I am so unlucky that my catalytic converter on my 2000 Subaru Outback has failed and the warranty expired in October. I think it failed because I had bad ignition wires that I delayed in fixing a while back.
Anyway, I’m looking at replacing the converter and this vehicle has two converters. Is there any chance I can get by with replacing one of them? If so, anyway I know which one to replace? It looks like the O2 sensors are in front of the first converter and behind the second, so the computer just knowns there is a failure somewhere between the two of them. I suspect that I just have to replace both but would love someone to tell me otherwise.
Second question is on the O2 sensors. It looks like a lot of the converters come with O2 sensors and I have heard that they break easily when you put in a new converter. Is this true? Should I just order the converter that comes with new O2 sensors?
Thanks!
I’ve never heard of cats coming with O2 sensors (but there are many things in this world of which I’ve never heard).
The Subarus I’ve owned had the cats integral with the downpipes from the exhaust manifolds, and were only available as complete units, IIRC. If this is the case with yours, I think your pretty much stuck with replacing the whole shebang unless your local exhaust specialist can get really creative with a small universal-fit cat.
Forgot to ask: Are you certain you have a bad cat?
What warranty expired in Oct? Mfr’s original warranty? I’ll display my ignorance by asking; Whatever happened to the Federal Emmissions Warranty? In the late 90’s it was 10 yr/100,000 mi. What about now? Don’t let go of $ till you have to.
WHO TOLD IT WAS CONVERTER iF A SHOP THEY SHOULD BE ABLE TO TEST EACH ONE. IF IT WAS A BAD WIRE AND YOU SEPERATE EXHAUST BACK TO MUFFLER ONLY ONE CONVERTER WOULD HAVE THE PROBLEM SINCE ONE SIDE OF THE ENGINE WAS RUNNING FINE. AS FOR CONVERTER WITH O2 SENSOR IN IT IT MAY IN THE PIPE JUST BEFORE THE CONVERTER . WITH THE NEW PIPE COMING STAINLESS STEEL THE COST IS HIGH NOW DAYS. QUESTION AFTER RUNNING ENGINE DOES ONE GET RED
IN COLOR IF IT DOES THIS THER DAB ONE THEY WILL GET RED HOT WHEN BAD. RUN ENGINE AT LITTLE HIGH RPMS AND LOOK UNDER CAR. MY CONV GLOWED BRIGHT ONE NIGHT. THE GAS STATION HAD A LOAD OF LEADED FUEL PUT WRONG TANK THIS WAS BACK IN 1982