# Catalytic Converter **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Created:** [March 15, 2008, 3:54pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/catalytic-converter/11840 "2008-03-15T15:54:40Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 11\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![clearview1353](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a4c791/32.png) [@clearview1353](https://community.cartalk.com/u/clearview1353)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2008, 3:54pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/catalytic-converter/11840/1 "2008-03-15T15:54:40Z")
Should a catalytic converter last the “life of a vehicle”? I have a 2002 Camry w/ 150,000 miles. Dx test says the converter needs to be replaced. Isn’t this caused by another underlying condition? ---
**Author:** ![cappy208](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/cappy208/32/31_2.png) [@cappy208](https://community.cartalk.com/u/cappy208)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2008, 4:37pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/catalytic-converter/11840/2 "2008-03-15T16:37:09Z")
more info. what diagnosis? how was it made? any engine malfunction lights, codes, why did you have it tested? ---
**Author:** ![GreasyJack](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/df705f/32.png) [@GreasyJack](https://community.cartalk.com/u/GreasyJack)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2008, 5:15pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/catalytic-converter/11840/3 "2008-03-15T17:15:06Z")
It should theoretically, but even an engine that’s only slightly out of tune can damage them over the long term, so in practice by the time cars get up there in miles they usually do end up needing to be replaced. However, you’re right that there’s probably another underlying condition-- post more info! ---
**Author:** ![SteveF](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/stevef/32/2_2.png) [@SteveF](https://community.cartalk.com/u/SteveF)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2008, 5:39pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/catalytic-converter/11840/4 "2008-03-15T17:39:08Z")
I hope you are aware that there is a federally mandated 8-year warranty on your cat. You may be entitled to a free replacement. Your dealer knows this but he won’t bring it up. You have to remind him. ---
**Author:** ![rockford](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ac8455/32.png) [@rockford](https://community.cartalk.com/u/rockford)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2008, 5:43pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/catalytic-converter/11840/5 "2008-03-15T17:43:45Z")
The federal warranty is 8 years/80000 miles. The OP has exceeded the mileage limit. ---
**Author:** ![pleasedodgevan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/51bf81/32.png) [@pleasedodgevan](https://community.cartalk.com/u/pleasedodgevan)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2008, 4:51am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/catalytic-converter/11840/6 "2008-03-16T04:51:30Z")
Sometimes and sometimes not. It could last a lot longer. ---
**Author:** ![andrew\_j](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/91b2a8/32.png) [@andrew\_j](https://community.cartalk.com/u/andrew_j)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2008, 12:44pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/catalytic-converter/11840/7 "2008-03-16T12:44:54Z")
Typically another problem causes the failure and overworks this component. Of course everything has a design life and yours may have just been on the shorter end. ---
**Author:** ![Docnick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ecae2f/32.png) [@Docnick](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Docnick)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2008, 3:56pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/catalytic-converter/11840/8 "2008-03-16T15:56:12Z")
If you car is maintainedd regularly, and the spark plugs and injectors function as intended, it is not unusual for the converter to last the life of the vehicle. We had a 1984 Chevy Impala in the family from 1984 to 2004 and it had 300,000 miles on it when we sold it. The exhaust system (muffler, exhaust pipe, tailpipe) had been replaced 3 times, but it still had the original converter. It may still have it. ---
**Author:** ![clearview1353](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a4c791/32.png) [@clearview1353](https://community.cartalk.com/u/clearview1353)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2008, 5:24pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/catalytic-converter/11840/9 "2008-03-16T17:24:05Z")
Thanks all who posted. Dx made in response to check engine light. No noticeable difference in the way it’s been running. Car is routinely maintained as I intend to double the current mileage. I’ll inquire about the warranty and let everyone know how it turns out. ---
**Author:** ![hellokit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/6a8cbe/32.png) [@hellokit](https://community.cartalk.com/u/hellokit)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2008, 5:55pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/catalytic-converter/11840/10 "2008-03-16T17:55:02Z")
When the engine computer turns on the Check Engine Light, it sets a DTC (Diagnostic Trouble Code) to indicate that a circuit, which includes a sensor or other component, has a problem. It doesn’t single out a particular sensor, or component, as being defective. The DTC on your car, does not say that the catalytic converter is bad, and need to be replaced. Only further diagnosis can determine that. How well the engine seems to run, has nothing to do with the health of the catalytic converter. ---
**Author:** ![GreasyJack](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/df705f/32.png) [@GreasyJack](https://community.cartalk.com/u/GreasyJack)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2008, 6:17pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/catalytic-converter/11840/11 "2008-03-16T18:17:57Z")
Those old catalytic convertors were huuuuuge and, since they were designed to be run with carbureted vehicles, they were a lot more forgiving than the new ones. My '76 Chevy pickup still has the original catalytic convertor and, at least based on my smell-test, seems to still be working. It’s also so big that even though there’s no muffler anymore, it’s still pretty darn quiet.