Replacing Cat Converter in California

[giguchan]

What a weird thing to steal.

I remember that this was a big deal a few years ago... i had no idea that folks were still doing it. I think it's the precious metals rhodium and something else i think.. anybody?

i'll stay out of Eureka thanks for the tip...


Now to the real question..
What the heck do you mean Food stamps for Dogs?

 

[bikerjosh]

Hey man that guy installed my replacement after my magnaflow 49 state burned up (bought runner out of state) Another thumbs up for Broadway Muffler, straight shooter.
Yep, two rigs had there cats stolen last October in my office buildings open parking lot in Emeryville, CA at 10AM in the morning. Scum sucking f$%king jackholes. If there is a god they will all die a horrible suffering death. Happy Friday:uzi:

I had mine stolen out of my '98 V6 4Runner, single cat not dual.

I had a shop throw an aftermarket on. BY FAR these guys are the cheapest in the Bay area that I could find. $400 out the door

Broadway Muffler
2596 North Main Street
Walnut Creek, CA 94597
(925) 933-4373

It is definitely legal to use an aftermarket cat in CA, they are just hard to come by and very particular about installing it properly etc.

I looked the OEM route as well and was disgusted - $2300 and they wanted to replace the whole system headers to muffler. BS :gun4:

 

[Atreyus]

My brother recently got his cat stolen in El Monte, CA. It cost $140 to get it replaced at a local shop in El Monte. damn ghetto place where he got jacked so it was coming to him lol.

 

[ryanarcane]

Hi

Reviving old thread here. I am looking for feedback how long did the after market CATs last, how long before the check engine light came on and name of brand used. That would be very helpful. Thanks.

 

[thenightman]

Ca. resident here (unfortunately). Have front and rear magnaflow cats. They smog fine. Does not throw codes, or cause MIL to illuminate. Installed in 2017 I think. Only problem so far is the etched in code on the bottom of the cat Is hard to read after a few years. The smog tech is supposed to verify those numbers to make sure the cat is legal.

 

[ryanarcane]

Ca. resident here (unfortunately). Have front and rear magnaflow cats. They smog fine. Does not throw codes, or cause MIL to illuminate. Installed in 2017 I think. Only problem so far is the etched in code on the bottom of the cat Is hard to read after a few years. The smog tech is supposed to verify those numbers to make sure the cat is legal.

That's definitely encouraging, unfortunately MagnaFlow doesn't make C.A.R.B. anymore, but I think if you have CARB you will have at least 5 years of warranty. I was looking at CARB approved AP Emissions, but their front cats are ~ 300 and OEM is ~400 I don't know what to do about that. The back CATs are ~800 but AP Emissions has em for ~350. I was thinking of just replacing the rear ones for now. As a precaution I was thinking of doing a full diagnosis of how the CATs went bad in the first place including:

1) check for head gasket leaks
2) worn Piston rings
3) any molten rubber sealant
4) vacuum leak
5) clean throttle body and Mass Air FLow Sensor
6) Replace SPark Plugs and coil packs including the rubber seal rings

I was thinking of doing a fuel injection cleanup service first.

I was thinking just as a preemptive measure to test out the rear CATs from the manufacturer first and then go on to check. And then do a full overhaul if CEL comes back on.

 

[gamefreakgc]

That's definitely encouraging, unfortunately MagnaFlow doesn't make C.A.R.B. anymore, but I think if you have CARB you will have at least 5 years of warranty. I was looking at CARB approved AP Emissions, but their front cats are ~ 300 and OEM is ~400 I don't know what to do about that. The back CATs are ~800 but AP Emissions has em for ~350. I was thinking of just replacing the rear ones for now. As a precaution I was thinking of doing a full diagnosis of how the CATs went bad in the first place including:

1) check for head gasket leaks
2) worn Piston rings
3) any molten rubber sealant
4) vacuum leak
5) clean throttle body and Mass Air FLow Sensor
6) Replace SPark Plugs and coil packs including the rubber seal rings

I was thinking of doing a fuel injection cleanup service first.

I was thinking just as a preemptive measure to test out the rear CATs from the manufacturer first and then go on to check. And then do a full overhaul if CEL comes back on.

Magnaflow does make CARB approved catalytic converters, I just bought one 3 weeks ago. Just depends on the year. for 96-98, this one is approved: MagnaFlow California Grade CARB Compliant Universal Catalytic Converter

For other years, use this page to find the right one: 2002 Toyota 4Runner Catalytic Converters | MagnaFlow.

