2000 Tacoma 4x4 SR5 TRD 3.4L 132,000 miles.

Well, my catalytic converter is kaput. The mechanic wants to charge me a buttload to do a test to see which cat needs replacing.
Question #1. Is there a way I can tell which cat is bad myself?

To replace the front cat, $732 plus labor. To replace the rear, $900+. I ask the guy why couldn't get a $90 cat and bolt it in myself. He tells me that I would fail my Smog test if I ran an aftermarket cat.
Question #2. Is this guy full of crap? I see cats online that are California legal all the time.

I think I am gettin' a bit of a pooch screwin from these guys honestly. Thanks for the help.

Ryan

 

ok first off, why does your cat need to be replaced. it seems funny the mechanic would try to find which cat needs replacing cuz im not sure how you would do it with both cats being inline with an o2 sensor after the last 1.

this mechanic is obviously not the toyota dealer. the cats are together on the same pipe from the factory so he isnt going to use factory parts if he gave you a price for them separatly.

he is kinda right about the aftermarket cat. you could do it but you need to find a cat that is just right for this system. some might be too small and might get red hot, others might be to big and not get hot enough to burn the gases, which would result in you failing emissions.

THE SOLUTION: if you want it done right with no problems i suggest you go to a toyota dealer and buy the pipe and both cats as they come(together) it will be expensive im sure, but there will be no problems.

SOLUTION #2: you could find a moderatly sized aftermarket cat and have a custom muffler shop install it. i would say 90% chance of you passing emissions with it, it just might not last as long as stock

 

Ah, one of those things that might have been nice to know.

CEL on: 0420. One week later, CEL 0171. Took her in the shop. I ask for new cat. They tell me it probably isnt the cat. Likely O2. Alot cheaper to fix. Replaced O2. One week later, CEL 0420 again. Now they tell me "Yeah, Its probably the cat."

Ryan

 

probably the cat??? go to the dealer im sure every tech in there has seen that code and knows exactly what you need to fix it. why waste time and money and have someone install crappy non dealer parts that they "think" will fix it.

 

Mechanic tells me, "Ya know, They aint' givin these things away."

These guys have always been straight with me and my wife. Now we get all the crappy service all of a sudden. I guess I will make a trip out to the dealership nearby and ask whats up. Thanks for the help.

RYan

 

no problem, i work for a nissan dealer and seeing the same things over and over again help big time. especially when you have 4 or 5 ppl around you who also have seen it. it all comes down to an accurate diag. with factory parts. good luck.

 

That's what I'd do, except in CA you may need to get two of them. Not sure how strict the tests are there, but this took care of my P0420: http://www.urdusa.com/product_info.p...s_id=120000008

I'm running one $60 Carsound cat and was getting a P0420 every other day before the simulator. Haven't gotten one since. (2001 Tacoma ECU)

 

Car-sound makes direct fit and universal cats.... but they dont list Cal apps...

You should be fine with a much cheaper aftermaket cat thou...

 

I had a new cat put in at a local muffler shop for about $250. Its certified for obd2. If your near the stockton area the shop that did it for me was Cherokee muffler & radiator. (209)462-2610 ask for AJ

 

Awesome son209! I am about 30 min from Stockton and I work there at least twice a week. Who manufactured your replacement cat? I am considering a magnaflow.

Ryan

 

I don't remember but on my 4runner I had him replace mine with no problems and I just got it smoged last week and it pass with flying colors. And also my 4runner only has one cat so I don't know if your's is the same.

 

Magnaflow makes good stuff, what do you mean by OBDII certified? The computer isn't going to know any difference if you put a different brand cat in the exhaust, the rear O2 will just be making sure the emissions from it are up to par...

 

I know that car-sound (magnaflow) doesnt list any applications for toyotas for OBDII cali rigs, why I dont know. I just put one of their cats on my 92, cheap, well built, and good flow...... try it.. heck you have two I doubt you fail emissions...

 

If you have OBDII do they actually sniff your vehicle in Cali, when I lived in Arizona I had a 96 Mustang with Ported heads, LT headers, Cams, oversized valves, larger injectors, borla catback, x-pipe with 2 high flow cats, aftermarket intake, 12.4:1 compression and a aftermarket chip with a custom dyno tune written on it. When I went loping into the emissions facility all the guys did was pop my hood for a quick second, plug their computer in under my dash, scan for any codes, do a gas cap check and sent me on my way without actually sniffing the vehicle. I don't think they actually looked under my car to see if the cats were there or not, since I had OBDII they just rely on the emissions control of the computer in AZ. Now in Colorado Springs we don't have any emissions as of the 1st of this year!