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Toyota Camry Check Engine Light - Catalytic Converter

150 messages,  Last post on Oct 31, 2012 at 8:23 AM

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What is this discussion about? Toyota Camry, Sedan

Messages Page 14 of 16

#126 of 150 Camry Catalytic Converter by azmustang

May 14, 2011 (8:14 am)

My nephew has a 2006 Camry with a 6 cylinder engine. The car has about 40,000 miles. The engine light had come on, and the cause was determined to be the catalytic converter. Yesterday, our local Toyota dealership replaced the catalytic converter under warranty at no cost.
The diagnosis was that the catalytic converter was inoperable. My curiosity is why would the catalytic converter fail at 40,000 miles? Is it inherent in the way that Toyota specs the manufacturer of these converters? Is it something in the function of the engine exhausts or computer?
I work for a firm that has a fleet of 4 Chevrolet HHR's. They have mileages of 115,000, 136,000, 145,000 and 208,000. As far as I know, none has had a catalytic converter problem.
This is not my first experience with Camry catalytic converter issues. I had a 2001 4 cylinder Camry which required replacement of the catalytic converter at about 100,000 miles. Replacement was necessary because the pipe in front of the converter had rusted and broke.
Not knowing then what I know now, my mechanic replaced it with a non-Toyota after market converter. The engine light came back on, and I was looking at substantial costs ahead of me (front converter, replacing rear converter with Toyota converter) and I decided to cut my losses and trade it in.
Based on people's experiences with Camrys around the 2006 model year, is my nephew going to be looking at converter failures every 40,000 miles? Needless to say, the converter
is not under warranty forever.
Thank you for whatever input that you may have.

#127 of 150 PZEV Camry Catalytic Convertor 15yrs/150,000 warranty in NY by saminny

Jan 30, 2012 (12:55 pm)

       Hi, I have a 2005 PZEV (partial zero emission vehicle- California emission standard) Toyota Camry 4-cylinder in New York, and at 82K the check engine light came on with the Code P0420; upon checking it with my local mechanic I was told that I require a new front catalytic convertor. I contacted few dealers to check if it was under warranty but was told that the warranty for the catalytic convertor is 8 years/80,000 miles (which is the Federal emission warranty). I started googling for the warranty information (unfortunately my pre-owned camry does not have the warranty information hand book) and on few forums found out that for PZEV Honda the warranty is 15years/150,000 miles. I then went to the Toyota customer service website (http://toyota.custhelp.com/) and placed an inquiring about the warranty for the Cat. I got a reply from Toyota about 2 weeks later confirming that the warranty on my Camry is 15 years/150,000 miles because it is a PZEV Camry in New York. Below is the paragraph from the email I received from Toyota.
 
       “For Camry PZEV vehicles, (Partial Zero Emission Vehicles), the applicable warranty for the catalytic converter is extended to 15 years or 150,000 miles for vehicles operated in a state that has adopted California Emissions Coverage. New York adopted this guideline for the 2005 model year and your catalytic converter would be covered for this longer time frame.”
 
       Following weekend I went to the closest Toyota dealer in my area and gave him the copy of the email I received from Toyota and asked him to check his books for the warranty on the Cat. After arguing with him for few minutes he was able to find the paragraph in his manual (which I did not see) which stated this extended warranty for PZEV camry for 15 years/150,000 miles. He then told me I would need to pay diagnostic charges and if its indeed the Cat then the charges will be waived. I asked him to go ahead with fingers crossed and went home. 3 hours later I got a call from the dealer confirming my Cat needs replacement and that he has ordered one and will let me know when it has arrived for me to have it replaced .
    
       So for those of you who want to delay future cost on Catalytic convertor problem with Toyota, my advise is get a California emission vehicle IF AND ONLY IF your state has adopted California emission standard. That way you are covered for 15 years/150,000 miles.

#128 of 150 Noise in Camry 2003 Engine by aasante

Feb 15, 2012 (11:25 am)

Hello,
 
I've been having some noise coming from my engine. The car has only 54850 miles on it. It sounded like it was coming from the exhaust but when an exhaust specialist checked he told me it was from the engine and advised me to take it to the dealership.
 
The dealership couldn't diagnose the problem either but told me that it could be from the intake manifold. They wanted to take the engine apart to be certain but then I wouldn't be able to drive the car. They didn't know how much it was going to cost me but when I insisted on an estimate they said it would cost me close to $1500.00. I thought that wasn't good enough since they didn't know exactly what the problem was. I have since gone to 2 other mechanics who couldn't tell me what the problem is. The last one said it could be from the timing chain being loose.
 
A few times when I've driven the car for sometime I don't hear the noise but most of the time it's there; I've had this noise for about a year or so now.
 
At this point I don't know what to believe. Has anyone had this problem? Any ideas? Any help would be greatly appreciated

#129 of 150 Noise in Camry 2003 engine by aasante

Feb 15, 2012 (12:08 pm)

Hello,
  
I've been having some noise coming from my engine. The car has only 54850 miles on it. It sounded like it was coming from the exhaust but when an exhaust specialist checked he told me it was from the engine and advised me to take it to the dealership.
  