So far, the smell test says it's working great. My old cat smelled terribly like sulfur at startup and the new Magnaflow just smells like... well exhaust. I have a smog check due in 2 months so that'll be the real test.

 

[Traveler74]

Buy one from AZ or NV.....

That definitely will NOT work. California legal CATS are clearly stamped with special numbers.

Buying one from a California wrecking yard has a good chance of success. Rent a cutting torch and just take it with you and cut one off the newest T4R you can find.

 

[boatlee]

Had that happen to a buddy. Cliaim with insurance they will cover it due to covid and it being a common crime now a days. He got paid out a couple thousand

Sent from my SM-G988U using Tapatalk

 

[IBallEngineer]

That's definitely encouraging, unfortunately MagnaFlow doesn't make C.A.R.B. anymore, but I think if you have CARB you will have at least 5 years of warranty. I was looking at CARB approved AP Emissions, but their front cats are ~ 300 and OEM is ~400 I don't know what to do about that. The back CATs are ~800 but AP Emissions has em for ~350. I was thinking of just replacing the rear ones for now. As a precaution I was thinking of doing a full diagnosis of how the CATs went bad in the first place including:

1) check for head gasket leaks
2) worn Piston rings
3) any molten rubber sealant
4) vacuum leak
5) clean throttle body and Mass Air FLow Sensor
6) Replace SPark Plugs and coil packs including the rubber seal rings

I was thinking of doing a fuel injection cleanup service first.

I was thinking just as a preemptive measure to test out the rear CATs from the manufacturer first and then go on to check. And then do a full overhaul if CEL comes back on.

Misfires are the #1 reason cats fail. This has been true since the advent of computer control in the 80's. Before that it was running too rich that melted them down completely. I have vivid memories of going down the freeway and seeing a late 70's Ford with the cat glowing read like it was inside a giant furnace. I just replaced the front cat on my son's 2000 with CA emissions. Cost me $250 installed for a CARB legal cat. We did replace the spark plugs and the wires because it was WAY down on power. Did not do coil packs. It runs as it should now, and I have no doubt the misfire it was experiencing caused the CAT failure. Previous owner was NOT good at maintaining this thing.

 

[phattyduck]

Misfires are the #1 reason cats fail.

This for sure. Unburnt air/fuel is read by upstream O2 sensor as lean condition and extra fuel is injected. At the same time, unburnt air and fuel are hitting the cat and overheating it. Long periods running rich (well, catalyzing rich exhaust) ruins cats.

-Charlie

 

[rrodness1970]

Going through this now! I'm still confused. Lol!! The previous owner had a new cat installed prior to my purchasing, passed Smog and sell went through, no issues. First time I had to have it smogged, all went well. Last year I failed for missing one cat, and for the one I have on, being the wrong one for my engine family???? Another thing that pisses me off is how they label it on the Smog test results. They label it as "tampered", which sounds malicious. Anyways, im trying to locate the correct part numbers so I can get this handled. By chance can anyone provide me the part numbers and approximate cost? Aftermarket preferred of course. I've searched but cannot locate them. Am I supposed to have two cats? Are they sold separately or are they sold together? Has anyone successfully had the dame problem corrected? This has been a nightmare. This truck is going to be my son's for college and I want to always hold onto it. I love it and just want to get this put behind me. If anyone can help, I would truly appreciate it. Thank you all for your help, and the information on this site. Always very helpful folks on here and just knowing that help can be found and shared with each other is fantastic. It's truly a brotherhood type of feel here and I sincerely appreciate the information. Take care all and I pray to hopefully hear from any and all that can aid me.

 

[gamefreakgc]

Going through this now! I'm still confused. Lol!! The previous owner had a new cat installed prior to my purchasing, passed Smog and sell went through, no issues. First time I had to have it smogged, all went well. Last year I failed for missing one cat, and for the one I have on, being the wrong one for my engine family???? Another thing that pisses me off is how they label it on the Smog test results. They label it as "tampered", which sounds malicious. Anyways, im trying to locate the correct part numbers so I can get this handled. By chance can anyone provide me the part numbers and approximate cost? Aftermarket preferred of course. I've searched but cannot locate them. Am I supposed to have two cats? Are they sold separately or are they sold together? Has anyone successfully had the dame problem corrected? This has been a nightmare. This truck is going to be my son's for college and I want to always hold onto it. I love it and just want to get this put behind me. If anyone can help, I would truly appreciate it. Thank you all for your help, and the information on this site. Always very helpful folks on here and just knowing that help can be found and shared with each other is fantastic. It's truly a brotherhood type of feel here and I sincerely appreciate the information. Take care all and I pray to hopefully hear from any and all that can aid me.

