When I was 20 years old, I owned a Pontiac Trans Am. Of course, it was bright red because, at that age, I wanted something flashy. The car also had a loud dual exhaust system to announce my arrival (an important feature when you’re young).
But there was a problem—the Trans Am suffered from a slight misfire at idle. When I owned the car, I was an apprentice automotive technician who didn’t know much. So, in an attempt to fix the issue, I replaced a few parts, such as the spark plugs, but nothing I tried worked. I was too young and too green to have the diagnostic skills needed to remedy the concern.
Also, because the misfire was so minor, it didn’t trigger the check engine light. Consequently, I opted to ignore the problem—despite the fact that my car’s exhaust smelled like rotten eggs.
Ah, to be young and naive. I let the misfire go for several months and, eventually, it took out my catalytic converters.
You see, the thing with catalytic converters is that they often experience overheating and premature failure due to engine performance problems, such as a misfire.
The moral of the story is: Don’t ignore engine performance problems the way I did when I was younger. If you do, you may end up destroying your catalytic converters.
What are the Symptoms of a Bad Catalytic Converter?
Check engine light turns on
Usually, an illuminated check engine light is the first and only sign of a bad catalytic converter. When the light pops on, your car’s engine control module (ECM) will also store a diagnostic trouble code (often a P0420 code) in its memory.
Poor engine performance
In some cases, the catalytic converter may become clogged or restricted, creating excessive exhaust backpressure. That chokes the engine, leading to performance problems such as lack of power and stalling.
Car won’t start
If the catalytic converter is severely restricted, it can create enough exhaust backpressure to prevent the engine from starting.
Failed emissions test
A catalytic converter’s job is to clean up the harmful emissions your car’s engine produces. As such, a bad converter can easily cause your vehicle to fail a state emissions test.
What Does a Catalytic Converter Do?
The catalytic converter—also referred to as a “cat”—is an emissions control device that transforms hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide and oxides of nitrogen into harmless CO2 and water. All modern cars have one or more catalytic converters located in the exhaust system.
How does the catalytic converter work its magic? The device contains precious metals, such as platinum, that create a type of chemical reaction, called a catalyst. It’s this reaction that cleans up the toxic gases leaving your car’s engine.
It’s also worth noting that, typically, there are oxygen sensors located near both ends of the catalytic converter. Your car’s ECM monitors the sensor located near the converter’s outlet (referred to as the “downstream” oxygen sensor) to gauge the efficiency of the catalytic converter. If from the signal, the module determines that the cat isn’t doing its job, it will turn on the check engine light.
What to Do If You Think You Have a Faulty Catalytic Converter
A faulty catalytic converter is bad for the environment and, in some cases, it can cause engine performance problems. That means you should replace a faulty catalytic converter as soon as possible.
How to Replace a Catalytic Converter
Now we get to the fun part: catalytic converter replacement. Are you ready to grab some tools and get dirty? Good.
Although some catalytic converters are integrated with the exhaust manifold, we’re not going to cover that type of converter here. Nor are we going to discuss converters that are welded into place. Instead, we’re going to focus on bolt-in converters that are located between the exhaust manifold and exhaust pipe (or muffler).
Before we start, keep in mind that all vehicles are different. Be sure to follow the repair information for your specific application. Repair manuals, such as those from Chilton, are useful, but an ALLDATA subscription is even better.
ALLDATA has single-vehicle subscriptions for DIYers that provide detailed factory repair information.
The tools needed to replace a catalytic converter can vary, depending on what type of vehicle you have. But in general, you’ll need:
- Anti-seize
- Jack and jack stands
- Oxygen sensor wrench or socket (optional)
- Penetrating oil
- Pry bar and/or dead-blow hammer
- Ratchet, appropriate size sockets and wrenches
- Safety glasses or protective goggles
- Scan tool or code reader (optional)
- Torque wrench
Note: The following are general guidelines for educational and entertainment purposes only. Consult your vehicle’s factory information for specific repair instructions and recommended safety procedures.
How to Remove a Catalytic Converter
Exhaust components can get extremely rusty, so it’s a good idea to apply penetrating oil to all of the fasteners holding the converter and heat shield in place. The oxygen sensor threads should receive some penetrating oil as well. Let the oil soak in overnight before you start working on your car.
1. Put on your safety glasses or protective goggles. Make sure your eye protection wraps around the side of your face, as rust and debris from the exhaust can easily get in your eyes.
2. Safely raise and support the vehicle using a jack and jack stands. Chock the rear wheels and set the parking brake.
Warning: Make sure the engine and exhaust system are cool before proceeding. Do not service the exhaust system while it is still hot. Touching a hot exhaust can cause severe personal injury.
3. Disconnect the electrical connector(s) going to the oxygen sensor(s).
4. Remove the oxygen sensor(s) using the correct size oxygen sensor wrench. You can also choose to remove the sensor(s) once the converter is out of the vehicle, if that’s easier.
5. Remove the fasteners securing the heat shield. Then remove the heat shield.
6. Remove the fasteners securing the catalytic converter to the exhaust pipe.
Note: If the catalytic converter is large, you should support it and/or have an assistant help you steady it before removing the retaining fasteners.
