In the auto business since 1973 – yikes, i’m old?? Catalytic Converter Replacement. I was also under the impression that without that sensor, the ECU is unable to operate, essentially breaking the engine by rendering it unable to … He wants you to replace it so be can put a aftermarket not approved non OEM new convertor. As a result, these gases will be built up, causing high pressure on the engine, and therefore, the engine will start stalling and making it hard to start. 2021 Recently took my car to a dealership to get my exhaust manifold fixed (had a crack) total around 500. Agreed, the mechanic is looking to rip you off hard! A bad catalytic converter costs in the neighborhood of $1000-2500. Infiniti Q60 - Exhaust and Emission System - Woodland Hills, California. If you take your car to a parts store, they should be able to scan it for free. Fast, free online quotes for your car repair. Is it possible the truck was intentionally tuned to roll coal before you took ownership? You can still drive the vehicle but you’ll need to get it taken care of before your next emissions test (if your area requires it). If you regularly drive short distances with your car, the hydrocarbons may not be getting burnt away completely because the catalytic converter is not getting the opportunity to get hot enough. Even so, it is always wise to be closely attuned to the performance of your vehicle so that you notice indications of … The rattle may be more obvious when starting the vehicle and will worsen over time. Does that sound about right? Failed inspection. Is it worth dumping $1800.00 into?? I’d recommend getting a quote from an independent shop. Tests found the catalytic converter had internal degradation and needs to be replaced. Another option is using sodium hydroxide. My check Engine light just came on my 2006 Acura TL its the cat (P0420 )About how much is the average cost of repair? This is what relays exhaust gas changes to the vehicle's computer. My mechanic is telling me they can’t remove some bolts. It sounds plausible to me, especially if that includes the cost of the oil pan gasket replacement. If these sensors detect the exhaust gases are not being catalyzed properly for whatever reason, the “Check Engine Light” will come on. 2. Catalytic converters are pretty expensive. Drive the car on a highway and drive at a speed limit for two miles. A dented catalytic converter often means that parts of the fragile ceramic catalyst have broken off inside and functionality of the cat is reduced. For replacement parts, we recommend: PartsGeek.com. Sometimes a faulty O2 sensor will throw the same check engine light you’d see on a bad catalytic converter. P0420 is usually a bad catalytic converter or O2 sensor. How quick should I worry about getting this fixed before it causes anything else to go bad? When replacing the catalytic converter, it may be necessary to replace oxygen sensors as well. Mobile mechanics can only do this service if you have a direct fit catalytic converter bought from a dealer. The result is a non-functioning cat. I have a check engine light P2099 on a 2010 Acadia. If a catalytic converter becomes old or damaged internally from excessively rich fuel mixtures, the catalyst coated honeycomb meshes on the inside of the converter can collapse or break apart, causing a rattle. You’ll want to replace the cat as soon as possible as those chunks of dislodged material can actually make their way further down the exhaust system and into the muffler. The not so good: The plate is obviously just a deterrent, but it seems short. Mercury Mountaineer - Exhaust and Emission System - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Almost all problems with a catalytic converter are because of an engine issue. To get a good deal with Converter Guys, make sure you cut your converter close enough to the front and back to assist us in easy recycling of the metals. Car shows no issues of driving besides when I’m stopping my RPM slightly jumps up but I’ve been told that’s not from a catalytic converter. This happened about 6 months ago and I don’t know if it was the same code or not. The catalytic converter is built into the vehicle’s exhaust system, and as a result, can affect the performance of the engine if it develops any problems. Here’s a good video explaining the process:  If there is damage to the catalytic converter including pieces of the honeycomb breaking off inside, it’s simply not fee-sable to attempt any type of repair even though you’ll find people online saying otherwise. Because of the precious metals used in its construction (ie: platinum and palladium), replacing a catalytic converter is not cheap. I haven’t had the car that long and have so many problems with it already. Recently, I’ve noticed that the catalytic converter belonging to this truck has produced massive black exhaust fume. Lol. All rights reserved. Exhaust and Emission System Inspection Cost, The statements expressed above are only for informational purposes and should be independently verified. Keep in mind that the catalytic converter could fail again in a short time if an underlying issue is not fixed. It is filled with a chemical catalyst, usually a platinum and palladium mixture, and helps to convert the vehicle’s emissions into non-harmful gasses. One of the most common reasons for failing