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2001 Subaru Legacy Emissions Failure

Tiny
KGABY
  • MEMBER
  • 2001 SUBARU LEGACY
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 102,000 MILES
My car just failed the Virginia state emissions inspection, with a code that indicated a bad catalytic converter. The repair place (that also did the inspection) said that parts and labor for a replacement would be $1,600 (mostly for parts). I have a few questions:

-- They strongly recommended against a non-Subaru aftermarket converter, saying they don't last (sometimes last only a few months). Is that generally true? Is there a brand of non-Subaru that is more reliable? (The converters I can order online seem MUCH cheaper.)

-- Is there any reason to believe that it is not the catalyic converter?

-- Do I have any other options than replacing the converter?

Thanks.

Keith
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Thursday, July 3rd, 2008 AT 3:39 PM

3 Replies

Tiny
MASTERTECHTIM
  • MECHANIC
  • 4,749 POSTS
You probably have a check engine light on with code 420, correct, it should say on the rejection paper. I use aftermarket converters all the time and rarely have a failure, do you have a muffler shop that specializes in mufflers nearby? They can usually cut out the original and install a universal one for the least amount of money.
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Thursday, July 3rd, 2008 AT 4:33 PM
Tiny
KGABY
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Yes, the code was P0420. Did you mean I should buy an catalytic converter and take it a muffler shop (like Midas, I assume) for installation? Or just take it to the Muffler shop and have them order the part. (And if I should buy it, are there brands that are better?)

Thanks again.
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Thursday, July 3rd, 2008 AT 5:09 PM
Tiny
MASTERTECHTIM
  • MECHANIC
  • 4,749 POSTS
Not midas. Usually you can find a shop that just does exhaust work. They will stock the converters becasue they only need a few different ones to fit every car. They just use a saw and cut your old one out and weld in a new one in its place. Your shop wants to replace the entire unit which only fits that vehicle thats why its so expensive. Just the cat itself are relatively the same on most cars. Call around to the shops and do some comparing, you will be surprised the wide differences in prices
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Thursday, July 3rd, 2008 AT 9:51 PM

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