Do it yourself catalytic converter? 2nd gen

I just got a quote from my mechanic on replacement of my catalytic converters. Although only one bank is reporting a problem, he suggests replacing both since the other one is apparently "weak". parts + labor $2,800.00

I'm considering doing this myself. I can get an aftermarket converter for $306. I'm a shade tree mechanic, but I confess I don't know what's involved in this. Is there any welding involved? I've got a stick welder, but I'm not too good with it. If there's no welding, then what's the big deal? What kind of specialized equipment is needed?

 

It's just welded on. Factory converters are like $1,200 a pop. Aftermarket will likely throw a code.

 

Could you even get the after market ones shipped to CA? The ones on my 05 2.7 went out and there isnt an aftermarket one that i could get shipped to Ca.

 

Good question. I have no idea.

 

If you end up doing the job yourself, don't just chuck your old ones in the trash. There are platinum group metals in it that are worth recycling. If you do have a shop do it for you then ask them if they're giving you money back on your old ones because they'll damn sure be recycling them. You might check around your area for metals recyclers and see what they'll give you for the old ones.

 

If u are not sure its your cats take a laser temp gauge and aim it at the front of the cat. Then the back. If its hotter at the back of the cat then its a bad cat. If it is hotter in front u should be good


Now. On the shipping issue. Get a PO box out of state then pick it up and drive it back.
Hope everything works out for u man. I would diffently make sure its the cat. I have been down the road where a mechanic told me it was both my cats. In actuality it was both of my 02 sensors.

 

Yeah, I plan to get a second opinion. Just to check it out cost me $100. As for the P.O. box in another state, I'm in California. It might end up costing me more in gas to go get it than I would save.

 

does the exhaust smell like rotten eggs? if no its not the cat.
do you hear a rattling from your truck where the cat is? or sounds like metal shavings in a tin can? then it may be your cat. From my experiance, if the front cat is bad, then the one behind it is on its way out.
but, do your research befor you spend your hard earned money at the stealership. or other mechanics. Just stop by a shop and ask some questions. if they tell u its you cat, i would do other steps first.

first, check for exhaust leaks from the manifold to just after the downstream O2 sensor. next, check 02 sensors. if they are OEM, replace with denso direct fit replacement. if they look burned out, they are bad.
if u dont and they are bad, you wil just ruin the new cat if u get one.
next, check air fuel ratio sensor, u may be running rich or lean.


Also, Auto zone lets you use a scan tool for free, same at pepboys, and advanced. screw paying someone.

by the way, if u have more than 100,000 miles, it may be just you sensors. they burn out.

GOOD Luck hope this helps

 

Just did a search. No real problems with cats on this site. It's probably the sensors.

 

Of course, it depends on operating conditions, but in general you have that backwards. The exotherm from the reactions across a 3-way cat can cause a temp increase of anywhere from 0 - 150 F.

 

well, its just the info that i used to pass emimission. . friend at MIDAS told me that.if im wrong i may have lucked out. the way it was explained to me, was that if you have nothing inside your cat to filter the emissions, then the back of the cat( where it goes from a larger surface area to a smaller pipe, will be hotter because of the excess heat caused by pressure. Now if the cat is clogged then obviosly it would be in the front. So it will work both ways situationaly dependant.

 

and i also believe that magnaflow direct fit manfold cats are like 500 $

 

What was the original complaint (yours). Light on? noise? smell?.. If the light is on and the code is throwing a po420 code it will say that System efficiency below threshold. also known as ((insuffecient funds)) in your checking account. The sensors are reading that your cats are operating below the 95% threshold. As long as there are NO exhaust leaks its a pretty good assumption its the converter. If you do need to replace the converter I would recommend using a direct fit and not a universal. Try not to use a converter from advance a/zone and do not rely on them to tell you what the problem is ie. code reading. They can give you a obdII code but I would advise you to research it before buying anyparts goodluck

 

To answer your question yes welding is required, a stick welder would be a pain in the ass on material that thin even for a good welder, I would tig weld it. Universal cats wont do, new vehicles can be picky with them, its a gamble really.


Edit** Scratch the header idea, I see you are in California.

Your best bet might be finding a wrecked truck and getting the parts. A possible cause of the cat's going bad is low quality fuel and/or worn spark plugs. Maybe someone on the board who has upgraded to headers might have some cats around.

 

Not sure how many miles you have on the truck but emission warranty is like 80K or so. Double check into that.

 

Indeed sir. Federal Emmision warrenty is 8 years, 80k miles. Keep YOur PAPer for MODS

 

platinum=good. Rhoduim= amazing. the last price per ounce i saw of rhoduim was like 5000$ platinum is like 1,xxx $

 

Thanks for all of the replies. I ended up replacing the cat and both sensors myself. It was a minor PIA, but well worth the savings. The truck has over 130k miles, so it was well past warranty. Also found out that here in Kalifornica it's against the law to put an aftermarket cat on a vehicle. Mail order won't ship them here, and local parts houses can't sell them here. So it was off to the dealer. The cat and sensors set me back just over $1,000. I took pictures all along the way. If there's interest, I'll post them.

By the way, there is no welding involved. They come pre-welded to the exhaust manifold.

 

Joe - I know this is an old thread, but how did you get the old one off (and where did you find it for just over $1000? My cat is rattling around.... and about to give up the ghost....

 

Did you ever consider washing the cats. I know there is a couple threads on reviving them.

Also like OP found out, even if you were to get aftermarket cats, there is an actual imprinted writing on them that say NON CA legal or something of the sort, they wont pass smog if it doesnt have that imprinted on em.