The dealership couldn't diagnose the problem either but told me that it could be from the intake manifold. They wanted to take the engine apart to be certain but then I wouldn't be able to drive the car. They didn't know how much it was going to cost me but when I insisted on an estimate they said it would cost me close to $1500.00. I thought that wasn't good enough since they didn't know exactly what the problem was. I have since gone to 2 other mechanics who couldn't tell me what the problem is. The last one said it could be from the timing chain being loose.
  
A few times when I've driven the car for sometime I don't hear the noise but most of the time it's there; I've had this noise for about a year or so now.
  
At this point I don't know what to believe. Has anyone had this problem? Any ideas? Any help would be greatly appreciated

#130 of 150 P0420 Code, resolution not always expensive by tech_jack

Mar 18, 2012 (7:22 pm)

Replacing catalytic converters and O2 sensors should be the last resort, not the first. These components in most cases are only providing feedback on the underlying issue. These components are very durable and should rarely need replacing. My experience is that they will last the life of the vehicle in most cases.
 
The most common underlying issue is with excessive emmissions. So focus on the simple stuff first:
o Gas cap - Inspect condition of cap ring gasket, if any doubt replace it
o PCV valve - Replace it or thoroughly clean it with throttle body cleaner
o Vacuum leak - Thoroughly check all hoses for looseness or cracks. Also check that each hose contains no clogs. Clogs are more common than you might think.
o Clean fuel injectors - Add a good quality injector cleaner to a tank of gas such as Seafoam.
Performing the above recommendations has resolved the P0420 code for me multiple times among 4 vehicles. And the great part was the small expense.
 
Happy motoring!

#131 of 150 Re: PZEV Camry Catalytic Convertor 15yrs/150,000 warranty in NY [saminny] by danny2030

Mar 23, 2012 (11:14 am)

Replying to: saminny (Jan 30, 2012 12:55 pm)
Hi,
 
is there a number I can call? I just spoke to Plaza Toyota and they are refusing to replace the cat as per manager Mike. I explained what I could but it does not seem to work. They claim its out of warranty. They quoted me $3140. This is crazy!
 
Thank you!

#132 of 150 Re: PZEV Camry Catalytic Convertor 15yrs/150,000 warranty in NY [danny2030] by tech_jack

Mar 23, 2012 (11:36 am)

Replying to: danny2030 (Mar 23, 2012 11:14 am)
It would be extremely rare if your issue is the CAT or O2 sensors. The service advisor knows that. It is most likely an emissions issue caused by something simple.
 
Please focus on my previous recommendations. Then disconnect the battery which will reset the computer. If your battery has top terminals have them cleaned and treated while you have the cables off.
 
I prefer not to post my phone number on this forum. Just send me additional questions as needed.

#133 of 150 Re: PZEV Camry Catalytic Convertor 15yrs/150,000 warranty in NY [tech_jack] by danny2030

Mar 23, 2012 (11:56 am)

Replying to: tech_jack (Mar 23, 2012 11:36 am)
i am pretty sure it is cat converter. its 2006 148000 miles PZEV TOYOTA CAMRY. Dealer confirmed it is cat, but does not want to replace it under the extended warranty.

#134 of 150 Re: PZEV Camry Catalytic Convertor 15yrs/150,000 warranty in NY [danny2030] by tech_jack

Mar 23, 2012 (12:12 pm)

Replying to: danny2030 (Mar 23, 2012 11:56 am)
Cats are extremely durable and should easily last beyond 300K miles. The dealer needs to provide details of their findings. If a cat goes bad it is due to another underlying emissions issue or physical damage.
 
If you do replace it be sure to use the OEM part and not a universal unit.
 
Good luck with this!

#135 of 150 Re: PZEV Camry Catalytic Convertor 15yrs/150,000 warranty in NY [tech_jack] by danny2030

Mar 23, 2012 (11:15 pm)

Replying to: tech_jack (Mar 23, 2012 12:12 pm)
Thank you very much teck jack!
 
Plaza Toyota quoted me $3140 on the phone (they said both front and rear cats had to be replaced) and said the car is out of warranty as per service manager Michael Alvarez (despite the fact its PZEV). . I called 800 number and they easily pulled up warranty info and confirmed it is still under warranty. Cust service rep sent a ticket to Michael Alvarez so he can see its covered. After he saw a ticket he wanted to check the car again and they brought it back from their lot "to make sure". After checking the car the second time they finally changed the estimate to $1100 (changing the paperwork too) saying only front had to be replaced. (???) But this time claiming the air filter is "dirty" and the brakes are "low" so the car is "not properly maintained" and that's why its not covered under the warranty. I don't understand their reasoning at all. The car was checked out by a good mechanic yesterday and he said the car needed nothing else but cat converter. (air filter and brakes seemed fine to him).
 
It is very upsetting that Toyota dealer will treat me like this. I am not going leave it like this and will fight it. Will keep you guys posted.

Messages Page 14 of 16

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