sxwk12

Hendrick Lexus in Charlotte says I need a new cat converter (1 O2 sensor has been bad for years, just never got it replaced). There's no apparent smell to the car right now. $850 for part. $1077.92 for parts and labor. I've read on here that it will only mess up the gas mileage and that they shouldn't even go out. I plan on keeping this car for a long time, got 180,000 miles now.

If it was your 99 GS300, would you replace it now or wait til later and get a muffler shop to do it for much less.

Sidney

UncleRay

iTrader: (2)

I honestly would only change the cat converter if there are any leakages in your exhaust system from the gasket connecting it to your Y connector. It has nothing to do with the O2 sensors. Unless I'm wrong, someone please correct me.

excluesive

iTrader: (10)

it will foul the o2 sensor, but really, go to a muffler shop and have them put in a high flow cat and save youself a pretty penny. sorry im late

mikeloc24

Take your $$$ elsewhere. Just find a reputable muffler shop.

After the repair, please report back what the muffler shop cost was if possible. Thanks.

macd7919

iTrader: (10)

You can get a high flow actual cat (not just a test pipe) from Random Technologies, they perform better than stock, aren't illegal and if I remember correctly they are about $250.

Here is a link to a place that sells them:
http://www.sportcompactonly.com/Cata...55_pl-4085.htm

I'm pretty sure Summit racing/Jegs sells them as well and can probably have one to you in no time for a good price.

19psi

i know i'm late, but you don't needt oreplace it. it does nothing against mpg unless it's clogged. your 02 sensor will affect mpg if it's the front one. the after cat 02 does nothing for mpg.

Lexmex

You can get a Magnaflow cat on the net for under $100 USD, that is what I did. I am curious if they told you what code they pulled up, should usually be a P0420 OBD2 code that is almost constantly coming up either off an on or all the time.

werewolf

Don't forget the $300 oil change...use this dealer only when you have to...

sxwk12

Well, I didn't do it. I figured I could get something much cheaper somewhere else. The only reason why I like using Hendrick Lexus is because they give out loaner cars. Our cheap @$$ Lexus dealer here in Columbia, Jim Hudson doesn't give out loaner cars.

They are changing out my oil control valve ($336.00) CEL code p0414 and 1 of the o2 sensors ($293.71) CEL code p0155, that I didn't change when I did the timing belt job 2 years ago. Now I just don't have time to work on my own car.

They wanted $315.00 for the front brake job and $315.00 for the back. That's when I said, "Uh, no that's okay. I'll do it myself."

Actually they only wanted $70.00 for the oil change. Told them no way on that one too.

Thanks for the responses. I will find me a cat online and get it replaced somewhere in town.

Sidney

magnetik

iTrader: (1)

my olds 442 had clogged cats and my muffler shop just drilled a small hole before the cat and after the cat. They then placed a pressure guage into the holes and the pressure pegged in the hole before the cat and 0 pressure after. He then just put on a new cat and tack welded the hole.

I would just take it to a reputable muffler shop. (not like Midas) but preferrably a local shop. Mufflers aren't rocket science. You could also prob have them change out your o2 sensors if they are fouled.

mikeloc24

Yeah, for realz. I used to be one of those guys who would say, "Hey, I drive a Lexus...paying a grip for things just goes with the territory!" Not anymore, I've been ripped off too many times by the dealer so I know there's better deals to be had for the same parts/labor.