How much is labor on replacing Catalytic Converter
#1
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How much is labor on replacing Catalytic Converter
My car has been running great with no issues, but I took it in for regular 6 month check up and received unexpected news. I have a 02' ES300 that I was told needs a catalytic converter because of a code that came up. He said that to pass inspection this code would have to clear. I haven't spoke to my mechanic yet, but he left me a message saying that I needed it and it would cost about $985. I called Lexus to get the part number, thinking that aftermarket would be the way to go to lower cost; but they said it's only $349.92. So, how much work goes into replacing this thing. Is it $635 worth of work.
As an afterthought: What's the purpose of a Catalytic converter?
As an afterthought: What's the purpose of a Catalytic converter?
#2
Lexus Test Driver
My car has been running great with no issues, but I took it in for regular 6 month check up and received unexpected news. I have a 02' ES300 that I was told needs a catalytic converter because of a code that came up. He said that to pass inspection this code would have to clear. I haven't spoke to my mechanic yet, but he left me a message saying that I needed it and it would cost about $985. I called Lexus to get the part number, thinking that aftermarket would be the way to go to lower cost; but they said it's only $349.92. So, how much work goes into replacing this thing. Is it $635 worth of work.
As an afterthought: What's the purpose of a Catalytic converter?
As an afterthought: What's the purpose of a Catalytic converter?
An aftermarket Cat would cost anywhere from $150-$400.
Labour is less than 1 hour.
#3
So it wasn't an issue when you brought the car in, but thankfully the code just happen to be thrown while the car was getting a check up?
I think you're getting hosed, and just because that code is thrown doesn't necessarily mean it automatically needs a new catalytic converter. It could be several other issues, like an exhaust leak or simply need a new O2 sensor.
The whole thing sounds fishy to me, I'd get a second opinion.
$1000 is also high for that job, that's close to what a Lexus dealer would charge. You could probably have a muffler shop weld in an aftermarket converter and be out the door for under $200.
I think you're getting hosed, and just because that code is thrown doesn't necessarily mean it automatically needs a new catalytic converter. It could be several other issues, like an exhaust leak or simply need a new O2 sensor.
The whole thing sounds fishy to me, I'd get a second opinion.
$1000 is also high for that job, that's close to what a Lexus dealer would charge. You could probably have a muffler shop weld in an aftermarket converter and be out the door for under $200.
#4
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If there is a "cat" problem, the code will always be on, which in turn would light up your Check Engine Light. Do you have a check engine light?
If you do, find another shop to scan it for you.
Lastly, I have a few questions for you.
Where did you go to get a check up? How many miles are on your '02 ES? How long have you owned the car for? Do you do a lot of short trips(less than 10 miles)? And finally, what kind of maitenance have you done and how often do you service the car?
If you do, find another shop to scan it for you.
Lastly, I have a few questions for you.
Where did you go to get a check up? How many miles are on your '02 ES? How long have you owned the car for? Do you do a lot of short trips(less than 10 miles)? And finally, what kind of maitenance have you done and how often do you service the car?
#5
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If there is a "cat" problem, the code will always be on, which in turn would light up your Check Engine Light. Do you have a check engine light?
If you do, find another shop to scan it for you.
Lastly, I have a few questions for you.
Where did you go to get a check up? How many miles are on your '02 ES? How long have you owned the car for? Do you do a lot of short trips(less than 10 miles)? And finally, what kind of maitenance have you done and how often do you service the car?
If you do, find another shop to scan it for you.
Lastly, I have a few questions for you.
Where did you go to get a check up? How many miles are on your '02 ES? How long have you owned the car for? Do you do a lot of short trips(less than 10 miles)? And finally, what kind of maitenance have you done and how often do you service the car?
#6
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The CEL can be easily turned off on Lexus cars, and it doesn't cost "a lot of money" as the shop told you. It's just a matter of clicking "Erase All Codes" on the same scanner that they use to retrieve the code from the computer. So that concerns me. Auto Zone can scan the code for you, free of charge, but they won't erase it.
What you need to do is find out what the code is. It's a letter followed by four numbers, such as P1153 (as an example). This will give us some clues as to where the problem really is. Of course as the saying goes, one test result is worth one thousand expert opinions. So going to another shop for a diagnosis is your best bet.
The reason I asked you about short trips is because that is one of the primary reasons for TWC(Three Way Converter) failures.
Here is a good video explaining cat failures.
What you need to do is find out what the code is. It's a letter followed by four numbers, such as P1153 (as an example). This will give us some clues as to where the problem really is. Of course as the saying goes, one test result is worth one thousand expert opinions. So going to another shop for a diagnosis is your best bet.
The reason I asked you about short trips is because that is one of the primary reasons for TWC(Three Way Converter) failures.
Here is a good video explaining cat failures.
#7
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My car has been running great with no issues, but I took it in for regular 6 month check up and received unexpected news. I have a 02' ES300 that I was told needs a catalytic converter because of a code that came up. He said that to pass inspection this code would have to clear. I haven't spoke to my mechanic yet, but he left me a message saying that I needed it and it would cost about $985. I called Lexus to get the part number, thinking that aftermarket would be the way to go to lower cost; but they said it's only $349.92. So, how much work goes into replacing this thing. Is it $635 worth of work.
As an afterthought: What's the purpose of a Catalytic converter?
As an afterthought: What's the purpose of a Catalytic converter?
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07-30-09 09:38 PM