an emissions test is a bad catalytic converter. Thank you for catching this. It may be a good idea to bring the truck to a mechanic to have it evaluated first. Since the design is fairly simple, replacement costs are usually cheaper. Unfortunately, they’re just giving you an excuse for not having it done. You own the Jeep and the seller has an obligation to complete any of the repairs to the extend of the contract language. Modern vehicles contain oxygen sensors which are able to monitor the catalytic converter’s efficiency by checking the exhaust’s gas levels. I have a 97 Acura CL. I just bought a 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee over 3 weeks ago.. everything seemed ok but when I got home from the dealership that night the engine light went on.. the next morning I backed out of the garage slowly and when I went to slightly accelerate it didn’t seem to have any power… then when I got out into the road and put it in drive the same thing happened with low power but it did finally came out of it.. When this sensor is not working correctly, incorrect or misdiagnosed air/fuel mixtures are relayed to the vehicle's computer causing incorrect changes... Get a fair & transparent quote instantly before booking. If your car runs/idles good and the check engine light is not on, then it's safe to assume that your catalytic converter isn't being negatively affected any more than normal. Now I want to replace it but worry about getting the right catalytic converter for my truck. I would start with checking the O2 sensor. If your catalytic converter is clogged with minor issues, then taking the car to a highway will do the trick. It could be a bad O2 sensor which would be about $200-500 to replace. I have corrected the error. Though not common, rocks, road debris, or potholes can all damage or crack the outside shell of a cat or the hangers that support it. Signs of a Clogged Catalytic Converter. It all takes time, whether heating and soaking with lubricant or cutting, drilling and tapping. The catalytic converter is one of the most important emissions components found in modern vehicles. Here you can read about the catalytic converter cost, labor, and parts prices when to replace it, etc. Either fault can negatively affect engine performance and cause a reduction in power and acceleration as well as fuel economy. © 2021 CarTreatments.com. Top 8 Bad or Clogged Catalytic Converter Symptoms. The most popular service booked by readers of this article is Exhaust and Emission System Inspection. I had just put gas in the car , I use the same gas station every time I fill up. Should be fine. He reset code and told me to drive to see if comes on again. It may not even be one as they rarely fail. Almost all gasoline engine cars build since 1981 have a three-way catalytic converter. Taking your car into a … I think it’s wise to check the O2 sensors first, since they’re much cheaper to replace than the catalytic converter. The catalytic converter is an emission control device found in the exhaust system. On the other hand, running the transmission 3 quarts low is kind of a big deal and leads me to believe that the vehicle wasn’t cared for by its previous owner. Here is a more detailed list of the 8 most common symptoms of a bad catalytic converter. Does that seem enough time to replace items? Hi, I have a 2500HD Duramax truck. Next time, consider having the vehicle inspected by a third party mechanic before purchasing at a dealer such as this one. Exhaust came loose . It is a metal canister installed in the exhaust system. And how much will it cost to replace a catalytic converter? Most cars on the road today have one catalytic converter but many with dual exhausts have two (one unit for each set of pipes). A variety of other issues can activate the Check Engine Light, so it is recommended to have the vehicle scanned for trouble codes to be certain of the issue. Common signs include reduced engine performance, rattling sounds, and the Check Engine Light turning on. Please see our, Ford Escape - Thermostat - Corona, California. When a converter is bad or failing, the rear oxygen sensor shows a lot of oxygen coming out of the converter, and therefore the light comes on to show that the converter is not healthy. Labor costs will set you back $75 to $150 for the estimated one hour of labor needed for replacement. I was told by a muffler shop that it would take an hour to an hour and a half to replace exhaust and catalytic converter. If parts of the honeycomb material inside the catalytic converter break apart due to excessive heat or damage, you will likely notice a rattling sound coming from under your vehicle while idling or driving. Catalytic converter symptoms are often similar to other more straightforward issues. Returning the Jeep would give you the chance to find a vehicle in better condition. While this is often the culprit, things like plug wires, spark plugs , fuel adjustment—and lots more—can be a much less expensive solution. This morning the engine light came back on and I could just cry… I a female Nurse that lives alone with no family nearby and I now feel like I’ve made a horrible decision buying this Jeep that I really really like. Hello my check engine light just recently showed up I went to auto zone to see what was the problem and they said it was the catalytic