There are two catalytic converters in Toyota Rav4s. The front one and the second one both bolt directly to the manifold at the front of the exhaust system. Usually, the back converter is the one that breaks out. After some time, converters start to clog, overheat, and break down inside. They may also develop cracked or exhaust-leaking input or outlet pipes. It will take skill to replace them.
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Step 1
Place a car lift underneath the Toyota Rav4 and raise it all the way up. Put the tool cart with all the mentioned tools inside, then move it close to you so you can readily access the tools while it’s out of the way. Set up the ratchet with a long extension, the swivel, and the socket to remove the five nuts leading to the manifold. In some instances, you might need to swap the socket with a nut extractor if the nuts are damaged.
Step 2
Don your safety glasses, then use the striker to start the torch. Use the torch to warm the nuts, being cautious not to overheat the studs. It’s a confined space, so you’ll need to know how to use a torch and manage the flame’s intensity to make it both tiny enough to work and hot enough to succeed. Turn off the flame when the nut turns cherry red and use the ratchet, extension, swivel, and socket or nut extractor to remove it. Repeat these steps for the remaining four nuts.
Step 3
Light the torch, then remove the two or three bolts from the rear flange (some rear converters have a three-bolt intake, while others have two Rav4s). To prevent damaging the rear converter, cut them from the side of the front converter. Put on the safety gloves, turn off the torch after the bolts have been cut flush to the flange, and then use a punch and hammer to remove the remaining portion of the bolt from the flange. The front converter will drop out as soon as it is released, so be prepared to move out of the way or catch it.
Step 4
Give the system some time to cool. By manually threading on some new bolts, attach the top of the front converter to the manifold with a fresh gasket. Use the pneumatic gun, extension (either little or long), swivel, and socket to tighten them one at a time until they are secure.
Attach the hardware after inserting the gasket into the back of the front converter flange connection (bolts, nuts, washers). Hold the head of the nuts in place using a hand wrench while tightening with the gun, the little extension (if required), swivel, and other tools. Lower the Rav4 and start it up to check for any potential exhaust leaks. Remove the cart, tools, and any other clutter from the floor.
Find the oxygen sensor fastened to the rear converter while the Rav4 is raised on a hoist. Follow the wire to the plug, then disconnect it to separate it. To press the clip lock in, you might need the screwdriver. Place the tools nearby and load the cart as you did with the front converter.
Don your safety glasses, then use the striker to start the torch. With the torch, remove the bolts from the front flange connection. To prevent harm to the front converter flange, cut them from the rear converter side of the flange. Turn off the torch once the bolts are cut flush to the flange and then remove them using a punch and hammer. For the rear converter to rear exhaust pipe flange, repeat this procedure. When the final bolt is punched through, take caution. The converter will try to fall, but you’ll see that it is still fastened to an exhaust hanger made of rubber. Take the converter’s hook off the hanger.
Bolts on the oxygen sensor studs should be removed. You could need the extractor nuts to assist you because they might have degraded. You shouldn’t be concerned about the nuts or studs becoming damaged. The studs are a component of the converter, and you will replace the nuts. The new converter will have new studs. The oxygen sensor is all that is required.
The new converter should now contain the oxygen sensor. Replace the nuts and gasket (with the new converter) and tighten them using a ratchet, an extension, and a socket.
With the use of a gasket and hardware, attach the front flange to the front converter by inserting the hook from the new converter through the rubber hanger (bolts, washers, nuts). Using the gasket and hardware, secure the converter’s rear flange to the flange of the rear exhaust pipe. Utilizing the gun, swivel, socket, and hand wrench, tighten the bolts and nuts. Reconnect the oxygen sensor to the plug. To check for any potential exhaust leaks, remove the cart, tools, and other debris. Then, lowering the Rav4 and starting the engine.
- auto lift
- device cart
- Set for nut extraction
- pneumatic pistol with a 3/8-inch drive
- Ratchet, 3/8-inch drive
- lengthened 3/8-inch drive extension
- short extension with a 3/8-inch drive
- Impact swivel with 3/8-inch drive
- Impact metric socket set with a 3/8-inch drive
- Combination metric box end and open end hand wrench set
- philips screwdriver
- security lenses
- protective gloves
- torch for acetylene with a striker
- Hammer
- Punch with a long stem
- replacement gaskets, converter(s), and hardware
Catalytic converters for RAV4s are they stolen?
However, not all catalytic converters are sought-after by thieves. Some models are more valuable because they include more precious metals. Other cars purify exhaust fumes more effectively, so the valuable metals in their converters aren’t rusted or tainted as much.
If you drive one of the following makes or models, you might want to adjust how you park or make a purchase to secure your catalytic converter:
Toyota Prius
For Prius hybrid vehicles manufactured between 2004 and 2009, catalytic converter theft reportedly surged 40-fold in 2020. Over the past 24 months, around 6% of insured ’04-’09 Prius owners filed insurance claims for Prius converter theft, compared to less than 0.1 percent in 2016. This is due to the regular second-generation Toyota Prius catalytic converter’s (CD3+EA6) average scrap price of nearly $1,000.
