Replacing stock cat with one CAt

xbeaus · Post by **xbeaus** » Thu Dec 08, 2011 1:04 pm

I need to replace my CAT. Has anyone put one cat on and reset the CEL and had the P0420 not come back? Just wondering as the OEM and any replacement is quite spendy.

Salsa Guy · Post by **Salsa Guy** » Thu Dec 08, 2011 11:48 pm

It also could be the O2 sensor gone bad. Home many miles you have on it and what year? The O2 cheap (less than $100) and simple fix.

xbeaus · Post by **xbeaus** » Sun Dec 11, 2011 8:19 am

Thanks for the tip! Went to O-Reileys. They had an OEM direct replacement. Also picked up some PB Blaster. That did the trick! Code is gone now. I tapped the cat and didn't hear anything loose and didn't smell the rotten egg smell a bad cat produces. (not the litter box.. lol)

xbeaus · Post by **xbeaus** » Wed Dec 14, 2011 2:27 am

Code is back. Could be cat after all. Chasing light now.

Salsa Guy · Post by **Salsa Guy** » Wed Dec 14, 2011 9:17 am

Bummer dude. How many miles you have on it?The OEM and some aftermarket CATs are $$$, and they have 2 parts, the Pre-CAT then the CAT. If you replace just the CAT you'll may need to have a O2 bunge hole installed.

xbeaus · Post by **xbeaus** » Thu Dec 15, 2011 8:25 am

148k on car. Just replaced with a motor with 86K on it. The cat is the old one with the old engine. Had the bad noisy timing situation. Still ran just sounded really bad! I bought a direct replacement cat for $255 online to replace the old one. I don't want to second guess the old one and have something else break. I paid $1900 for this car Spending a little extra is no problem as it books for $6K still.

Serj22 · Post by **Serj22** » Thu Dec 15, 2011 10:32 am

What do you mean bad noisy timinng? Did the chain jump? Or slapping valves? I ask because Im at 130k.

Salsa Guy · Post by **Salsa Guy** » Fri Dec 16, 2011 5:23 am

Did you get the one with the pre-cat or just the cat itself?

xbeaus · Post by **xbeaus** » Mon Dec 19, 2011 9:14 am

I read a technical bulletin about the cam gears and chain on the 1.8 litre engine. Not a recall but something that happens often with this motor. Sounds like maybe the cam gear slipped. Loud tapping noise most apparent on acceleration. These motors are naturally kind of noisy and on start up they clack a little. The cold engine should only make that noise for a few minutes and this is completely normal. If it is all the time then you might have an issue. The cat is a direct replacement so it's exactly like the stock one. Pre cat included.

Salsa Guy · Post by **Salsa Guy** » Mon Dec 19, 2011 11:27 am

I was going to warn you about just replacing the CAT. Not that just replacing the CAT only is a bad idea but a lot of those don't bung holes after the CAT for the 02 sensor. So when you install them you'll need to weld one in.

DiveNut · Post by **DiveNut** » Tue Dec 20, 2011 7:11 am

I relaced my CAT 6 months ago after throwing the dreaded P0420. Went with a Magnaflow piece (part #93200). The local muffler shop knocked it out this morning in 25 minutes while me and my kids waited. Total damage, $222 for the Cat + $75 for the install, $297 total. At least I don't have to stare at that damned CEL now. Been almost 7,000 miles now, hopefully I will get a few years out of this one.

Serj22 · Post by **Serj22** » Wed Dec 21, 2011 2:07 am

You guys have the joy of not being in California. For a SMOG legal cat, you're talking $1,400. For a good replica of one that will work if they don't look too hard, $400. You're technically not allowed to weld in a new cat here, gotta be the whole piece. I got away with a walker after P0420. Passed smog luckily.

Replacing stock cat with one CAt

Replacing stock cat with one CAt

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