Bad Catalytic Converter at 120K

[Zadams31]

Have a 2007 with 120,000 miles on it and the right catalytic converter and both o2 sensors on that side are bad and need to be replaced. I had a 2000 4runner and the cat didn't go until 210,000. Is it going bad this early unusual??

 

[Brian3676]

Have a 2007 with 120,000 miles on it and the right catalytic converter and both o2 sensors on that side are bad and need to be replaced. I had a 2000 4runner and the cat didn't go until 210,000. Is it going bad this early unusual??

How do you know the cat is bad? If it has a cel for the o2 I would replace that first and clear the codes. See if it comes back.

 

[Zadams31]

How do you know the cat is bad? If it has a cel for the o2 I would replace that first and clear the codes. See if it comes back.

Ive gone to two different places and cleared the codes and it came back on an hour later. Went in to Toyota and they again gave me the same diagnostic. Right Cat and both o2 sensors on that side.

 

[Brian3676]

Ive gone to two different places and cleared the codes and it came back on an hour later. Went in to Toyota and they again gave me the same diagnostic. Right Cat and both o2 sensors on that side.

What I mean is replace both the o2 sensors and then clear the code. After you have both new o2 sensors that were bad, and the code has been cleared wait and see if it comes back.

 

[TOY2G]

It's important to point out, killing the messenger is not alway a good answer. If you are getting an O2 sensor insufficient catalysts code, people always want to replace the sensor. But it's the sensors job to let you know what wrong. When your low fuel light comes on, you don't replace the sensor do you? When a sensor give an out of spec code it does not mean the sensor is needing replaced.

Just trying to point out something you may already know. The dealer is going to try to sell you everything....because it makes them more and it keeps them from having to do any further trouble shooting.

 

[oljedi11950]

This ^^ ! I also found out the hard way that sometimes & in my case the upstream sensors had gone bad too which when they get fouled leads to downstream failure ! Always start with easy ones (sensors o2) because upstream are a B^#@h !

 

[Zadams31]

It's important to point out, killing the messenger is not alway a good answer. If you are getting an O2 sensor insufficient catalysts code, people always want to replace the sensor. But it's the sensors job to let you know what wrong. When your low fuel light comes on, you don't replace the sensor do you? When a sensor give an out of spec code it does not mean the sensor is needing replaced.

Just trying to point out something you may already know. The dealer is going to try to sell you everything....because it makes them more and it keeps them from having to do any further trouble shooting.

I know trust me thats why Ive gotten 3 different options just to see if one of the places was trying to get me to buy a new cat when it may only be an 02 sensor. They all come out and tell me the same thing right cat right 02 sensor behind the cat bank 2 i believe. I'm just asking if its unusual for it to go bad this early?

 

[sambishop]

I had oem sensors on my 99 4runner that didn't go bad till 230 thousand, the cat never went bad.. just stolen. Literally cut off my GD exhaust.

 

[CXS]

I agree with those that suggest replacing the sensors before doing anything else. If that doesn't fix the problem and you do need to replace the cat find a good shop that will do a cut & weld rather than replace the manifold and converter which is what Toyota recommends. It'll save you about $1000.00.

 

[Zadams31]

I agree with those that suggest replacing the sensors before doing anything else. If that doesn't fix the problem and you do need to replace the cat find a good shop that will do a cut & weld rather than replace the manifold and converter which is what Toyota recommends. It'll save you about $1000.00.

ok you guys convinced me! Ill do the 02 sensors first and see what happens.