el_chapu-bling
New member
Well, I posted in another thread that I got a code P0420 for my CEL, so it looks like I need a new Catalytic Converter. The CEL has been "erased" twice, and it has come back on within 4 days...
The CEL came on about 4 days after replacing my Air/Fuel Ratio Sensor (O2 sensor for California vehicles, which I needed to replace because I had failed SMOG a couple of weeks ago and this sensor was the culprit--replacing it made it pass!), which is very strange, as the CEL had not come on before that. I guess changing the sensor "uncovered" this new failure and the truck was somehow "compensating" before...
This is very strange because like I mentioned, I failed SMOG [apparently] because of the bad A/F sensor. I replaced it and it passed the re-test, but not 4 days after, the CEL came on and it is now [apparently] because of a bad Catalytic Converter...
If the Cat DID go "bad", it must have happened within those 4 days after I passed SMOG, otherwise I would not have passed it even after replacing the A/F sensor.
So now the question is: Where can I find the cheapest Catalytic Converter for my 2000 4Runner V6, 2WD, auto, that meets California Emissions?
I already called one dealer and the OEM Cat costs $886!!!
I am seriously considering selling my 4Runner after replacing sensor after sensor after sensor! It is costing me WAY too much money for these recurrent failures that are not noticeable on my "driving", but give me those peskky CELs.
I am really not seeing any of that "indestructuble" reputation that 4Runners are claimed to have by everyone and their mom. I mean, the truck rides smooth and has not broken down or let me down, but these maintenance costs are going to make me go bankrupt!
What's next after I fix the Cat?
Thanks for reading my rant.
The CEL came on about 4 days after replacing my Air/Fuel Ratio Sensor (O2 sensor for California vehicles, which I needed to replace because I had failed SMOG a couple of weeks ago and this sensor was the culprit--replacing it made it pass!), which is very strange, as the CEL had not come on before that. I guess changing the sensor "uncovered" this new failure and the truck was somehow "compensating" before...
This is very strange because like I mentioned, I failed SMOG [apparently] because of the bad A/F sensor. I replaced it and it passed the re-test, but not 4 days after, the CEL came on and it is now [apparently] because of a bad Catalytic Converter...
If the Cat DID go "bad", it must have happened within those 4 days after I passed SMOG, otherwise I would not have passed it even after replacing the A/F sensor.
So now the question is: Where can I find the cheapest Catalytic Converter for my 2000 4Runner V6, 2WD, auto, that meets California Emissions?
I already called one dealer and the OEM Cat costs $886!!!
I am seriously considering selling my 4Runner after replacing sensor after sensor after sensor! It is costing me WAY too much money for these recurrent failures that are not noticeable on my "driving", but give me those peskky CELs.
I am really not seeing any of that "indestructuble" reputation that 4Runners are claimed to have by everyone and their mom. I mean, the truck rides smooth and has not broken down or let me down, but these maintenance costs are going to make me go bankrupt!
What's next after I fix the Cat?
Thanks for reading my rant.