converter. AutoZone's high-quality, replacement catalytic converters keep your emissions in check and ensure your entire exhaust system is running smoothly. The noise will often be the loudest when starting the car. Mechanic says cat needs replacing, however a friend hooked up sensor detector thing to it and only O2 sensor showed was bad. But combined with one of the signs above, it may be a good indicator. In other words: not all bad catalytic converters are clogged catalytic converters. Finally, physical damage to the cat can occur. I’ve put almost $800 into getting this car ready to pass an emissions test so I can renew my license plate (which expired in November of 2018). Noticing a loud noise when driving. Your catalytic converter is responsible for turning those hazardous toxins into harmless gases, and if it breaks you could potentially fail emissions testing or experience engine damage. Ouch. Being told catalytic converters is expanding. The short answer is yes. Need to fix this to get the emission test completed. Before you send your car to the shop or decide to replace a potentially good converter, the following series of tests will help you troubleshoot the unit using some special but inexpensive tools. P2099 essentially means your car is running rich as detected by the O2 sensor. A vehicle purchase is a contract when there are valid signatures of both buyer and seller, with something of value changing hands. I took it to auto parts store and they put it on the scanner. It is most often caused by excess fuel entering the exhaust system due to an incorrect air/fuel mixture, bad spark plugs, incorrect engine timing, failed oxygen sensor, or other issues where fuel leaves the engine’s combustion chamber unburned. Hi I have a 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe. I remember there being a known problem causing the catalytic converter failure but can’t remember which years were affected. Made with ♥ in Silicon Valley. If you believe you simply have a dirty or clogged catalytic converter, adding a catalytic converter cleaner to your gas may help clear up the clog. During engine combustion, sulfur-containing gasoline becomes hydrogen sulfide. Without knowing the exact check engine light it’s hard to say, but generally catalytic converter codes are safe to drive on as long as there’s nothing obstructing the catalytic converter; a blocked catalytic converter could catch fire and is very dangerous! Please note... With With society being much more conscious about the environment and leaving as little footprint as possible, the exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) valve is more important than ever before. A qualified mechanic would have to scan the vehicle and check for broken up or rattling converter signifying its coming apart inside. Total cost of a catalytic converter replacement in these older cars will run you about $175 to $750. Can I try to just replace o2 sensor or should I get cat replaced? The driver will then know something is wrong, although they won’t know exactly what the problem is because the light can mean a lot of different things. The engine light came on so I took it to my dealer’s shop that I have been using for years. The second mechanic may have told you not to worry about the catalytic converter knowing the car is still safe to drive despite the fault it detected, especially if you live in an area that doesn’t do emissions testing. Does oxicat cleaner work on a partial clogged catalytic converter in a 325i bmw 2004. Rattling noises from under the vehicle are another symptom of a bad or failing catalytic converter. Now the car backfired and won’t stay running because it’s idling so rough . When the cat is bad, the conversion doesn’t take place so some of the unburnt gases containing the smelly hydrogen sulfide exit your exhaust. So go ahead and check your car’s airflow and if you detect a glowing red hot color on your converter, you should make immediate plans to replace it and sell us the scrap. The check engine light is an irritation for many drivers, but it gives you essential information about your car and shouldn't be ignored. Some higher end vehicles now have two cats in-line which further reduces harmful emissions gases. When you have a blockage in your catalytic converter, the lower airflow can cause your car to burn more fuel than it needs. If you keep it, you’ve already had a mechanic inspect the Jeep and (hopefully) most of the major issues fixed. If the computer detects that the catalytic converter is not operating correctly, or not catalyzing the exhaust gases properly, it will set off the Check Engine Light to alert the driver of the problem. I’m wondering what the possiblity of it actually being the cat and if the cost is worth replacing and if that will turn off the check engine light long enough to be tested. It depends. My Acura TL 2007 my malfunctioning indicator just came on what is the cause? What is the usual cause of this and can the average mechanic diagnose it and repair it? However, like almost any other part of your vehicle, over time, your catalytic converter can fail. A qualified mechanic would have to avoid worry about getting this fixed before it causes else... Control lights came on what bolt ( ‘s ) are not coming off where! 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