Maybe you’ve observed that your car isn’t running smoothly anymore. Your fuel efficiency seems to be less than typical. Even a bad stench coming from the exhaust could be detected. It is obvious because the check engine light is also on. It’s time to start planning the replacement of your catalytic converter right now. Cost is important because, depending on the make, the part alone can cost anywhere from under $100 to $2,000 or more.
You stay near the lower end of the range if your vehicle is an older model or a diesel. The north end can be reached by a more recent vehicle, such as a Toyota SUV. Fortunately, because less time is required, the labor cost is lower.
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DIY or Get It Repaired?
The part itself accounts for the majority of the expense of replacing your catalytic converter. It is one of those things that could make the job unworkable. That may influence your decision to forego it and look at new car or used truck prices instead.
Usually, getting there doesn’t take much effort. The component is right there in plain view because it is situated between the exhaust manifold and the muffler. Usually, the repair takes less than an hour. Depending on how it’s attached to the vehicle, you can either do it or you can’t.
Many automakers will weld components into place. The catalytic converter replacement process will probably take longer if yours is OEM. To make the repair, the old one will need to be removed using a Sawzall. Where the rubber hits the road is there. If you have the necessary equipment and knowledge, you can complete the task and save yourself about $100 on labor.
A catalytic converter may be bolted into place on some cars. It now falls under the DIY category. The likelihood of the hardware being rusty increases the difficulty of the repair. Using penetrating oil, the job can be completed quickly. However, if a bolt breaks or you are unable to remove them, you are left at a loss and must return to the store.
The Repair Process
A catalytic converter is simple to replace. One piece of specialist equipment, which costs under $20, is necessary for the process. What you’ll need is as follows:
- sensor socket for oxygen
- oil that penetrates
- substitute catalytic converter
- Jack postures
- Set of ratchets and sockets
Purchase the proper component for your vehicle’s make, model, and year. Instead of buying rebuilt, buy new. Place all four wheels of your car on the jack stands to begin. Before you start working on it, let the air circulate to cool off the components.
Track down the catalytic converter. The oxygen sensor and its connections must then be removed using the unique socket. Then, working from the back and moving forward, remove the bolts at the flanges using a ratchet. Do not pressure them. Spray penetrating oil on them as an alternative, and then give it some time to work. Give it one more go.
Then, all that remains is to replace the worn-out component with the new one. The oxygen sensor and its fittings should be changed. You’re ready to go once the catalytic converter is firmly installed.
As you can see, the fix is simple. The only things that make it more difficult and lengthen the catalytic converter replacement process are rusty bolts or a welded component. The task is easily manageable by a do-it-yourself mechanic.
When you’re finished, turn on your car to make sure the check engine light is off. It may indicate a damaged catalytic converter, but it may also indicate an issue with the oxygen sensor. Use a diagnostic scan tool to see if further repair is necessary. You might find it useful.
The catalytic converter in your car is crucial for minimizing the poisonous emissions that contribute to air pollution and climate change. Fortunately, there is a quick repair that won’t take much time. To catch any issues early before they worsen, pay attention to any odd sounds or odors coming from your car.
How much is a catalytic converter for a Nissan Maxima worth?
Estimated cost to replace the catalytic converter in a Nissan Maxima. Nissan Maxima catalytic converter replacements typically cost between $1,852 and $2,272. Between $587 and $740 is the expected cost of labor, while between $1,265 and $1,532 is the projected cost of parts.
Is a new catalytic converter worthwhile?
Nobody wants to drive a loud, underpowered vehicle. You’ll have to deal with problems like engine misfires and a lack of power during acceleration when your car’s catalytic converter isn’t working properly.
Your car’s catalytic converter turns harmful pollutants into gas that is safe to breathe. The catalytic converter should be replaced after a typical lifespan of 10 years. If the converter exhibits any other obvious issues, such as clogging or physical damage, you should also replace it. Replace the catalytic converter on your vehicle. Your engine could completely shut down if the catalytic converter in your car is not fixed or replaced in a timely manner. By cleaning or replacing the blocked catalytic converter, the staff at Performance Muffler is dedicated to ensuring that your car operates efficiently. Learn when it’s appropriate to change a catalytic converter by reading on.
