timing belt or catylitic converter??

[runnahmike]

Hey guys, what do you guys think is more important?
I have 102K on my 2000 SR5.
Timing belt was on my radar...then the check engine light went on and its p0420...a bad cat!!

This sucks! But im leaning to the belt/pump first.

Also, is it worth going oem with the cat?
Things are almost a grand:bash: :bash: :bash: :bash: :bash: :bash: :bash: :bash: :bash:
Thanks

 

[Stick Figure]

regarding the p0420 code, mine comes on once and a while, but only under certain conditions ..... like hitting a lot of water on a trail and doing a very rapid cool down of the cat, or doing a LOT of slow driving causing the cat to not get up to temp. In normal everyday conditions driving to and from work, across town to pick up parts etc, there is never an issue. Are you sure the cat is actually bad? also it could just be the sensor itself that is malfunctioning and not the cat.

as to the real question of which one to do first, if the cat really is bad, it could cause some problems w/ fuel economy, of course more emissions which if your state is like CA and has these damn mobile road side stations, it could be a potentially expensive problem. I would probably fix whats broken first, but i would also pull the front cover off to inspect the belt, and see how bad it really is.

Miles of use is not really the best indication of how warn an item is, its just the easiest guide for the average person to follow for maintenance purposes.

 

[RonMAIDEN]

An aftermarket cat is fine and will save you more than a few hundred bucks.

 

[Charlee78]

I had this code a year ago and it was the rear o2 sensor that was bad. Did you saw the data list to make sure it's the cat?

Personnaly, I would do the belt and water pump first unless your cat is blocked. That's what I did with my truck anyway...

 

[97-4xFunner]

I had this code a year ago and it was the rear o2 sensor that was bad. Did you saw the data list to make sure it's the cat?

X2 We see this issue in our shop on a regular basis. Often the issue is an O2 sensor, but a shadetree mechanic won't catch it. Or perhaps the owner of a Runner that used a borrowed scan tool from Kragen, Autozone etc.

 

[runnahmike]

Thanks guys for the replies.

I'm not actually positive its the cat. The code could be a o2 sensor as wel. I will have to find out for sure first.

I had the code read at an autozone, because its free. But I'll have to take it to my mechanic
(who specializes in toyota's) To pinpoint.

I hope its just the sensor!

 

[SIKHILUXSURF]

yeah i just did my t belt and alot of other components at 102k parts alone cost me about 500 bucks since i bought all the belts, the seals idler bearings top and bottom tensioner and all the little nick nacks since im gonna drive it for another 100k plus so might as well do the work.

 

[ChildrenOfBodom]

Hey! speaking of the 02 sensor

I thought maybe it could be dirty like the maf gets..

Is it wise to clean the 02 sensors with Electric Contact Cleaner? maybe that'd save even having to buy a new one?

enlighten me!

 

[runnahmike]

*UPDATE*

A friend told me that when the check engine light comes on his rig, all he does is take her up on the highway and open her up...and in a few miles, the light goes out.

Wel, I tried that and IT WORKED!
He also said to stop using regular gas.
Now, I always use to use premium, but after the spike in prices lat year I stopped.
If all I have to do is that....im in!

....now on to the timing belt :bash:

 

[One_96TR4]

*UPDATE*

A friend told me that when the check engine light comes on his rig, all he does is take her up on the highway and open her up...and in a few miles, the light goes out.

Wel, I tried that and IT WORKED!
He also said to stop using regular gas.
Now, I always use to use premium, but after the spike in prices lat year I stopped.
If all I have to do is that....im in!

....now on to the timing belt :bash:

That could just be a temporary solution. I'd keep an eye on it and see what happens. Regular gas should have nothing to do with it so that shouldn't matter. If you do need to change out the cat I'd go with a universal magnaflow. You could probably pick one up for 60bucks and then 50-60to install it. As for if I had to choose between a timing belt and cat, I'd change the cat. If it's bad it could kill your mileage and cause other things to go bad. The motors are non-interferance so worst case and the t-belt breaks your not causing harm just an inconvience. Of course circumstances change and if the belt has like 200k on it then that would be a priorty.

 

[runnahmike]

ANOTHER UPDATE!

I took it to my mechanic and after hooking it up to the machine, he could tell it was the cat that threw the code.
He agreed that if it wasn't throwing the code anymore to forget about it.

I decided to get keep my appointment with him to take care of the belt.
Actually he quoted me $600 for the Timing, A/C, and Power steering belts, water pump and coolant flush and fill.