GS - 2nd Gen (1998-2005) Discussion about the second generation GS300, GS400 and GS430 (1998 - 2005)

Catalytic converter

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Old 12-22-12, 07:10 PM
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andergr
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Default Catalytic converter

I have a 2001 Lexus GS300 with around 216K miles. Very well maintained. The check engine came on and my mechanic replaced 2 of the O2 sensors. However, the check engine light came on again. I took the car to the Lexus dealer and they are saying I need to replace the Catalytic converter. YIKES on the price. I tried putting fuel injector cleaning in this weekend to see if that will help. Any suggestions?? The car runs fine and I do not smell rotten eggs. Is there a way to clean the convertor? The check engine light comes on and goes out by itself. Not sure what that mean. Thanks
Old 12-22-12, 08:19 PM
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1sikgs
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Sucks, but there is no way to clean the catalytic converter. You're gonna have to bite the bullet and replace it. Eventually there is going to be a lot of build up in the converter and it will restrict exhaust flow, which in turn will reduce your engine power. On the bright side you did get a lot of miles out of the original
Old 12-23-12, 12:17 AM
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sakataj
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check for exhaust leaks and bad vacuum hoses.....they will also produce a CEL.if you dont smell the cat its 99.9% not bad. the fact that it comes off and on by itself sounds to me like you have a exhaust leak.

check here, starting at post # 21

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/gs-...hat-to-do.html

i been battling my code for awhile now and new gaskets/etc havent fixed it but i have a leak on the exhaust but i finally know where mine it coming from.....if u look at that link i supplied and look at the pic in post # 27, mine was on the opposite side in the exact same place

do u have a P0430 code? or what was the code/codes? its hard to help without knowing the code man

also welcome to the family but please search before making any new posts

Last edited by sakataj; 12-23-12 at 12:31 AM.
Old 12-23-12, 09:37 AM
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BiGEZ
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As mentioned above check for exhaust leaks. I replaced the 2 donut gaskets in the mid pipe section and that fixed my problem.
Old 12-23-12, 02:04 PM
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GS4_Fiend
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with that many miles, theres a good chance the cats are bad.
Old 12-23-12, 09:50 PM
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sakataj
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Originally Posted by GS4_Fiend
with that many miles, theres a good chance the cats are bad.
shhhhh john

u have no clue what your talking about here.... ESPECIALLY since he doesnt smell a bad cat its very unlikely his cats are bad and its more likely he has a exhaust leak
Old 12-23-12, 09:56 PM
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1sikgs
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Originally Posted by sakataj
shhhhh john

u have no clue what your talking about here.... ESPECIALLY since he doesnt smell a bad cat its very unlikely his cats are bad and its more likely he has a exhaust leak
A bad smell is not a sign of bad cats. I have quite a few cars coming into my shop with bad cats and I can't recall every having one that caused a bad smell. Granted, we catch these cat issues at the very beginning so I have never had to deal with one that has been run for prolonged periods of time. Maybe neglecting it causes a bad smell
Old 12-23-12, 10:01 PM
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clos430
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Knowing what DTC's OP has will help diagnose this problem properly instead of ASSuming the problem.
Old 12-24-12, 07:37 AM
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sakataj
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Originally Posted by 1sikgs
A bad smell is not a sign of bad cats. I have quite a few cars coming into my shop with bad cats and I can't recall every having one that caused a bad smell. Granted, we catch these cat issues at the very beginning so I have never had to deal with one that has been run for prolonged periods of time. Maybe neglecting it causes a bad smell
a rotten egg smell is a 100% sign of a bad cat, 99% of cats arent bad if they not smelling.

Originally Posted by clos430
Knowing what DTC's OP has will help diagnose this problem properly instead of ASSuming the problem.
yup, thats why i asked for his codes in post 3
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Old 01-17-20, 10:16 PM
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Afoolshake
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Default Can my cat be clean they cost to much

[QUOTE=1sikgs;7665762]A bad smell is not a sign of bad cats. I have quite a few cars coming into my shop with bad cats and I can't recall every having one that caused a bad smell. Granted, we catch these cat issues at the very beginning so I have never had to deal with one that has been run for prolonged periods of time. Maybe neglecting it causes a bad smell[/QUO
Old 01-17-20, 10:17 PM
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Afoolshake
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Default Cat cost alot

Are there any places i can get a cat manifold for cheap
Old 01-18-20, 12:44 AM
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DundukovEM
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Help yourself by watching a video on YouTube with the installation of O2 sensor spacers
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Scraape (01-20-20)
Old 01-18-20, 04:19 PM
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Crispins
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Originally Posted by DundukovEM
Help yourself by watching a video on YouTube with the installation of O2 sensor spacers

This is what I was going to post as well as what I would do.
Old 01-20-20, 04:27 PM
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SidhuGs300
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Originally Posted by Afoolshake
Are there any places i can get a cat manifold for cheap
yeah, amazon magnaflow direct fit that will need the oem gaskets to work properly. It's California carb legal and 2 day shipping for about $1200.
Old 01-20-20, 06:37 PM
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You could use this as a simple fix: https://www.ebay.com/itm/113986503817
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