- Other Question. Did you fail your emissions test? Discount Converter, Ltd. has Direct Fit Catalytic Converters for most makes and models of cars and light trucks, both foreign and domestic. He has had articles published in various online publications, specializing in sports, automotive issues and wildlife, among other topics. The price of a catalytic converter doesn’t just apply to how much its repair or replacement costs. Some cars, like the 1996-2000 Honda Civic, have catalytic converters in front of the engine or underneath the car depending on your model. If you're quickly Googling how much it costs to replace a catalytic converter, you're probably going to be dismayed by what you find. Even if you do not have a current problem in your vehicle’s catalytic converter, it is recommended that you use a cleaner at least four times a year. First, confirm the catalytic converter’s location. Some cars, like the Toyota Prius Hybrid, also have their catalytic converters here.eval(ez_write_tag([[580,400],'tiremeetsroad_com-medrectangle-4','ezslot_3',107,'0','0'])); But, some cars, vans, suvs, and trucks have their catalytic converters directly in front of the engine, part of the exhaust manifold. To sum up, deterring thieves is the name of the game. A two-way catalytic converter works by oxidizing CO (carbon monoxide) and HC (hydrocarbons "unburned fuel") to CO2 (carbon dioxide) ... Fuel filter is the cheapest fix usually, but sometimes the catalytic converter … You’re probably not the first person to call asking for a rebar cage around their catalytic converter and a muffler shop or the dealership can install one on for you for a small fee. Inexpensive DIY methods to prevent catalytic converter theft, Watch this stanced Miata battle a driveway. Replacing your catalytic converter can be expensive, especially if you are buying a brand new one. Want to know why a mechanic did this? For as little as $50, in addition to the above theft prevention methods, you can get yourself a dashcam that records upon motion detection, whether it’s movement in front of the camera or physically rocking your car. Let me know in the comments and I’ll update this blog post accordingly. You have entered an incorrect email address! They pointed out among other things, thatd I need a new catalytic converter … If your … We Sell at Low Distributor Pricing and We Ship Fast! No prevention method is 100 percent foolproof but they’re better than doing nothing. Be sure to flush the unit from both ends. Be advised, if you plan on using any other metal besides rebar steel, know that different metals react differently to heat. Find our store nearby. Catalytic converters can reach temperatures of up to 1,600 degrees F so plan your metal choice accordingly.eval(ez_write_tag([[300,250],'tiremeetsroad_com-large-leaderboard-2','ezslot_7',115,'0','0'])); Some dealerships and exhaust shops will, for a small fee, etch your VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) and other identifying information on catalytic converters so when a would-be thief sees this, they may just walk away from your car. Do you have any catalytic converter theft prevention tips to share? The best way to avoid blockage on your catalytic converter is to drive your vehicle for 15 minutes each day so that the exhaust heats up enough to scorch away the deposits that have accumulated on the catalytic converter… However, it is just aquick fix for catalytic converterand is not as effective as unclogging the catalytic converter … How to repair and clean bad Catalytic converter. Another way to … If you’re not really handy but still want a cage of your own, go ahead and call your local dealership or surrounding muffler shops. The catalytic converter cleaner is one of the cheapest solutions to fix the catalytic converter’s issues. The news is full … The total cost of a catalytic converter repair is $950 - $2500, with labor costs at $70 - $200. It's a potential way to fix a clogged catalytic converter. I was told the reason the truck was running poorly was that the catalytic converter … And, with a few turns of a wrench, it’s no wonder thieves are getting bold, stealing catalytic converters in the middle of the day, effectively making a grand in less than a minute. Google around your area and maybe ring up your local police department about Catalytic Converter etching. I took my 1997 Jeep Grand Cherokee to the dealer (I try to avoid this as much as possible since they overcharge) for an electrical problem. Our Direct Fit Converters are Bolt-On for quick installation with no cutting or welding. Simply replacing a catalytic converter is often just a temporary fix. An OEM catalytic converter … A cheap catalytic converter that is an aftermarket brand might cost you $100 Or even less depending on where you buy it and the kind of car you drive. When a converter goes bad, other things are often to blame such as bad spark plugs. If you fail to take care of a clogged or damaged converter, you could be adding further expensive repair costs. