Catalytic Converter Replacement Instructions?

Tiny
SMBANGER
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  • 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 114,000 MILES
I want to know how to my catalytic converter can you help me please?
Sunday, February 21st, 2010 AT 8:58 PM

34 Replies

Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
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Hello,

Here is a guide to help you step by step on how to replace the cat converter with instruction in the diagrams below to show you how on your car.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/catalytic-converter-replacement

Check out the diagrams (Below). Please let us know if you need anything else to get the problem fixed.

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Sunday, February 21st, 2010 AT 8:59 PM
Tiny
BROWNJONETTA
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  • 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY
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I have received a quote to replace cat coverter for $650. Is that a reasonable price?

Thanks
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Thursday, April 9th, 2020 AT 12:41 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RICHZOMBIE
  • MECHANIC
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That does sound like a normal price, but if you go with an aftermarket type converter it would be cheaper. The only problem with that is sometimes the mechanics may have to do some extra cutting and welding to get it on right. It is best to go with what you were quoted with factory converter.
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Thursday, April 9th, 2020 AT 12:41 PM (Merged)
Tiny
BROWNJONETTA
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Thanks

Would the converter need to be replace if the state inspection passes for cayalytic converter and passes for oxygen sensor?
The inspection failed for MIL commanded-on with a code P0420 for Catalyst System Efficiency Below Threshold (Bank 1).
Thanks
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Thursday, April 9th, 2020 AT 12:41 PM (Merged)
Tiny
FISHGUARDBOY
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  • 4 CYL
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My car has been making a bot of extra noise. A few weeks ago, my mechanic diagnosed that the front pipe (which I guess includes a small catalytic converter) needs to be replaced. Not urgent. Then the check engine light went on. Seems now the main catalytic converter needs to be replaced. He's an honest guy I've gone to for years. He quoted $2K for the front pipe and catalytic converter. Seem reasonable?
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Thursday, April 9th, 2020 AT 12:42 PM (Merged)
Tiny
DSPLC
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Try checking the dealer first. My friend just changed his catalytic converter without the front pipes at the dealer. Original Catalytic converter cost $800.00 plus $200 in installation. I don't know how much is the front pipes.

I just checked the dealer's price for the front pipes. $875.00

So your $2k cost is about right as long as your mechanic installs original Toyota parts.
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Thursday, April 9th, 2020 AT 12:42 PM (Merged)
Tiny
TENDICOTT
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I took my car to be smogged. It failed and I was told the the catalytic converter needed to be replaced. They put some fluid on the top to try in clean out the converter to get it to pass; but that did not work. I heard that if the converter was bad there is usually a bad egg smell, which I have not experienced this. Could there be something else wrong. When I asked about the cost of the part the mechanic stated $300 to $1200; would this be correct?
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Thursday, April 9th, 2020 AT 12:42 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
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Causes Of Converter Failures

Fouling, clogging, melt-down and breakage of the ceramic substrate inside a converter are common conditions that can cause problems. Plugging is usually the end result of a melt-down, which occurs because the converter gets too hot. This happens because the engine is dumping unburned fuel into the exhaust. The excess fuel lights off inside the converter and sends temperatures soaring. If it gets hot enough, the ceramic substrate that carries the catalyst melts.
The unburned fuel may be getting into the exhaust because of a bad spark plug or valve, but an overly rich air/fuel mixture is another possibility. In older carbureted engines, a heavy or misadjusted carburetor float may be the underlying cause. But on newer engines with "feedback" carburetion or electronic fuel injection, the engine may not be going into "closed loop" (the normal mode where the computer regulates the air/fuel mixture to minimize emissions).
A bad oxygen sensor or coolant sensor may be giving the computer bogus information. A sluggish or dead O2 sensor will make the computer think the exhaust is running lean, so the computer will try to compensate by making the fuel mixture rich. A coolant sensor that always indicates a cold engine will also keep the system in open loop, which means a steady diet of excess fuel. But it might not be the sensor's fault. A thermostat that's stuck open or is too cold for the application can prevent the engine from reaching its normal operating temperature. So if your converter has failed and needs to be replaced, the engine should be diagnosed for any underlying problems before the new converter is installed.
Another cause of converter clogging and contamination is excessive oil consumption. Worn valve guides or seals can allow oil to be sucked into the engine's combustion chambers. The same goes for worn or damaged rings or cylinders. Oil can form a great deal of carbon, and metals present in the oil can contaminate the catalyst. A compression check or leak-down test will tell you if the rings are leaking, while a fluttering vacuum gauge needle will help you identify worn valve guides
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Thursday, April 9th, 2020 AT 12:42 PM (Merged)
Tiny
CRONKROTSKY
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How many catalytic converters does my car have. How do you test them to see if they need replacement?
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Thursday, April 9th, 2020 AT 12:42 PM (Merged)
Tiny
OBXAUTOMEDIC
  • MECHANIC
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Hello,

