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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 16 of 16

#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 16 of 16

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