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Use a pressure washer to blast out any contaminants from the matrix. To clean a catalytic converter, start by choosing a commercial cleaner made specifically for your car's engine type. A quick google search like, “1999 Honda Civic Catalytic converter location” should do the trick. DX trim level Civics have their cats in front while LX EX Civics have theirs underneath the car.eval(ez_write_tag([[250,250],'tiremeetsroad_com-box-4','ezslot_4',109,'0','0'])); If you’re a bit handy, have the tools to bend, cut, and weld rebar, you can effectively make your own DIY rebar cage to surround your catalytic converter. A smoking exhaust pipe letting out white fumes is a sign that this is occurring. Products are available that you can pour into the radiator to seal the leak. Is there a way to fix a catalytic converter? Damaging the oxygen sensor results when silicone is allowed to come into contact with a catalytic converter. Although this won’t protect your catalytic converter per say, you can catch the license plate of the offending party and their faces. they are simular to those premade air filters you get for central heat and air in your home in … As for the noise, it might just be a hole in the muffler. The damage a faulty converter … Established 2017. The catalytic converter is only effective at temperatures above 750°F. I got a catshield from millercat 6 months ago and I’ve had no issues with catalytic converter theft! Then, pour the cleaner into the gas tank and drive your car to run the cleaner through the catalytic converter… Either way, the egg smell means that you are in danger of melting the inside of your converter, which can leave you stranded and means an expensive cat replacement. You can fix or contain this issue by switching to an "SJ"-type motor oil as opposed to the "SH"-rated type, which contains higher levels of phosphorus. He is a certified electrician. My neighborhood has been getting hit really hard with Prius catalytic converter theft. I have a 2004 Pontiac Grand Am with a clogged catalytic converter and I don't have the $985 to get it fixed including the o2 sensors that need to be replaced as well. Manufacturer-sourced catalytic converter repairs can potentially run you over $1000, so it's not surprising that owners often turn to alternative sources when confronted with this repair. The labor time to replace the front catalytic converter is 1 hour, a factory catalytic converter … It’s generally a good idea to have a dashcam now anyway. 4 cleaning ways! I recommend looking up “Rebar Cage Catalytic Converter.” You’ll come across some great ideas to work on your own catalytic converter. In order to take those out, you’d have to pop the hood to reach them. These options do cost several hundred dollars.eval(ez_write_tag([[300,250],'tiremeetsroad_com-leader-1','ezslot_8',114,'0','0'])); Like the above-mentioned methods, a determined thief with a cordless Sawzall can still defeat these special cages despite what they might advertise. Copyright 2021 Leaf Group Ltd. / Leaf Group Media. In Wichita, Kansas, thieves stole "more than 500" catalytic converters in 2020 as compared to "fewer than 200" in 2019, according to KAKE ABC.Thieves in Topeka have … Catalytic converter cleaner/deodorizers are available for $13 to $25, and you can add them to … Also, spray painting your catalytic converter a bright red or blue with some high-temperature BBQ spray paint might deter some thieves, turned off by having to sell something spray-painted to a scrap yard. A smoking exhaust pipe letting out white fumes is a sign that this is occurring. 1. best to replace it. Converter Warehouse's Catalytic Converters are O.E. Replacement can cost anywhere from around 500 dollars to a couple of thousand dollars, depending on what type of car you have. It can get rid of all the dirt clogging the converter quickly. Catalytic converter replacement isn't cheap. These “under the hood” cats are harder to steal so, for the most part, you don’t have to worry about those being stolen. Paulo Acoba is the person who pays the hosting & writes the words. These Toyota Tacoma owners linked here came up with some DIY Rebar cages of their own to, at best, deter thieves from their catalytic converters.eval(ez_write_tag([[580,400],'tiremeetsroad_com-banner-1','ezslot_6',112,'0','0'])); The Sacramento Bee reports that a one pickup truck owner deterred a would-be catalytic converter theft from happening thanks to a welded on a piece of rebar on their catalytic converter. Born and raised in Mississippi, Marcus Baker began writing in 1998. Easier ways to fix a clogged catalytic converter? Catalytic converters aren't cheap. Failing an emissions test will likely result from heavy phosphorus contamination to your catalytic converter. Unclogging your catalytic