It’s riskier to purchase an older Prius because catalytic converter changes might be expensive as well. In extreme cases, a catalytic converter thief might also cause damage to other crucial parts, which might even cause the automobile to be written off. You obviously don’t want this to occur to you.
If you have an earlier Prius model, you might want to sell it and buy a more recent model that is less likely to be broken into. Even a 2017 Prius is a wiser purchase because it still gets good fuel economy and their catalytic converter can be scrapped for less than $500, making the risk of theft much reduced.
Trucks
Trucks like the Toyota Tacoma and Tacoma are common candidates for converter theft because of their greater ride height. Thieves may simply slide underneath the car, remove the catalytic converter, and go on their way without having to jack it up.
Hybrid Vehicles
The most vulnerable vehicles to catalytic converter theft are hybrid SUVs and automobiles. This covers all hybrid automobiles, including the Toyota Prius, Honda Insight, RAV4 Hybrid, and Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid. Always protect your hybrid car against cat theft by adhering to the advice below.
A Toyota has how many catalytic converters?
In a Toyota Tundra, how many catalytic converters are there? Let’s just pretend that there are sufficient numbers to do the task.
A Toyota Tundra has three catalytic converters. The two rear converters are situated behind the mufflers, while the primary converter is situated in front of the engine.
The number of catalytic converters in a Toyota Tundra and their significance will be covered in the article.
How much does a Toyota RAV4 catalytic converter replacement cost?
Estimated cost to replace the catalytic converter in a Toyota RAV4. Between $1,308 and $1,359 is the typical price range for a Toyota RAV4 catalytic converter replacement. While parts are priced between $1,147 and $1,156, labor is predicted to cost between $161 and $203 per hour.
What is the cost of a Toyota catalytic converter?
When sold as scrap, Toyota catalytic converters can fetch between $75 and $700. Depending on the brand and model of the car, a catalytic converter’s price can change. The Toyota Prius has some of the most expensive catalytic converters.
The most popular vehicles for catalytic converter theft are what cars?
Despite the fact that thefts of catalytic converters are frequently crimes of opportunity, many criminals target particular vehicles because of the cost of the catalytic converter, the prevalence of the vehicles, and the ease with which the catalytic converter may be accessed.
CARFAX discovered that the following automobiles are the most frequently targeted for catalytic converter theft by consulting their partner repair facilities:
These are merely the models, though, whose catalytic converters are stolen most frequently. Depending on a few additional conditions, your car may also be vulnerable to catalytic converter theft. Here is an example of the car kinds that are even more vulnerable to catalytic converter theft:
Luxury vehicles
With a staggering price tag of $3,770 per unit, the Ferrari F430 wins the Most Valuable Catalytic Converter Award. Given that the F430 has two converters, they make for a sizable target for thieves.
Catalytic converters for Lamborghinis are likewise exceedingly expensive, costing on average $3,000 each.
Hybrid vehicles
The catalytic converter of a car tends to be more valued the more emission-friendly the vehicle is. The entire cost of these automobiles rises because they require more of the pricey metal palladium.
Older vehicles
Catalytic converters in larger, older automobiles are more valuable than those in newer, more efficient vehicles because to their concentration of valuable metals and general lack of environmental friendliness.
SUVs and trucks
Two factors influence the targeting of larger vehicles and SUVs. First off, a bigger engine translates into a more expensive catalytic converter. For instance, at a startling $2,000, the catalytic converters on the Dodge Ram 2500 are almost as valuable as those on Ferraris.
Second, their height from the ground makes it simpler for thieves to steal their converters.
Other models with valuable catalytic converters
Of course, there are vehicles that don’t fit into any one category but feature catalytic converters that are more useful for a variety of reasons.
How many catalytic converters are there in a 4 cylinder Toyota Tacoma?
A Tacoma with four cylinders has a single pipe running between the exhaust manifold and the muffler as the mid-pipe. Both the primary and secondary catalytic converters are located in the mid-pipe.
A V6 engine truck has a y-shaped mid-pipe. To connect to the exhaust manifold on each side, or bank, of the engine, the front has two distinct input flanges.
To connect to the single muffler, the two pipes combine into one pipe. Prior to the merge point, the two secondary catalytic converters are merged into the mid-pipe.
A automobile has how many catalytic converters.
One catalytic converter is standard in most automobiles. However, if your vehicle has a dual exhaust system, it will also have two catalytic converters.
How can the catalytic converter on a RAV4 be safeguarded?
Because they may be quickly and easily taken, catalytic converters are prone to theft. Replacement catalytic converters are pricey. By engraving the license plate number on your vehicle, parking in well-lit places, and installing an anti-theft device, you can assist prevent catalytic converter theft.