check engine light and cats

[janesvilledave]

hi, I have an '03 4runner, v6. The check engine light and vsc and vsc off lights came on. Took it to a dealer and they said the codes indicated that the catalytic convertors were bad. The price for replacement came in around $1900 dollars. Before i do anything, would appreciate any and all feeback on this issue, the truck runs fine, the mpg indicator shows an average of 21 mpg. What shold i do? thanks, dave.

 

[AK602]

Hey,
I have a few questions for you. I worked as a service advisor for toyota for many years.

How much milage is on the truck
The federal govt requires all auto manufacturers to warranty emissions devices for 8/80,000 or 10/100,00 I cannot recall which.

Second, the truck seems to be running fine from what you say, what grade fuel are you running. I have seen vehicles throw a check engine light from a boderline cat when running regular fuel. Changing up a grade or two stops the light.

My first question is most important, they hace to cover the cats, 02sensors and alot of emissions devices. I can contact my friends at toyota if need be.

 

[AK602]

I did some reaserch.

i found this....

http://www.epa.gov/oms/consumer/warr95fs.txt


I believe its 8/80

 

[janesvilledave]

AK, the 4runner has 118,000 miles, and the emissions system is out of warranty. I only run regular 87 octane fuel, I will try a higher octane as you recommend and see what happens. I was also wondering is anything else can trip the check engine light that might lead to a false read on the cats, replacement is so expensive as the cats are in the two front pipes, they also are pricing in new oxygen sensors just to be sure. I called a local meinecke shop and they said they can replace the cats for around $450.; i believe they will cut them out and weld in new ones. I really do not want to do that. I apppreciate your response, thank you, anything else you can add please do. dave.

 

[96dcmss]

I was also wondering is anything else can trip the check engine light that might lead to a false read on the cats, replacement is so expensive as the cats are in the two front pipes, they also are pricing in new oxygen sensors just to be sure.

Do you know what the code was exactly? Sounds like they don't know if it is a bad sensor, or a working sensor, and bad cat(s).

They want to replace both cats, and both after cat O2s? Or are we talking just one bank?

 

[AK602]

Dave,
Try the fuel first. I never really liked aftermarket catalytic converters. They have a precise job, not like a muffler. Up the fuel and drive it for a bit. See where it takes you.

Aron

 

[AK602]

I agree, it could be one bad sensor and the dealer is changing the whole shabang because thats what they do.. I know all to well, I used to have to sell the stuff. Thats why I changed jobs, I needed to be able to sleep at night.

 

[janesvilledave]

Sorry for taking so long to get back to the posts. I took the 4runner to a local meinecke shop, with their diagnostic equipment they said that one of the downstream sensors was shorting out. I replaced all the sensors (both air/fuel and both O2); they were right, check engine light is off. Cost of parts and labor about $500 Warning: I took the 4runner to two different toyota garages, both said codes indicated weak cats; their estimates were $1900 nd $2200 for replacement; the $2200 estimate included replacing all four sensors too. I have received help over this forum and hope this post will help someone too.