converter without removing it is the more manageable, and cheapest way to fix catalytic converter. You can also etch on your VIN and license plate number, two pieces of information that should raise alarms to scrap metal yards that this cat converter is stolen. The news is full of a handful of individuals who did just that. Our strengths focus on anything uncommon in the car industry, the California car scene, and a slight affinity covering anything aftermarket performance. Make sure you flush out both ends to clean the … If you’re a bit handy, have the tools to bend, cut, and weld rebar, you can effectively make your own DIY rebar cage to surround your catalytic converter. Damaging the oxygen sensor results when silicone is allowed to come into contact with a catalytic converter. … If the honeycomb inside the cat is the thing that's rattling a cheap temporary fix is to drill a small hole and sink a screw through it. The only diss advantage to that is if you … This is one rebar job done by a muffler shop in Northern California. Type, Bolt-On, Direct Fit, with no welding or cutting needed thus making for a fast, clean and easy installation.Here at Converter Warehouse we stock over 1700 different applications of Direct Fit Catalytic Converters … If your converter has a carbon buildup or mild oil fouling, try cleaning it before replacing it. Depending on the make and model of a car, certain catalytic converters, like the ones under a Toyota Prius, can fetch over $1,000 on the used market. Reducing auto emissions takes place when a catalytic converter is working properly, while damaged converters may require cheap fixes or replacement. Catalytic Converters. Some police departments, like this Roseville community in Sacramento, do it for free certain times of the year. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FZlzLN2x74s. Auto Repairs … The 1986 Pontiac Trans Sport Concept’s not-so-dirty-little-secret, Disability advocate to bike & scooter users, “Move them, we can’t get through”, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZOLkDo4P_ec. Cheapest way to replace Catalytic Converter? Smoking blue fumes coming from your exhaust pipe will often indicate if this is indeed happening. After removing the catalytic converter, use a pressure washer to blast out any contaminants from the matrix. Not particularly DIY but it’s worth mentioning there are special catalytic converter cages that you can buy, the most popular ones called “Cat Clamp” and “Cat Strap”, that secures your catalytic converter. Meineke Car Care offers affordable price for catalytic converter repair & replacement services. If these go unfixed, a new converter will go bad due to these underlying issues. Be sure to indicate your car’s trim level, too. Installing catalytic converters on vehicles does a great service to the environment, as they are responsible for cleaning the pollution that comes from your vehicle's combustion engine. Besides, I never heard of a bad catalytic converter keeping the car from going over 10 mph. The first case in which catalytic converter … You’ll want to choose a dashcam with a standby mode, sometimes referred to as a parking mode, that records when motion is detected. Here are a few DIY ways you can probably use to prevent catalytic converter theft.eval(ez_write_tag([[300,250],'tiremeetsroad_com-medrectangle-3','ezslot_2',108,'0','0'])); Embed from Getty Imageswindow.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'tX2oNc_NTOxYuIIlDwVj6A',sig:'z8Qc4gyIttuTYLGQPaVfSGN3YM1NRFq8ZxVLLu5uA9U=',w:'594px',h:'396px',items:'490674590',caption: false ,tld:'com',is360: false })}); There’s a reason catalytic converter thefts happen mostly on trucks, most truck catalytic converters run directly underneath the chassis where it’s easily accessible. For a 2005 Nissan Maxima with a 3.5-liter transverse V-6 engine, there is a front and a rear catalytic converter, replaceable separately. You can fix this problem cheaply by sealing the source of entry for the silicone… Even with this damage you can sell … Rattling Sounds —If you can hear a rattling sound in your catalytic converter … Here’s an email we got from Geoff asking us about an unnecessary repair: I took my truck in to be fixed and was told it needed a new exhaust system along with a new catalytic converter. In many cases, the parts inside the catalytic converter will become loose and you cannot repair your catalytic converter without removing and replacing it. Cost to replace catalytic converter. You can fix this problem cheaply by sealing the source of entry for the silicone, which is often through a leak in the head gasket. Click the image below! Some price aggregate sites show catalytic converter … Over Clogged. Once you rule out the catalytic converter with your own scanner, go find an honest repair … The cost of replacing your catalytic converter. Super happy. 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