How can a catalytic converter be fixed without having to buy a new one?
Try driving your car for a few tanks of high-octane fuel, for instance, if you usually fill it up with the cheapest low-octane fuel. At your next fill-up, you might also try adding one gallon of lacquer thinner to ten gallons of gasoline to remove catalytic converter deposits.
Reduced performance and/or starting problems
Your catalytic converter’s ceramic honeycomb structure is prone to deterioration, corrosion, and fragmentation. Age, external factors, or other factors may be the cause of this. As a result, the catalytic converter may clog and obstruct the usual passage of exhaust gases through it and the rest of the exhaust system. This will have a direct impact on the engine’s performance, possibly to the point where you can’t even start your automobile. You might observe:
- the requirement to accelerate more quickly to achieve a sufficient level of power
- sluggish acceleration
- decreased fuel efficiency
- Misfiring
- inadequate power
- Stalling
- Hesitation
- No start for the engine
A rattling sound from underneath your car
You might hear them rattling around inside your catalytic converter when the engine starts, runs, or when your automobile hits a bump or a pothole if the ceramic particles inside of it fragment into smaller pieces.
A sulfurous, rotten egg smell from your exhaust
After the fuel-air mixture is burned in the cylinders, the sulfur in your gasoline is converted into foul-smelling hydrogen sulfide gas inside your engine. The hydrogen sulfide is transformed into the odorless sulfur dioxide when your catalytic converter is operating normally. A defective catalytic converter won’t be able to process the hydrogen sulfide, therefore it will exit your exhaust unprocessed and smell strongly like rotten eggs.
Your Check Engine light comes on
All of the emissions-related equipment in your automobile is continually being monitored by the engine computer. The Check Engine light on your dashboard will come on if the computer determines that your catalytic converter is malfunctioning. A mechanic can retrieve a trouble code that will also be shown on the computer. This will assist the mechanic in identifying the precise source of the issue.
You fail an emissions test
If you live in a region where your automobile must undergo emissions testing, you can learn that your catalytic converter is defective when your car fails a required smog or vehicle emissions test. This could be as a result of the test finding a catalytic converter-related issue code in your engine computer, in which case your Check Engine light is likely lit, or as a result of the test finding an excessive amount of unburned fuel in your exhaust.
What is the scrap value of a Nissan catalytic converter?
A catalytic converter’s average scrap value ranges from $300 to $1,500. Because it is made of precious metals, this component is one of the most expensive ones in a car.
How is a catalytic converter checked?
Obtaining an accurate price for the catalytic converter should be your next priority now that you are aware of its worth. We looked for several tools to aid in your price comparison.
The price of platinum, palladium, and rhodium on the open market is also included in this database.
The Eco Cat app, an Ecotrade converter price app, is the alternate choice, which you may download to your phone. There is a monthly subscription fee for this app. But if you only look up one thing per day, you can use it for free.
You must encrypt the unit’s serial number in order to utilize this software. You can also post a picture of the unit you intend to sell if there is no identification.
Visit the Apple App Store, Google Play Store, or App Gallery to download this app. You will be given a quote in the currency of your nation.
What catalytic converters are the most valuable to recycle?
The vehicles with the most expensive catalytic converters, according to data from 2021, are:
- Ram 2500 from Dodge ($4,100)
- Ford Mustang (cost: $1,800)
- Ferrari F430 (catalytic converter price: $4,500)
- Aventador by Lamborghini (3,700 dollars per catalytic converter)
- Ford F250 (3,300 $)
What does this imply for a person who intends to sell their car? Ask a scrap yard and see what they offer you if you want to know how much catalytic converters are worth when you sell your scrapper.
How long does the catalytic converter installation process take?
According to CarMD[*], replacing a damaged catalytic converter is the third most frequent auto repair associated with a check engine light.
An hour is typically needed to install a new catalytic converter. Older catalytic converters are typically easier to repair than more recent ones, but depending on how uncommon your automobile is, replacing one could be more expensive.
Now that you are aware of a few signs of a faulty catalytic converter, make an appointment with your mechanic right away.
You won’t just lose your street legality if your catalytic converter fails; you could also experience poor performance, a rise in fuel costs, and possible internal damage.