Toyota 4Runner 2000

SOOLOO

MEMBER
2000 TOYOTA 4RUNNER

The check engine light came on recently in our 200 4Runner with 103,000 miles. No problems with the car. Long road trip coming up, had the light checked at the dealer. Told we need 2 new catalytic converters and both O2 snesors to the tune of $2500! Does this sound right? The car seems fine. Any alternatives? What about non-Toyota catalytic converters? I was told we will fail emissions-not due until May. Will we damamge the car by driving it?

Friday, November 17th, 2006 AT 8:20 PM

2 Replies

BACKYARDMECHANIC

MECHANIC
337 POSTS

Dear Sooloo,
Sounds to me the dealer is attempting to fix the problem by changing things that
COULD be the problem. You say the car runs fine and there are no other symptoms. If the cats were bad you should (not Always) have some type of sign. Do they get hotter than normal. The way you would know is you would probably feel the heat generated by them through the floor board. Also check them in the dark after the car is warmed up and see if they glow (cherry red). These are both signs of the cats being clogged but you should also have poor engine performance. If you don't have these signs theycould still be badThe o2 senors could be tested with a tester if you have one. If I had to change one or the other I would change the o2 senors first because they are cheaper to replace and more likely to go bad than the cats.
Hope this helps :) Backyardmechanic[/b]

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Saturday, November 18th, 2006 AT 5:42 PM

SOOLOO

MEMBER
2 POSTS

Thanks for your reply.
I plan to take the car to a different Toyota dealer and see what they say. It certainly seems like I have nothing to lose by changing the O2 sensors first and then see what happens. Sounds logical--and like you said, a lot cheaper!
I appreciate the help.

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Sunday, November 19th, 2006 AT 6:14 PM