1998 Camry V6 - Catalytic Converter Casing

[1998camryv6]

The stainless steel casing of the converter is broken. It looks like an armor plate. I tried looking for it online and in stores, no luck. In the store, the mechanic said, its not an essential part especially during winter, but definitely a must during summer as the catalytic converter will get too hot, and may catch fire. I would like to know where I can get this part, is the dealer the only source?

Thanks!

[hill8570]

Protector, Monolithic Converter 18435-20020 . Roughly $40 from the stealership.

I think that shield is just there to protect the cat from road debris, with a secondary mission of keeping it from lighting off stuff (such as dried grass) that is touching it. Unlikely that the cat would "catch on fire" in the summertime if the shield wasn't there.

Might be able to score one at a junkyard -- I'm pretty sure all the Gen4 V6 units used the same shield. Make sure the flanges on the converter that the shield attaches to are still intact, otherwise there's not a lot of point in a new shield.