Here is a guide to help you test the catalytic converter on your car. There are two converters one is bolted the exhaust manifold and the other is under the car about midway.

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

Please let us know if you need anything else to get the problem fixed.

Cheers
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Thursday, April 9th, 2020 AT 12:42 PM (Merged)
Tiny
CRONKROTSKY
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Thank you I love this site!
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Thursday, April 9th, 2020 AT 12:42 PM (Merged)
Tiny
OBXAUTOMEDIC
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Use 2CarPros anytime, we are here to help. Please tell a friend.

Cheers

.
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Thursday, April 9th, 2020 AT 12:42 PM (Merged)
Tiny
SANDEEP30469
  • MEMBER
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  • 2000 TOYOTA CAMRY
I have a 2000 Camry I4(99K mi, Made in Japan)which was running absolutely fine, until one day the catalytic converter (flex pipe) was broken because of rust. I got it replaced at a local shop they charged 550. The car ran fine for a week.I used to smell like something was burning and eventually the check engine light came on. I went back to them and they told me that the pipe they installed might have been bad and removed and replaced it with a new one. After one week the CEL came on again with a low catalytic conversion error code(same error as last time).I went back to them and they checked it and told me everything is fine and it is just that "stupid light is on". I argued with them and then they tell me that it is a CA emissions Camry and it has one more cat converter (front cat) that needs replacement and gave me a $400 estimate. My question here is does my car really have a front converter other than the one that is at the bottom which they replaced or are these guys just ripping me off. The car drives fine right now with no difference in the fuel consumption.I went to the dealer they told me the code was related to the cat conversion and suggested me to go back to the shop who installed it. The local shop suggests me to install the front cat for the light to go off.

1) Should I replace the front cat by paying 400?
2) Can I drive with the light on for another two to three months and then replace it. Does it harm my car in any way if I replace it after 3 months.

Please help me. Your suggestion is very valuable to me.

Thanks,
Sandeep.
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Thursday, April 9th, 2020 AT 12:42 PM (Merged)
Tiny
LOSTINMARS
  • MECHANIC
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Yes it has 2 cats.
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Thursday, April 9th, 2020 AT 12:42 PM (Merged)
Tiny
SANDEEP30469
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Thanks a lot lostinmars for the reply :D. Can I just drive the car with the front cat not working properly. Will it damage anything else in the car because of this.
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Thursday, April 9th, 2020 AT 12:42 PM (Merged)
Tiny
LOSTINMARS
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I guess you "could" drive it but I would replace them.
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Thursday, April 9th, 2020 AT 12:42 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JUXHINW
  • MEMBER
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I have a 2000 Camry and the CEL came on recently.
I took the car to Toyota dealer and was told this car has California Emissions and its two converters need to be replaced. The Toyota service center gave me the following estimates:

1. Front converter pipe - $1028
2. Manifold converter - 320

Does anybody know of any alternative auto-part center/manufacturer that sells the above two parts or any one of them?

Thanks, Eugene
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Thursday, April 9th, 2020 AT 12:42 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MALLINARC
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  • 2000 TOYOTA CAMRY
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I have 2000 Toyota Camry and 1998 Nissan Altima. I live in Michigan and these cars are bought new in Michigan. I am moving to California very soon.

My question is, Do I have to install any special catalytic converter on these cars to meet California emission standards?

So far the cars don't have any problem with smell or anything, since I don't find proper subject to match my question I used "smell" as subject.

Thanks in advance
Mallinarc.
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Thursday, April 9th, 2020 AT 12:43 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MHPAUTOS
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Hi there, I feel that you should not have to worry about anything as long as the cat is working and you have no emission issues.

Mark (mhpautos)
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Thursday, April 9th, 2020 AT 12:43 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MALLINARC
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Thanks
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Thursday, April 9th, 2020 AT 12:43 PM (Merged)

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