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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 15 of 15

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

Mar 29, 2012 (8:19 am)

Replying to: danny2030 (Mar 29, 2012 7:01 am)
Your other post was removed as we don't permit phone numbers to be posted here.

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

Apr 05, 2012 (10:38 pm)

Replying to: saminny (Mar 29, 2012 4:53 am)
Thank you saminny for your help! westbury toyota is awesome! replaced the cat with no hassle. i would NEVER visit plaza toyota again. Two toyota dealerships and two completely opposite experiences. I am so happy.
 
Good luck guys!

#143 of 150 2003 Camry LE - Discouraged by doodlebug71

Apr 07, 2012 (1:52 pm)

I replaced my catalytic converter in 2010 for around $800. I think my car was at about 160k miles. Yes, I drive a lot. The check engine light came back on recently and brought it to a different mechanic than the one that replaced it (there's a reason I don't go to him anymore) and he told me the CC needed to be replaced. I told him I had it done in 2010 and he said it was most likely an aftermarket and they don't last very long. It now has 205k and I've accepted the fact that it's time to get a new one. My car owes me nothing. 2 quirky repairs for about $1200 over 9 years. I can't complain and I won't. I'm just discouraged. I'm more than willing to an explanation on something and am open to suggestions if they're given to me. I just don't like be treated a child that doesn't need all the details. Should the mechanic have asked if I wanted an aftermarket or a geniune Toyota CC? Just curious. A new car is in my future. Will most likely be a Camry. Unless anyone wants to weigh in on that.....

#144 of 150 Re: 2003 Camry LE - Discouraged [doodlebug71] by tech_jack

Apr 07, 2012 (8:50 pm)

Replying to: doodlebug71 (Apr 07, 2012 1:52 pm)
It is true, when the Cat is replaced it needs to be a quality one that can pass California emissions which is the original manufacturer part. Cats normally last the lifetime of the car, 350K miles plus. The odds are the original check engine light was not the Cat but an underlying emissions issue such as a vacuum leak or a dirty PCV valve. Most likely something very simple and inexpensive.
 
That minor underlying emissions issue was corrected by the first guy after he replaced the Cat by most likely replacing the PCV valve or correcting a vaccum leak. But he would not have shared that with you.
 
Folks it is extremely rare that the Cat ever needs to be replaced and should only be the last resort after all other possible sources are eliminated.
 
Happy motoring!

#145 of 150 2001 Toyota Camry 2164CC 2.2 Liter L45SFE by starwhite2

Apr 26, 2012 (3:10 pm)

My Camry has 84,500 miles on it. Recently Check Engine Light went on. Mechanic (service station) said it was my cat. converter. I just had it replaced in June of 2009 - warranty for Bosal was 2 years so mechanic said I would have to buy a new one. The reason mechanic replaced it in 2009 was "flex pipe was broken." Mechanic said I didn't have to worry about it until I'm due for an emissions test (Illinois) which will be coming up in March of 2013. But he said I'll have to drive with my CEL on all the time and I wouldn't know if something else was wrong. So this was yesterday.
Today car didn't have the CEL on. Went to the mechanic and asked him why the light went off? He couldn't offer an explanation.
So now I don't need a new cat. converter? What is this ???
The Bosal cost me $430.69, Front Flex-Catayltic Converter Pipe $19.46, plus $96.00 labor, plus $3.60 shop supply/haz mat, and sales tax of $44.24, for a total of $593.99.

#146 of 150 Re: 2001 Toyota Camry 2164CC 2.2 Liter L45SFE [starwhite2] by tech_jack

Apr 28, 2012 (11:01 am)

Replying to: starwhite2 (Apr 26, 2012 3:10 pm)
Only replace the CAT as a last resort! It is very rare that the issue is the CAT itself but another underlying emissions issue. Remove and clean your PCV valve with throttle cleaner or just replace it. Then add a pint of Seafoam fuel treatment to your next full tank of gas. Also check for any vacuum hoses that are loose, cracked or clogged. Majority of the time this CEL can be resolved inexpensively. Good motoring!

#147 of 150 Re: 2001 Toyota Camry 2164CC 2.2 Liter L45SFE [tech_jack] by starwhite2

Apr 30, 2012 (6:35 pm)

Replying to: tech_jack (Apr 28, 2012 11:01 am)
Thank you, tech jack. CEL is still off so I'm not doing anything. Still mystified why it went off. Will follow your advice once it comes back on.

#148 of 150 Re: 2001 Toyota Camry 2164CC 2.2 Liter L45SFE [starwhite2] by sydneyjane

May 06, 2012 (4:11 am)

Replying to: starwhite2 (Apr 30, 2012 6:35 pm)
Hey, starwhite. That same thing happened to me with my 2001 Camry and it went on for a few years. The CEL would go on and off, on and off. When I had to get my emissions tested in Maryland, I just waited around for the CEL to go off and passed the inspection with no problems, which led me to believe it wasn't really the cat converter to begin with, or at least the problem wasn't that bad. I figured I could go on like that forever.
 
Except now I've got this awful noise and found out it's the pipe connected to the converter that's rusted and has a hole in it, so the car is very loud. Darn. So, now I have to get it replaced since the pipe and converter are all in one piece. They said charcoal canister needs to be replaced, too. And, now, the CEL stays on all the time.
 
That's what brought me to this board (my first post!). I've got 210K on my Camry and everything else works well. Not sure if I should spend $2.5K (which is what the dealer quotes me) for cat and canister. I've always felt if the engine and transmission are good, stay with the car and I usually drive my cars until they die. But, $2.5K is a lot of money. What do do???

#149 of 150 Re: 2001 Toyota Camry 2164CC 2.2 Liter L45SFE [sydneyjane] by tdt5150

Aug 28, 2012 (12:18 pm)

Replying to: sydneyjane (May 06, 2012 4:11 am)
How's the car? I have a 2002 Camry and last year the CEL was going on and off for no reason too. I also was fortunate that it turned off before inspection last sep. Then next day it came on and hasn't gone off since! Now it's time for inspection again. I just took it to an auto parts store that ran the free diagnostic. Said it was the CC or some other exhaust problem. Said it's a very generic code. I'm glad I found this post!

#150 of 150 1999 Toyota Camry CE 5 speed by shamrock32

Oct 31, 2012 (8:23 am)

I have a 1999 Camry CE 5 speed with 85,000 miles on her - the check engine came on 6 months and had my mechanic diagnose it and turns out I need to replace the catalytic converter. He quoted me a price of $1070 for parts and labor. Since I live in Virginia the next emissions test due on her is May 31st 2013 and f I don't repair it by 5/13, she'll fail inspection. Since the car does 4,000 miles per year I can't justify is spending $1100 on a 13 year old car. She's had previous work done on her in the last 3 to 4 years.
 
I'm thinking on either buying a new car or certified used in the Spring. Is it worth getting repaired and is the estimate too high?
 
I welcome your comments and suggestions.

Messages Page 15 of 15

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