t.Odd

I have an '04 Lexus ES330 with 85,000 miles and the dealer is telling me that the catalytic converter needs replacing ($1000).

Does that seem right? I would think it would last much longer.

Thanks

Megafast13

That doesn't sound right to me?!?

GEORGE_JET

So did the dealer say exactly why it needed to be replaced?

GSteg

iTrader: (15)

Did you get a Check Engine Light? If not, then no worries.

JSM1284

Too bad cat conv warranty is only 8yrs/80k miles.... Did you have a P0420 trouble code?

t.Odd

It was running like crap on a trip to CA last week, got a check engine light. Took it to CA dealer while there, they said it was just a fouled plug but on the way back it did it again (with CE light) and now they're saying it's shot. Figures I just missed the warranty!

03 ES

most catalytic converters fail around 100k+

i replaced mine under warrenty on my 2003 ES at 74k for the sulfer smell issue

Lexusfreak

Do you service the car regularly at a Lexus dealer? If so, many times when the warranty has just expired they will at least meet you half way with the repair (speak with the service manager, he/she might 'go to bat' for you)....they did that on my Wife's 2003 Forester.....12,000 miles after the warranty expired & we needed new head gaskets.

GEORGE_JET

A foulded plug would allow unburned fuel to pass to the cat Which could cause it to overheat. How far did you drive? I sorry to hear your plight, and realize that it is not always practical to stop when the misfire starts. I would recomend to other people that doing a tune-up earlier than recomended can sometimes be a good idea.

BoostedE21

If you fouled a plug that bad, wouldn't the computer throw a missfire code?

GEORGE_JET

In post #6 he states that there was a CEL, and that he was told the code was for a misfire.

rlx101

so pretty much a 10$ plug f..d up 1000$ part? crazy

BoostedE21

Wouldn't the V6 camry cat work on the ES? If so, I would just find one of those in a junk yard and have an exhaust shop swap them out.