Catalytic Converter problem

[Rick]

Got a 03 Forester with 160,000km. A month ago the check engine lamp came
on. Brought it to the dealership and was told they found a code saying
that the sensors telling that catalytic converter is having a problem. So
they said I have two choices. One is to replace the converter for almost2
grand. The other choice is to do a Terra Clean to clean the pipe and 50%
of the time is OK. I chose the second choice still cost me $200.

After I had the Terra Clean. The car ran really smooth. 3 weeks passed and
seem to be OK. It came up again yesterday (a month later).
I brought it to my mechanic to check it out. He found out the same code.
He said I shouldn't do the Terra Clean. He is surprise that the dealer
suggested this to me. He said the chemical put into the pipe might damage
the O2 sensor also. The honeycomb shape catalytic converter is so fragile
that it might be damaged too. Is that true?

I also found this on the web.
http://autos.msn.com/research/vip/Reliability.aspx?year=2003&make=Subaru&model=Forester

Apparently the Forester has problem with this after the renowned gasket
problem. Couldn't find a cheap alternative for the catalytic converter.
Such as an after market version (not for 2003). The dealer charge $900 for
the part alone.

Awfully expensive part. Been driven so many cars before and never had to
replace the catalytic converter. First time got this forester and cost me
a fortune after 160k.

 

[Edward Hayes]

The must be some muffler place that sells a universal cat that can be
adapted. Try a large muffler shop. Trouble is that dealers only have
the original spec part which when on a new car is warranted for 80,000
miles and usually last 2X as long. Aftermarket are probably only good
for 50,000 or so but, at 1/3 the cost. Shop around.

 

[Carl 1 Lucky Texan]

Got a 03 Forester with 160,000km. A month ago the check engine lamp
came on. Brought it to the dealership and was told they found a code
saying that the sensors telling that catalytic converter is having a
problem. So they said I have two choices. One is to replace the
converter for almost 2 grand. The other choice is to do a Terra Clean
to clean the pipe and 50% of the time is OK. I chose the second choice
still cost me $200.

After I had the Terra Clean. The car ran really smooth. 3 weeks passed
and seem to be OK. It came up again yesterday (a month later).
I brought it to my mechanic to check it out. He found out the same
code. He said I shouldn't do the Terra Clean. He is surprise that the
dealer suggested this to me. He said the chemical put into the pipe
might damage the O2 sensor also. The honeycomb shape catalytic
converter is so fragile that it might be damaged too. Is that true?

I also found this on the web.
http://autos.msn.com/research/vip/Reliability.aspx?year=2003&make=Subaru&model=Forester


Apparently the Forester has problem with this after the renowned gasket
problem. Couldn't find a cheap alternative for the catalytic converter.
Such as an after market version (not for 2003). The dealer charge $900
for the part alone.

Awfully expensive part. Been driven so many cars before and never had
to replace the catalytic converter. First time got this forester and
cost me a fortune after 160k.

More than likely there was never anything wrong with the converter and
the front O2 sensor is just getting 'lazy'. If you posted the codes
retrieved (Autozone and other places will often read those at no
charge), it may help us. I think your second mechanic may also be right
that some cleaners can damage 'downstream' components in the exhaust - I
dunno.

Maybe ask your second mechanic about the fromt O2 sensor - maybe he can
scope it to see if it's working well.

Carl

 

[David]

More than likely there was never anything wrong with the converter and
the front O2 sensor is just getting 'lazy'. If you posted the codes
retrieved (Autozone and other places will often read those at no
charge),

Or buy a scanner & read 'em yourself. The code gives you the detected
fault, which is not necessarily the actual problem, but is certainly a
clue to finding the problem. The Subaru Factory Service Manual (FSM)
should have the diagnostic procedure for the more common codes. I don't
actually have a Subaru FSM, but have the FSM for my other, older car.
FSMs tend to be very expensive at your dealer's parts counter, but can
be very cheap in downloadable form online.

it may help us. I think your second mechanic may also be right
that some cleaners can damage 'downstream' components in the exhaust - I
dunno.

Maybe ask your second mechanic about the fromt O2 sensor - maybe he can
scope it to see if it's working well.

With 160km, might as well just replace it, if it's easily accessible
anyway.

If it turns out you do need a cat, I would look something at a better
price than your dealer quoted. Even if those are CAD$, it's pretty
steep.

Good luck.
David

 

[Black WRX]

Got my catalytic converter recently replaced on '02 WRX by dealer, no
charge at all. Might have to do something with this:

http://www.epa.gov/otaq/consumer/warr95fs.txt

Check if your vehicle complies before shelling out $$.

 

[Rick]

Thanks all for the reply.
The price for the catalytic converter is C$980 as quoted from the dealer.
After market one only up to 2002. Mine is 2003. With 160km, all my
warranties are over. However, generally the catalytic converter should
last for the life of the car. As I've said, I'd been driven so many
different cars before and never had to replace this. And don't forget
that' highway mileage.

I think it might have something to do with the fact that Subaru located
the first catalytic converter too close to the engine (normally should be
under the seat). The first one is right behind the engine. The heat from
the engine might damage the unit after some time. And that might explain
why so many catalytic converter failed out there.

The dealer said I don't have to replace it but a google search told me
that a blocked catalytic converter might back pressure the engine and
causing damages. Scary...

I have to find my paperwork to check the code. It's something like P04XX.

Just wondering where I can get a cheaper catalytic converter.

 

[David]

Just wondering where I can get a cheaper catalytic converter.

TWE (www.techworkseng.com) in Canada sells high performance exhaust &
high flow cats.

JC Whitney (www.jcwhitney.com) has "universal fit" cats for US$56.
Custom fit for US$210 and less. Never replaced a cat, but I probably
wouldn't choose a "universal fit" or an especially cheap one.

 

[David]

JC Whitney (www.jcwhitney.com) has "universal fit" cats for US$56.
Custom fit for US$210 and less.

They only have "universal fit" for our cars. I thought because I
entered my car before I searched it was giving me custom fit for my
car, but it wasn't. Oh well. Someone else said a local mufler shop
should have universal fit cats they can adapt too.