Hey Guys-

My cats are making some rattling sounds when I rev the engine and at certain rpm's while driving. When I had the car at the shop recently the tech was knocking on them while the car was on the lift and you could hear crap banging around inside of them (like pebbles in a tin can).

My car has about 95K and I was wondering if they will need replacing?? If so how much should I expect to pay for new one's?? Where to buy (Carson, Sewell)??

Thanks in advance for the replies, and if anyone wishes to chime in with their experiences it would be helpful.

Doug

 

I have the same thing in my SC300 and would like to know also

I have rattling but I'm not sure if it's from the cat or from the heat shield coming loose. I would like to replace it since it's so damn old.

 

Can you please move this thread to the GS 3/4 forums for more feedback??

D

 

I don't have access to my owner's manual right now, but you may want to check the federally mandated warranty on the emissions equipment. It's much, much longer than the factory basic/powetrain/corrosion warranties. I *believe* it's 100K miles or so. Check it out before you go and buy new cats. Good luck.

 

If there is stuff caught in there then just empty it out - save u having to replace it. Alternatively - time for hi-flo cats

Jonny

 

I don't think California regulations allow hi-flow cats

 

I am not sure about California, but here in Mexico City (has California standards) you can replace with a high flow cat.

I recently replace my 3rd cat (underneath car) with a Magnaflow high flow cat and MPG was up 2. I had a gas analysis performed (since emissions tests are not obligatory for non-local cars) and the car would pass under local standards.

I replaced it after suffering a bump on the cat from a piece of road debris.

Pemex gas is very high in sulfur so I worry about my cats.

 

What are the options for a GS300 99' when it comes to replace CAT-CON? Where can I buy it?
Thank you,

 

Go to Summitracing.com and buy a universal cat.....Magnaflow or some other brand I can't remember the name. Good luck

 

I believe Magnaflow makes a high-flow cat that is CARB legal.

 

AZDesert,

Could you please specify the exact cat-con that will fit my 99 GS300? I am really not sure at all what to pick? I plan to call them tomorrow as well. Thanks a bunch!

 

You'll need Part# 91005 by Magnaflow....13" with 2 1/4 inlet/outlet. Not sure how many you need though but you can take a look under the car and check it out. Good luck. Here is the site and also the link to summit to buy.

http://www.car-sound.com/catalog/universal/910.aspx

You can purchase it from below:

http://www.summitracing.com/ then type in MPE-91005 in the search bar. $53.95 a piece

 

Log story short, after many posts and questions to other members about this Cat-Con issue. Today, I went to have my new tires installed, while the car was on the lift I asked the tech to check it for me (non-lexus Tech), he checked the CAT and used this hight tech tune (a pear of plyers) and start bendig down the welding sim of the heat-shield. The rattling noise stopped!

Reason: the heat-shield came loose after 120,000 miles (naturally) due to normal rust/wear and tear, but ONLY the heat-shield which wrapping around the stainless steal CAT-CON to prevent the intense heat from coming up/through the cabin. So by "squizzing" the "wrapper" (heat-shield), this makes all the loosen parts inside the heat-shield to stop moving around, therefore the noise/rattling stops also.

Result: save myself $1,000 from Lexus' price quote to REPLACE a brand new CAT just to stop the noise. Very happy!

I'm sorry if i'm not explaining this very well, But I don't really know how to explain it without pointing at the part Anyone has a picture of the bottom of their car, send to me and I'll point out where and what the non-lexus Tech did. Some of you who may be offended by me letting the NON-Lexus-Tech touchig your Lexus, I am sorry But it works!