catalytic converter - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

bobkat59 · 02-07-2009, 09:10 PM

I have a 2004 Corolla S and just replaced the Oxy sensor and the check engine light came on again. I took it to a local mechanic who informed me that my cc was bad and it would cost 1400 bucks to fix! I have 156 thousand miles on it and it runs great. My gas mileage has dropped to 27 mpg on the highway, it used to get around 32. Does this sound legit? I wonder if this is something that has happened to anyone else. I have to have a emission test in 2010. what would you do?

mikered30 · 02-07-2009, 10:31 PM

What is the code, P0420?

bobkat59 · 02-07-2009, 10:41 PM

Dunno, the mechanic told me it was the cat. Does gas mileage drop with a bad cat? Does the cat go bad? I have never had a cat go bad. Why is it so expensive?

Slaander · 02-07-2009, 10:55 PM

P0420 Catalyst System Efficiency Below Threshold (Bank #1)
P0430 Catalyst System Efficiency Below Threshold (Bank #2)
P0433 Heated Catalyst Efficiency Below Threshold (Bank #2)
P0434 Heated Catalyst Temperature Below Threshold (Bank #2)

ems · 02-08-2009, 03:33 PM

A cat does not cost that much. Look on Toyota parts direct to get an actual price you will see the true price.

Raddman · 02-08-2009, 06:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bobkat59

I have a 2004 Corolla S and just replaced the Oxy sensor and the check engine light came on again. I took it to a local mechanic who informed me that my cc was bad and it would cost 1400 bucks to fix! I have 156 thousand miles on it and it runs great. My gas mileage has dropped to 27 mpg on the highway, it used to get around 32. Does this sound legit? I wonder if this is something that has happened to anyone else. I have to have a emission test in 2010. what would you do?

Your CC might be on it's way to getting fried or falling apart inside, my friend had some converter blockage and it blew his exhaust gasket out with back pressure, could have been worse, we opened up the old CC and all kinds of crap fell out, his gas millage was going down before this happened also!

Paying $1400 is reducilous, you can buy a new one on line for around $350 maybe cheaper, take it to a locally owned muffler shop, I bet they will put it on for a couple hundred dollars maybe even less, your savings would be $800+

caddymac · 02-09-2009, 02:14 AM

I was able to buy a new cat off of eBay for my Buick Park Avenue for around $56. My brother helped me weld it up, but I'm sure the right muffler shop could help you out.

***PhatRoyale*** · 02-10-2009, 10:11 AM

just buy a new OEM catalytic converter from the TN parts vendor.

they currently have a promotion going on. 5% off for tn members

karazy · 02-11-2009, 05:28 PM

I thought the CC was covered by warranty for 8 years. It's worth checking into.

Raddman · 02-12-2009, 12:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by karazy

I thought the CC was covered by warranty for 8 years. It's worth checking into.

Great idea but he has 156K on his--->emissions warranty 8 year/80k

But it's good advice for people here that are in the warranty range of time with similar problems!

bobkat59 · 02-12-2009, 10:50 AM

I guess I will try the local muffler shop.

bobkat59 · 02-12-2009, 03:34 PM

Well I took the cat pipe off, which is 83 inches long. The cat is up at the motor end and the other bulges are expansion chambers. I knocked the stuff out of the cat and put it back on. I won't have any back pressure problems. The Checck eng light is still on and I am going to the parts store to shut the light off with their little hand held device. Hope it works. Will replace it myself before next year when it has to be inspected.