# Catalytic converters

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/catalytic-converters/23734>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Created:** [December 22, 2008, 6:48am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/catalytic-converters/23734 "2008-12-22T06:48:16Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![fentonbubba](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/b9bd4f/32.png) [@fentonbubba](https://community.cartalk.com/u/fentonbubba)\
**Post date:** [December 22, 2008, 6:48am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/catalytic-converters/23734/1 "2008-12-22T06:48:16Z")

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I have a 2004 Mercury Grand Marquis with 160,000+ miles. Two of my four catalytic coverters are going bad. Factory replacement parts are $1800 without labor.  
  
 My car is in great shape. It uses no oil between my 5,000 mile oil changes.  
  
 Is there a cheaper alternative?

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**Author:** ![cigroller](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c68b51/32.png) [@cigroller](https://community.cartalk.com/u/cigroller)\
**Post date:** [December 22, 2008, 7:01am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/catalytic-converters/23734/2 "2008-12-22T07:01:20Z")

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if by “factory replacement” you mean an oem part then start with aftermarket converters which should be a lot less.

there are also aftermarket “universal” cats that, as far as I know are usually fine. you might also comb the salvage yards but the potential problems with that are obvious (here is a great site: [http://www.car-part.com](http://www.car-part.com))

if you’re not good at sorting it out yourself, find a good independent mechanic if you don’t have one and ask for their recommendation.

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**Author:** ![mcparadise](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/mcparadise/32/32_2.png) [@mcparadise](https://community.cartalk.com/u/mcparadise)\
**Post date:** [December 22, 2008, 12:32pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/catalytic-converters/23734/3 "2008-12-22T12:32:24Z")

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Get a price from an independent mechanic. You don’t necessarily need Ford parts. There are less expensive after market exhaust suppliers.

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**Author:** ![hellokit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/6a8cbe/32.png) [@hellokit](https://community.cartalk.com/u/hellokit)\
**Post date:** [December 22, 2008, 12:51pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/catalytic-converters/23734/4 "2008-12-22T12:51:33Z")

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Simply because there is a check engine light code about the catalyst system, or catalytic converter, doesn’t mean you have to replace the catalytic converters. There are some ignorant and/or dishonest mechanics will tell you that the catalytic converters have to be changed, when they don’t.  
A check engine trouble code, like P0420, doesn’t mean to “change the catalytic converters”. Here is a checklist for those mechanics who have forgotten (or, not) some of the things to check when there is a trouble code for catalyst system: [http://www.obd-codes.com/p0420](http://www.obd-codes.com/p0420)