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Cost and value of fixing catlytic converter

Tiny
LUDDY27
  • MEMBER
  • 2002 SATURN L300
  • 15,000 MILES
Took my 2002 L300 in because of surging acceleration and hard idling. Found out the rear converter is clogged/collapsed. Mechanic said approx. $1700 to remove and replace. A few questions. Is that worth it? Is that a high estimate? Should I/can I do it myself for cheaper? How difficult is it to replace? I only need it to run for a few more months until I can get a new car. So I am not looking for a long term fix. Just a patch.
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Monday, January 30th, 2012 AT 5:26 PM

18 Replies

Tiny
PROAUTOTECH
  • MECHANIC
  • 288 POSTS
Some peple will cut open the bottom of the cat, take out the debris and then bandage it back up. That's pretty ghetto and I believe illegal. Shop around, try one of those budget muffler shops.
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Monday, January 30th, 2012 AT 5:32 PM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,869 POSTS
Yeah thats totally againist law and we cant give advise that breaks the law. So is it the last cat not one of the manifold cats?What state do you live in?
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Monday, January 30th, 2012 AT 5:38 PM
Tiny
LUDDY27
  • MEMBER
  • 8 POSTS
All I was told was that it was a clog in the rear catalytic converter preventing exhaust from leaving the system. I figure if I can find the part I can just patch it.
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Monday, January 30th, 2012 AT 5:45 PM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,869 POSTS
http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/moreinfo.php?pk=1528638

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Monday, January 30th, 2012 AT 5:46 PM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,869 POSTS
http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/moreinfo.php?pk=1317276

which of the two i posted do you need both of these cats are under 300 and bolt right in.If you dont live in california then they will work on your car.
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Monday, January 30th, 2012 AT 5:48 PM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,869 POSTS
Go back to the place and have them point it out to you then match it up on the www. Rockauto. Com website. As long as you dont libe in california.
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Monday, January 30th, 2012 AT 5:51 PM
Tiny
LUDDY27
  • MEMBER
  • 8 POSTS
I believe it is the first one.I live in Minnesota so no worries on the emission stuff.I will make sure to get a copy of the diagnostic report and have them show me exactly which one it is. But this is something I can fix on the cheap for patchwork purposes to get me thru the winter?
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Monday, January 30th, 2012 AT 6:05 PM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,869 POSTS
The first one is 262 plus shipping and the second one is like 160 something plus shipping. They bolt in with some 13mm bolts you can reuse the metal gaskets I have reused them many times. Its a easy install the price you were given was insane if it was one of those two cats. Let me know how it goes.
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Monday, January 30th, 2012 AT 6:30 PM
Tiny
LUDDY27
  • MEMBER
  • 8 POSTS
I checked back to make sure he said the rear converter. Made it sound like it is the canister behind the Y joint of the first picture. Will I need to replace the whole unit or just that portion?
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Monday, January 30th, 2012 AT 7:22 PM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,869 POSTS
It will come as a whole unit that bolts up I ti place I would take the car back over and have them point it out to you. Let me know how it goes.
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Monday, January 30th, 2012 AT 8:49 PM
Tiny
LUDDY27
  • MEMBER
  • 8 POSTS
I told them to put it back together and I am going to pick it up this evening. He will be providing me a copy of the diagnostic report and point of the point of the clog.I will follow up on this thread when I get that info in hand. Thanks for the insights
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Monday, January 30th, 2012 AT 10:21 PM
Tiny
LUDDY27
  • MEMBER
  • 8 POSTS
The mechanic pointed to out that it for sure is the 1st photo and the clog is in the back canister behind the Y joint. He told me that there was 5psi roll back in the rear converter that was pushing back into the engine. I think I am going to find the part and try to replace it myself. Will I need any special tools to take the apparatus off? Or can I get away with a good set of socket wrenches?
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Tuesday, January 31st, 2012 AT 2:09 AM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
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A good set of sockets and wrenches and you will be fine no specail skils or tools needed. Just jack the car up and put it on jack stands.
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Tuesday, January 31st, 2012 AT 3:25 AM
Tiny
LUDDY27
  • MEMBER
  • 8 POSTS
Thanks for all the help.I will keep you posted on how it goes. You wouldn't happen to know/have the part number for this rear converter for the '02 L300. Just for price comparison sake.
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Tuesday, January 31st, 2012 AT 2:31 PM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,869 POSTS
If you go to www. Rockauto. Com and match up your cat with the one you need there is part numbers on there.I have the same access you have as far as that goes what ever I can find on the internet.I have ordered a lot of parts from rock auto they have some pretty good deals on there. But I always price shop anyways
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Tuesday, January 31st, 2012 AT 6:09 PM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
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Cant say I have ever ordered from them but looks like a good deal.I would go for it let me know how it comes out.
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Tuesday, January 31st, 2012 AT 8:55 PM
Tiny
LUDDY27
  • MEMBER
  • 8 POSTS
Just wanted to let you know everything went smoothly with getting the part and install. The dismantle of the old converter was the hard part with the rusted bolts. Once I got it off it was an easy re-asemble. The exhaust system is back running smoothly and I may have even picked up a couple MPG's in the last week driving. Thanks for the input and encouragement!
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Thursday, February 9th, 2012 AT 2:41 PM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,869 POSTS
Your welcome thats what were here I knew you could do it.
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Thursday, February 9th, 2012 AT 4:59 PM

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