7. Remove the fasteners securing the catalytic converter to the exhaust manifold.
8. Remove the catalytic converter from its rubber hanger(s).
9. Remove the catalytic converter and corresponding gaskets. Have an assistant help you if the converter is large. Also, if the converter is stubborn, you may need to gently pry it away from the other exhaust components or tap on it with a dead-blow hammer.
Note: If the catalytic converter fasteners don’t come loose or they break off during removal, you may need to bring your car to a professional for repair.
How to Install a Catalytic Converter
1. Compare the new catalytic converter to the old catalytic converter to ensure that they are the same design. Also, be sure that you know whether your vehicle is designed for California or Federal emissions (typically, this information is listed on a decal on the underside of the hood). The new converter must match your car’s emissions standards.
2. Apply a light coat of anti-seize to the threads of the oxygen sensor(s). Then, install the oxygen sensor(s) into the converter by hand. If possible, use a torque wrench to tighten the sensor to the manufacturer’s specification. It’s easy to damage the oxygen sensor threads, so be careful.
3. Clean the gasket mating surface on both the exhaust manifold and exhaust pipe.
4. Install a new gasket between the catalytic converter and exhaust manifold. Then, loosely install the bolts that secure the catalytic converter to the exhaust manifold. Do not tighten the bolts down completely at this time.
Note: If the catalytic converter is large, you should support it and/or have an assistant help you steady it during the installation process.
5. Install a new gasket between the catalytic converter and exhaust pipe. Use a torque wrench to tighten the converter-to-exhaust pipe fasteners to the manufacturer’s specification.
6. Use a torque wrench to tighten the converter-to-manifold fasteners to the manufacturer’s specification.
7. Push the catalytic converter back into the rubber hanger.
8. Reinstall the heat shield. Use a torque wrench to tighten the retaining fasteners to the manufacturer’s specification.
9. Reconnect the electrical connector(s) going to the oxygen sensor(s).
10. Safely remove the jack stands and lower the vehicle.
11. Use a scan tool or code reader to clear any diagnostic trouble codes set by the original catalytic converter. If you don’t clear the codes, you will have to wait for the control module to run its system self-tests before the check engine light will extinguish.
Many experts recommend that new catalytic converters undergo a “break-in” procedure. According to the publication, Auto Service Professional, to break-in a converter you should:
- Start the engine and let it idle.
- Allow the engine to reach its normal operating temperature, then let it idle for five minutes.
- Increase the idle speed to 2,500 rpm and hold it there for two minutes.
- Allow the engine to cool down.
Catalytic Converter Replacement Cost
Catalytic converters are expensive. If you decide to have a professional replace your catalytic converter, expect to pay anywhere from around $500 to upwards of $2,000. Exactly how much the job costs will depend on many factors, including the type of vehicle you have.
Should you decide to tackle the job yourself, expect to pay anywhere from approximately $100 to over $1,000 for a replacement catalytic converter. Once again, exactly how much the part may cost will depend on many factors, including the type of vehicle you have.
Sometimes, you’ll find universal catalytic converters that are relatively inexpensive. The problem is, typically, those components have to be welded or clamped into place, and that makes replacement a lot more difficult.
Stick with a direct-fit converter—you’ll be happy you did.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long can you drive with a bad catalytic converter?
The answer depends on how the converter failed. If the converter is clogged, it can create enough backpressure to cause your engine to run rough, stall, and lack power (obviously, you can’t continue to drive like that). In some cases, the problem can even be severe enough to prevent your car from starting.
On the other hand, if the catalytic converter is worn out but not clogged, technically, you could keep driving for a long time.
How do you unclog a catalytic converter?
There is an array of products and methods that claim to unclog a plugged-up catalytic converter. And while some of these approaches may work, many of them will not. The only foolproof way to address the problem of a clogged catalytic converter is to replace it with a new one.
How long does a catalytic converter last?
In many cases, a catalytic converter will last the life of the vehicle, as long as the engine is properly maintained. Typically, you can expect to get at least 10 years out of nearly all catalytic converters.
How much does a catalytic converter cost?
The cost of replacing a catalytic converter will vary, depending on the year, make, and model of the vehicle. On average, however, you can expect to pay between $500 to upwards of $2,000 to have a professional replace your car’s catalytic converter.
Where to Get a New Catalytic Converter for Your Vehicle
You can drive your car around all day with a bad catalytic converter, but you can expect sluggish performance from your engine until you fix the issue. Don’t put off having to replace a bad catalytic converter, and order a top-notch replacement here at CarParts.com as soon as possible.
We have a great selection of OE-grade cat-cons that passed the highest quality control standards from the most trusted names in the industry. Our catalytic converters are built to match your vehicle’s specifications, taking the guesswork out of finding one that fits right in.
On hand and ready to ship, our cat-cons are built using only the finest materials available, so you can rest assured that you’re getting one that’s built to last. Find the right cat-con for your ride in a matter of minutes. Enter your vehicle’s year, make, and model into our vehicle selector to start browsing our catalog, and use the search filters to narrow down the results according to your preferences.
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Products Mentioned in this Guide
Catalytic Converter
Oxygen Sensor
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