I purchased a 2000 LS 400 with a 113,000 miles, I put 1,000 miles on it since September and just learned the catalytic converter is no longer good. Because of the age of the car in Mass, I can still get a sticker. I've put a few bucks into this car and wonder if I should drive it anyway or sell it? I've had varying opinions from mechanics about driving the car as it is from it could create engine damage to not to worry. I don't want to have to replace the converter. This would be my daily driver but I have another car that is newer that I would keep if I were to sell this car I'm attached to this beautiful Lexus. Please chime in and share what you feel I should do.

 

First thing I would do is to doubt the diagnosis. Why do you (they) think the cat is bad? If it is only due to a code, I'd explore reasons that would throw a false code in that situation.

BTW, I'd approach almost any diagnosis like this, but particularly one for a failed cat. If you search (all the intertubes, for all cars), you'll find many cases where cats were replaced with no improvement in the "problem."

 

I wanted to take the time to thank you for your response. It has prompted me to investigate further or rather my mechanic.

best
Albert

 

The cats are pretty robust but if the fuel ratio has been running rich for a long time the possibility of damage may be there. As oldskewel mentions, investigate further by getting an codes that may be stored. My thoughts are the coolant temp sensor along with O2 sensors. What MPG is the car getting?

 

I'm getting between 14 and 16 MPG.

 

Some supplemental reading:
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/ls-...read-this.html
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/ls-...ange-pics.html

 

you will know if you have a fried cat. The car tends to run like ***..I was getting a cat warning from a bad O2 sensor and a misfire. If you dont mind getting your hands dirty, get down there and pull the cats off if they arent too rusted on. You will quicly see if they have melted or are clogged.

I would not kick the car out for a bad cat. I replaced mine with low density racing cats for 180 aud. But I do have a welder.

 

And here I clicked on this because I thought it was a bad Torque Converter.

 

So did I lol. Anyway what codes is it throwing. If P0420 or P0430 you might just have an exhaust leak at the flanges or the Y-pipe has holes. I just used some exhaust cement on the flags and no more codes.