,my trac light came on also,and it was a bad fuel cap.Read your codes yourself,I would not trust Toyota.

 

Is it possible the stealership thinks U R a idiot and would like to give them $2300 ? Just tell them to replace for free under warranty and watch their story change or if U did something stupid and ruined them then get them 4 free anyway.

 

Because the dealer would rather have the customer pay rather than Toyota, it pays more. The cats are covered under the 8/80,000 mile emissions warranty.

 

from what i understand, as long as you can justify WHY, Toyota Warranty pays the dealer pretty well, How the dealer pays the tech for a warranty claim is another deal (in the GM world, techs get SCREWED HARD on warranty repairs). Thing is Toyota warranty will recall the parts and if the repair isn't justified, they will deny the claim. THAT is what makes this a jenky deal in this case. They wanna replace, but aren't confident enough to claim warranty ? "Eh, Maybe the customer will swallow and we'll be golden."
Maybe they should do some real diagnostic work (its hard, and time consuming, easier to try and hump the customer)

 

not at all

they can last 200,000 miles or more

the sensors (o2) that can throw a code usually last 120,000-140,000 miles or so


sum ting wrong here,

 

Your check engine light would have to be lit for months, even years to cause the cats to fail. Operating with a CEL present means your truck has been running in open loop since the light came on. 1 day is not going to fail the cats.

"Open loop" is similar to operating with the choke on. Excess fuel is making its way to the cats and over loading them. 1 day won't hurt anything.

You need to find another dealer.

 

It's always easier to get more money out of the customer. When the customer pays the dealership has the money the day the vehicle leaves. There are no warranty claims to submit, no parts have to be sent back, no discrepancy on the work and you can always get more from the customer. There are some recall claims that are done that pay absolutely nothing close to what it takes in the real world. It's always better to get the customer to pay if your a dishonest dealership.

 

Cats do go bad eventually. If they are saying they need replacing and its covered by warranty, let them replace them and start your clock over. At least you'll know you arent paying out of your pocket for many more years to come.

 

If the dealer says you need cats then have them put in under warranty and when they say they are bad tell them that it is under the 80k warranty and force them to do it for free

 

Make sure you tell them you keep the old ones. The tweakers get huge money for old cats, you might as well get something out of the deal.

Seriously, get another estimate. There is no way the cats are bad.

I generally defend dealerships, but when shit like this happens, I get irritated.

 

That is an awesome solution!

 

I would wager the dealer would change his tune when you told him they were covered under the warranty and you wanted them replaced under the warranty. Sounds like they are trying to make a little extra money to me.