Catalytic converter replacement and 02 sensor goodness!

[nolo]

So, I changed my 2000 4runner fed emissions 02 sensors yesterday. No big deal, as the stripped bolts came out easily with the Irwin bolt out sockets.

problem - where my 02 sensor sits has almost completely rusted away w/ the o2 sensor not sealing itself properly. this leads me to believe the entire cat that connects to the engine needs to be replaced, due to rust issues. the entire muffler system will have to be replaced as well due to rust. my car has rust cancer. (the rear o2 sensor has the same issue, and that pipe needs to be replaced as well.

is anyone familiar with the maremont brand?

http://www.autozone.com/autozone/ca...ter&store=2097&searchText=&brandName=Maremont

this is exactly what mine looks like, and i'm thinking this would probably be a direct fit. just didn't want to go to toyota for it. i'm not in cali, and don't have any emission testing requirment where i live....

 

[bhowle]

We use Maremont and Walker at work. They're usually top-notch, but sometimes require a bit of work to get a "perfect" fit. I've only seen that on european cars, though. The stuff they make for Japanese and domestic vehicles usually bolts right in with no problems.

 

[nolo]

getting tired of doing work to the truck, but at least it keeps me busy.

bought two Denso's from Amazon for a whopping 144$ overnighted. Came off really easy, and while I was working had the battery undone to reset the light.

well, it reset, two short trips later it came back on. had it reset again. code reader says the same thing it said before i replaced them. i know i'm not cali emissions b/c these fit perfectly, and i cross referenced the part #'s from the old sensors before i ordered the new ones... the ONLY other thing it can be is the leakyness(?) from around the O2 sensor. hopefully this maremont will be a bolt on, just have to find out how to hide all this work i'm doing from the wife who wants "other less desirable things!"

thanks for the input. i will do some more research and advise as i go along.

nolo

 

[Rock Slide]

If you have to replace a faulty oem cat, you may want to look into a lesser expensive cat (something like a high flow cat) and install a URD O2 Simulator: http://www.urdusa.com/product_info.php?cPath=66_72&products_id=1230100014. Granted you have to have working O2 sensors (which appears you do now), but this little URD Simulator tricks your vehicle into thinking you have a working oem cat installed.

Just install the URD Sim, have a muffler shop cut out the old cat and weld in the new one and of course, make sure your O2 sensors are working properly. Easy as 1-2-3. No more PO420 code.

Really don't even need to install a new aftermarket cat w/ the URD Sim installed, b/c the Sim will trick the vehicle into thinking a cat is installed. I think most guys just install a cheap aftermarket cat w/ the Sim for legality purposes.

 

[nolo]

Thanks for the reply. Muffler shop said that the pipes are too rusty to weld on. They are going to have to be replaced. It's a northern vehicle unfortunately. that's why i was just going to unbolt and rebolt on new cat/pipes. which is why i was wondering if the maremont was a direct fit bolt on stuff. I can't bend/weld, but i can bolt!

 

[Rock Slide]

Trust me, I completely understand the rust issue. I bought my current '02 Sport 3yrs ago from Buffalo, NY. You should see my exhaust. BTW, if I had to replace me cats, I'd run all new pipe too.

Just remember, there's a reason why oem cats are over a $1000 each. The O2 sensors are very picky and I have yet to see an aftermarket cat installed on a 4Runner that did not ultimately cause the CEL light to come back on.

Good luck with your decision, I just don't trust aftermarket cats...thus the reason, why the URD O2 sim is a great alternative.

 

[nolo]

Ugh... So, i decided to kill some time and take it to the Midas shop to "get a quote" on a new cat/muffler system. He said, like you above, that the OEM cat is about 1200! no thank you sir!

I showed him the Maremont that I linked here, and he cross referenced on his comp and said that Maremont does not make a cat for my vehicle (?). So.... don't know if I should trust that info, or maybe he is trying to get me to buy something more expensive. who knows.

Good thing on the simulator, and if i do replace the cat/muffler/pipes, and it throws a code, i will pick one up for sure.

So, with this maremont, have you used one in a fed emissions 2000 4wd runner w/ automatic transmission? I feel sure Autozone would take it back should it not fit, but since everything is sooooo rusty underneath, the old one is coming out and i won't be able to put it back on.

Here is what is rusted off on my current setup. keep in mind this is pre-removal of the 02 sensor. Where it meets the pipe, it's not 'sealed' properly due to rust flaking off the pipe.

and here's a pic of the muffler. I think I could get a complete bolt on kit (i can't weld anything) Thanks for any help!!!

 

[nolo]

Just checked maremont website, and they list a part for my 4runner.... why does this have to be so difficult?

is catco or walker a better brand? What about bosal?

 

[410toy]

going through the same problems. Man northern 4runners get it bad. I am in the process of replacing entire exhaust. got TRD headers sent out to ceramic coated and the installation will begin. I bought easterns or catco direct replacement cats if that helps. these are good brands as well walker bosal, magnaflow. oh and I bought my afr and o2 sensor from URD.com

http://www.racepages.com/products/i...lytic+converter&Ns=msv_rank_30|0&No=20&Npp=10

 

[nolo]

going through the same problems. Man northern 4runners get it bad. I am in the process of replacing entire exhaust. got TRD headers sent out to ceramic coated and the installation will begin. I bought walker direct replacement cats if that helps heard they are a good brand as well as bosal, magnaflow,

are you a cali or fed emissions? i only have that one cat, so it shouldn't be hard for me to buy and do myself, just have to get ALL the pipe to do. PITA, but doable.

 

[410toy]

I am cali emissions so I have 2 cats even more of a pain in the ass. just found the receipt and I bought the catco cats they seem to be the highest quality ones after market.

 

[nolo]

I am cali emissions so I have 2 cats even more of a pain in the ass. just found the receipt and I bought the catco cats they seem to be the highest quality ones after market.

let me know if the catco are direct-fit as they claim to be. if i had enough to spring for all of it at once, i would buy them and check... i just don't want to be stuck holding a 200$ part and not be able to then drive my t4r