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How many Catalytic Converters does this car have?

Tiny
COOLMYGUY
  • MEMBER
  • 2016 BUICK VERANO
  • 2.4L
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 150,000 MILES
Fairly straight forward question, but I can't seem to verify online if this car has a front and rear catalytic converter r just the rear. My check engine light came on for it and found this part online: https://www.ebay.com/itm/304540824281?mkevt=1&mkpid=0&emsid=e11051.m43.l1123&mkcid=26&ch=osgood&euid=175e849e9a3e4c648a5239a52225c5e6&bu=44124574724&osub=-1%7E1&crd=20230215141656&segname=11051 , however the seller also has this one: https://www.ebay.com/itm/304540825868?hash=item46e80c390c:g:W1MAAOSwllZitJqc#vi-desc-maincntr and I don't know which I should get.
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Friday, February 24th, 2023 AT 9:05 PM

5 Replies

Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 42,949 POSTS
Hello,

So, you have 2 catalytic converters. The primary converter is bolted to the exhaust manifold which is what they call a 3-way cat and a secondary cat which is down from the head pipe in the exhaust system. Here are the instructions on how to change them and their locations as well, can I ask what kind of problem you are having? Check out the images (below). Let us know what happens and please upload pictures or videos of the problem. Also, if you have codes, please include them so I can tell you which catalytic converter you need.
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Saturday, February 25th, 2023 AT 12:26 PM
Tiny
COOLMYGUY
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Of course! Thank you so much, and the code I'm getting is P0420.
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Saturday, February 25th, 2023 AT 1:52 PM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
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Yep, that is a catalytic converter inefficacy code. I just wanted to make sure we were headed in the right direction.
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Monday, February 27th, 2023 AT 8:05 AM
Tiny
COOLMYGUY
  • MEMBER
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Perfect, any way for me to determine on my own which one is bad?
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Monday, February 27th, 2023 AT 9:42 AM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 42,949 POSTS
You can do a temperature test which is the only way, they like to replace the cats as a unit. This guide can show you how. The code just tells of the problem they don't say which one it is.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-test-a-catalytic-converter

Please go over this guide and report back.
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Tuesday, February 28th, 2023 AT 10:20 AM

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