check code PO420 again

[aerohawk]

Hi all, I have a 02 camry (95k) and the CEL came on. I followed the advice I read in this forum and took it to Autozone and the error code was PO420 - Catalyst System Efficiency below threshold (Bank1). I am trying to avoid taking it to the dealership since they are asking $650 to replace it and some gasket. I believe there has to be a cheaper (better) alternative especially since someone in here earlier mentioned that he fixed this same problem and it was a Valve Assemby Vacuum. Could anyone shed more light on that or suggest an easier way out? I've also tried in vain to find a vendor that has the catalytic converter in stock. Thanks guys, I'll appreciate whatever help I can get.

G

[ShawnM]

A converter effiency code will only be set if either the converter is bad or there is a problem with the oxygen sensors. With 95 K on it im guessing its the converter, and of course theyre not cheap no matter where you go. The VSVs will cause evaporative system codes not converter codes.

[Venkatesh]

I have a 1996 Camry (190k) with the same problem right now. I took it to the dealer (after several mechanics refused to deal with a car with that much mileage) and he tells me that the Catalytic Converter, both O2 sensors, and the piping around it all needs to be replaced. The Catalytic Converter is $826, O2 sensors are $149 apiece, and the rest of the parts bring the price up to $1500 (without labor). A true P0420 is very costly, apparantly.

The dealer told me that many Gen 3 and Gen 4 Camrys have terrible problems with emissions and the Catalytic converter in particular. He also mentioned that the O2 sensors often get stuck (permanently) to the Cat because of the very high temperatures there.

The best bet for the Catalytic Converter is Toyota itself. The parts are very expensive, because dealers need to replace the Cat, O2 sensors, and manifolds together (or so I was told). Finding the Cat from vendors would take quite a bit of effort.

Good luck with your Camry.

[aerohawk]

Thanks fellas, I guess there is no easy way out of this one.

[chronoti]

your dealer is trying to rip you off, you only truly need the 2 o2 sensor that lead off the block (v6, 1 if i4) the one post cat is useless so is that cat unless you have emissions.

you can change your o2 sensor your self might take a lil new skills,

if you go under there and it's really is too hard to take out due to the heat then heat it up with a tourch, and then take it out, rember the wear gloves when working there or you'll burn your self

try replacing that o2 sensor and see if it goes away or else i can tell you how to alter the o2 sensor reading to turn the cel off till you can get the car replaced

[aerohawk]

thanks cronoti for your idea. I haven't worked on a car before by myself but i can look around and see whether there is someone who can do that privately.
In the mean time, I became a bit more frustrated after calling around the dealerships to figure out a good estimate on what it would cost to replace the cat, I came to realize that half of them were quoting prices for different parts. Apparently, there is a catalytic converter for the manifold and one for the exhaust and one costs around $438 and the other over $900. How in the world do I know for sure which one was to be replaced based on the cel code? I never gamble with money and this is definitely one situation i'd hate to do that on.

[rusty9]

ha, ill tell you what, at my garage we also sell gas, cheap gas that is. 2 weeks ago we got a shipment of the real cheap gas. all of a sudden a LOT of cars keep coming in with the MIL on and the same code. usually within 10 minutes to a day after filling up.
coincedence?...

[aerohawk]

interesting you mention that because my light first came on on my way to Michigan and that was about 15 minutes afterr filling up at a gas station on the hwy,

[ShawnM]

Cheap gas will destroy your converter in the long run. I have always used nothing but premium gas in all my cars and have never had any converter problems. My 89 deville had 210K miles on it and still passed emissions with the original converter. Unfortunatly it then rusted apart. Of course there are other things that will affect the life span of the converter as well, but good quality gas will give you much less problems in the long run. Keep in mind that there is an extended warranty that covers the emission system for something like 8 years or 80K miles. Most dealers will not tell you that cause they would rather have you pay for it.

[eigm]

"i can tell you how to alter the o2 sensor reading to turn the cel off till you can get the car replaced "

I'm listening...please do tell.