Pop open your hood and look at the smog sticker that is stuck on the underside of the hood itself. It should look like this:

In the top left hand corner, this sticker says "SFI, A/F S, TWC(2) HO2S". Can you post what yours says? That way we will know what kind of emissions your 4Runner has and needs. Also please let us know if the sticker makes ANY mention of California like this one does.

 

[Endlessblockades]

Pop open your hood and look at the smog sticker that is stuck on the underside of the hood itself. It should look like this:

In the top left hand corner, this sticker says "SFI, A/F S, TWC(2) HO2S". Can you post what yours says? That way we will know what kind of emissions your 4Runner has and needs. Also please let us know if the sticker makes ANY mention of California like this one does.

That's the ticket, but keep in mind that a PO might have swapped hoods. Mine has a sticker that says TRD Supercharger, but alas, the hood has something the engine does not. 2 cats for CA is what you need if the Newark in your profile is East Bay and not NJ.

 

[Romeo1]

Magnaflow sells replacements. 3 grades Depending on model.

There’s 2 California grades. The “original” OEM level, and the newer standard LEV if I remember right. I have a set in the garage of the OE magnaflow Cali converters. I just need to get them in one of these days.

Their website is good for showing what’s needed.

 

[Romeo1]

This for sure. Unburnt air/fuel is read by upstream O2 sensor as lean condition and extra fuel is injected. At the same time, unburnt air and fuel are hitting the cat and overheating it. Long periods running rich (well, catalyzing rich exhaust) ruins cats.

-Charlie

Yep. Previous owner ruined my set. They thought spark plugs were lifetime parts apparently.

 

[rrodness1970]

Thank you. I will get the tag uploaded. I appreciate all responses!!!!

 

[rrodness1970]

Sorry, upload keeps failing. This is what it says, and yes it mentions California.

Engine family: XTYXT03.4DBP
Evap Family: XTYXE0095AE0

THIS VEHICLE CONFORMS TO U.S. EPA NLEV REGS. APPLICABLE TO GAS FUELED 1999 MODEL YEAR NEW TLEV LIGHT DUTY TRUCKS & TO CALIFORNIA REGS. APPLICABLE TO 1999 MODEL YEAR NEW TLEV LIGHT DUTY TRUCKS.

CATALYST
OBD II CERTIFIED

 

[gamefreakgc]

Sorry, upload keeps failing. This is what it says, and yes it mentions California.

Engine family: XTYXT03.4DBP
Evap Family: XTYXE0095AE0

THIS VEHICLE CONFORMS TO U.S. EPA NLEV REGS. APPLICABLE TO GAS FUELED 1999 MODEL YEAR NEW TLEV LIGHT DUTY TRUCKS & TO CALIFORNIA REGS. APPLICABLE TO 1999 MODEL YEAR NEW TLEV LIGHT DUTY TRUCKS.

CATALYST
OBD II CERTIFIED

Ok, so you have a 1999 with California emissions. My voodoo 4Runner smog skills are a bit weak today and I can't recall the specific smog setup on a 99. Can you also type of the phrase I mentioned above? It should say something like "SFI, A/F S, TWC(2) HO2S".

I believe that you do have a version that need to have two catalytic converters but, like others said, you don't live in California. Where this gets real weird is I don't know if your state allows for an emissions modification in taking a CA specific smog rule and reducing that down to one catalytic converter. These cats are not cheap, even a Magnaflow converter is $500+ (which I recommened, I also have one on mine). I would call another smog shop and get another opinion. The fact that one shop passed it with one cat and the next failed it means it may be a little known rule or subjective decision.

In my smog experiences here in CA, there's smog guys who spend all their spare time reading regulations and know everything down to the punctuation. Then there's smog shops that just make sure it's 'good enough'. I suggest finding a shop that thinks one cat is 'good enough'. I have one of those around here that passes my very smog illegal 4Runner every two years.

 

[rrodness1970]

Sorry, I'm an idiot.

SFI, HO2S(2), TWC

And actually i do live in California. I'm in Sacramento. My mistake for not being clear. Sorry for causing all of the trouble by having you reiterate needed information. I appreciate your help and patience.