inspector1

Hoping someone can point me in the right direction. Check engine light came on and Toyota said it shows a bad catalytic converter code.....is this something that is fairly easy to replace? any how to's information....and where should I buy this to save a few bucks....everyone here seems to be diy'ers and interested in saving a few bucks from expensive dealership repairs.

Have 00 ls400 and need to due several pieces of work.

Thanks much

William

steveski

First I am surprised they are bad on your car as I have a 95 with originals (208,000 miles). Second, didn't know you'd get an idiot light for a catalytic converter - O2 sensor sure though.

However, if it is the main catalytic converters (2) that attach to the headers (manifolds), they are fairly easy to get to by removing a few bolts. You can easily see the uninstall/install if you jack it up. They are small in size - about 1/2 the size of your mufflers. You should call Carson Toyota to get pricing on OEM since they will likely be cheaper than aftermarket. My local muffler shop says you won't see a big difference in high flows - at least not worth the extra money. It is nice he is not willing to just take my money - he is honest enough to give his opinion.

If you are not a DIY guy then I would buy them and take them to a muffler shop - can't see them charging you more than $75 to install as it cost me that to have my mufflers welded on.

inspector1

Steveski, thanks. Well, that is what the service tech from Toyota said to me. However, what do they use to test such a light? Is there a tool i can use to diagnose various computer related issues?

Thanks much

PK_Celsior

iTrader: (18)

My 1995 LS400 had the check engine light for bad cats. i currently have 195k miles on my car. my lexus friend use the obd II reader to pull up the errors. i got discounted pricing at lexus and its going to cost you a hefty penny. since they dont just sell the cats they sell the whole piping . mine was priced at 1200. the cheapest i found at the dealer was 1k. but other than that its pretty easy to install

LiCelsior

iTrader: (32)

should go for a performance cat instead..cheaper and a bit better.

PureDrifter

iTrader: (10)

actually the OEM cats are metal substrate which (when new at least) flow better than most aftermarket cats and work better (and are also a lot more expensive)

LiCelsior

iTrader: (32)

show off........................i could re do my whole exhaust with a grand lol.

PureDrifter

iTrader: (10)

...i redid mine for a LOT less

LiCelsior

iTrader: (32)

i didnt mean the whole grand ugh..shoulda word it differently.

Neofate

iTrader: (1)

If you can do it yourself you can 'upgrade' right now -- Exhaust isn't difficult to replace,.. it just is ALOT easier on a lift,.. and with the right tools (cutting devices) , impact wrenches etc.

Personally I would just get from headers (after headers) back to tips aftermarket. Bring it to a regular exhaust shop and have them cut the old, put in the new.

This will keep you under a grand, and you'll have much prettier, better sounding, more fuel efficient (hopefully), and more horsepower than the stock exhaust.

In other words, getting only the Cats done at the dealership (despite if its part of a larger piping) -- Is going to cost you much more than a complete aftermarket Cat-back (only including cats this time) system aftermarket at an indie exhaust shop -- (as opposed to the dealer) .

So start shopping for exhaust, .. exhaust doesn't automatically mean 'loud', 'unruly' or 'ugly and non factory looking'. You can get aftermarket that looks indentical to your current exhaust and is just as quiet.. (but flows a tiny bit better).