1989 Toyota Tercel Why is this catalytic converter differen

ANGUSVERA

MEMBER
1989 TOYOTA TERCEL

Engine Performance problem
1989 Toyota Tercel 4 cyl Automatic 86865 miles

I need to replace a catalytic converter for a single mom of three whose car flunked emissions and has a rejection sticker that is up soon.
The catalytic converter looks like this:

http://www.partsamerica.com/ProductDetail.aspx?MfrCode=MAR&MfrPartNumber=29248&PartType=145&PTSet=A

I tried to order the part and they say it is discontinued. I can't find any cat converter that resembles this. Do you know why the long air tube? It says in the the part description that it is for a calif emissions vehicle. We live in MA. I called a local Toyota dealership and gave them the VIN of the car and they told me it is not a calif emissions vehicle. (info inside car is illegible)

Do you know why the tube is so long? Can I put any cat converter on this vehicle. Any help you give me would be greatly appreciated.

Jim

2 Replies

MMPRINCE4000

MECHANIC
8,548 POSTS

The tube is an A.I.R. Tube for an air pump for CA. Vehicles. You would not need it in MA.

You can block the end of the tube, Toyota should sell a CAT for this vehicle.

While CAT convertors can "wear out" they should last the life of the car, unless exposed to an incorrect air/fuel mixture or impact.

You can take the car to a muffler shop and have a universal CAT installed, just make sure they test it for emmissions to make sure it will pass.