'01 Forester Cat converter question

[Zeppo]

Hi,

My daughter's 2001 Forester with 90K miles had a 'Check engine' light come
on today. She took it to Auto-zone who read the code and said it points to
a bad catalytic converter. She made an appointment with a mechanic (she's 90
miles away at college) she's used who asked if she wanted a new converter or
did she want him to look for a low mileage used part.



Is a used converter a good idea? Any idea what a parts and labor for a new
converter should run?



I'm hoping the car will last her a few years and its been running ok before
this. The only work its needed other than maintenance items is a CV joint
and axle last summer.



Thanks in advance,

Jon

 

[M.J.]

Is a used converter a good idea? Any idea what a parts and labor for a new
converter should run?

I think these are illegal. There is some federal law prohibiting tampering
with emmissions controls systems and catalytic converters fall under this.
Get a new one, there are plenty of inexpensive generics.

M.J.

 

[johninKY]

Recently saw someone else post the same question except he got a dealer
quote...$2500. More then likely there is nothing wrong with the
convertor. More likely just the fron O2 sensor needs replaced.

Can't legally purchase a used convertor so that option is out. just
replace the front sensor.

 

[Carl 1 Lucky Texan]

Recently saw someone else post the same question except he got a dealer
quote...$2500. More then likely there is nothing wrong with the
convertor. More likely just the fron O2 sensor needs replaced.

Can't legally purchase a used convertor so that option is out. just
replace the front sensor.

Good post/advice.
The system has only one way to 'suggest' a bad converter and it is a
change in readings between the 'upstream' and 'downstream' O2 sensors. A
bad or 'lazy' sensor can (and usually will) trigger a cat. conv. type
failure code. The upstream converters also begin getting old between
70K-120K miles or so. less if the car has ever had a problem where it
ran 'rich' or leaked coolant.
I'd be tempted to clear the code once or twice and monitor how quickly
it returns. And find a mechanic who will scope the O2 sensors to see if
they are switching in the right range.

Carl

 

[Tony Hwang]

Good post/advice.
The system has only one way to 'suggest' a bad converter and it is a
change in readings between the 'upstream' and 'downstream' O2 sensors. A
bad or 'lazy' sensor can (and usually will) trigger a cat. conv. type
failure code. The upstream converters also begin getting old between
70K-120K miles or so. less if the car has ever had a problem where it
ran 'rich' or leaked coolant.
I'd be tempted to clear the code once or twice and monitor how quickly
it returns. And find a mechanic who will scope the O2 sensors to see if
they are switching in the right range.

Carl

Hi,
Wasn't there a bad sensor recall TSB around that year?

 

[Dano58]

Hi,

My daughter's 2001 Forester with 90K miles had a 'Check engine' light come
on today. She took it to Auto-zone who read the code and said it points to
a bad catalytic converter. She made an appointment with a mechanic (she's 90
miles away at college) she's used who asked if she wanted a new converter or
did she want him to look for a low mileage used part.

Is a used converter a good idea? Any idea what a parts and labor for a new
converter should run?

Do you have the exact code? I would Google it and see exactly what it
means. Codes should not 'point' to something, they are usually
specific enough to tell you exactly what is wrong. Also, check your
warranty book, emissions equipment warranties are generally longer
than the basic warranty. You may be covered.

Dan D
'99 Impreza 2.5 RS (son's)
Central NJ USA

 

[Zeppo]

Do you have the exact code? I would Google it and see exactly what it
means. Codes should not 'point' to something, they are usually
specific enough to tell you exactly what is wrong. Also, check your
warranty book, emissions equipment warranties are generally longer
than the basic warranty. You may be covered.

Dan,
Waiting to hear back from my daughter now. She left me a message that she
dropped it off at the mechanic but didn't have an update as to what they
found yet.

Thanks for the response.
Jon

 

[Zeppo]

Good post/advice.
The system has only one way to 'suggest' a bad converter and it is a
change in readings between the 'upstream' and 'downstream' O2 sensors. A
bad or 'lazy' sensor can (and usually will) trigger a cat. conv. type
failure code. The upstream converters also begin getting old between
70K-120K miles or so. less if the car has ever had a problem where it ran
'rich' or leaked coolant.
I'd be tempted to clear the code once or twice and monitor how quickly it
returns. And find a mechanic who will scope the O2 sensors to see if they
are switching in the right range.

Carl,
Great advice but my daughter already put the car in the shop.

Hopefully they'll just find a faulty O2 sensor.
Jon

 

[Zeppo]

Recently saw someone else post the same question except he got a dealer
quote...$2500. More then likely there is nothing wrong with the
convertor. More likely just the fron O2 sensor needs replaced.

Can't legally purchase a used convertor so that option is out. just
replace the front sensor.

Yikes! Almost swallowed my tongue there.

Must light candles to the bad O2 sensor gods!
Jon

 

[Glenn Klein]

Do you have the exact code? I would Google it and see exactly what it
means. Codes should not 'point' to something, they are usually
specific enough to tell you exactly what is wrong. Also, check your
warranty book, emissions equipment warranties are generally longer
than the basic warranty. You may be covered.

Dan D
'99 Impreza 2.5 RS (son's)
Central NJ USA

Most Warranties run for 8/80K whichever comes 1st

 

[bigjimpack]

If it works and you pass emissions and visual inspections its not
illegal!!!!! I'd be leery as the used converter might have come from
another 90k car. From a late model low mile wreck it might be a good
choise.

 

[johninKY]

Replace the front O2 sensor first. More then likely that is the problem,
not the convertor.

 

[Zeppo]

Most Warranties run for 8/80K whichever comes 1st

I was hoping there was an extended warranty on the emission system. I've had
2 Hondas that had their emission systems warranty extended due to early
production problems (for all owners that year). My local dealer says it
isn't. Hey, It was worth a shot.

Jon

 

[Zeppo]

Good post/advice.
The system has only one way to 'suggest' a bad converter and it is a
change in readings between the 'upstream' and 'downstream' O2 sensors. A
bad or 'lazy' sensor can (and usually will) trigger a cat. conv. type
failure code. The upstream converters also begin getting old between
70K-120K miles or so. less if the car has ever had a problem where it ran
'rich' or leaked coolant.
I'd be tempted to clear the code once or twice and monitor how quickly it
returns. And find a mechanic who will scope the O2 sensors to see if they
are switching in the right range.

Carl

Carl,
The mechanic couldn't find anything wrong so he just reset the code. He did
a 90k maintenance which included new plugs, filters and fluids. She's put
~150 miles on it since then with no recurrence.

Also, Thanks to everyone for their advice and suggestions. You folks were a
big help.

Regards,
Jon