I had a catalytic converter installed in my vehicle in 2013, now I’m being told I need a new one. How long is it suppose to last?
I had a new catalytic converter installed in 2013 on my 2005 Toyota sienna van in the vehicle had 180,000 miles at a time. Now my vehicle has 245,000 miles and I am being told that I need a new catalytic converter. how long are they supposed to last?
Experienced mechanics share their insights in answering this question :
Hello. Most vehicles do not have to have the catalytic converter replaced unless it becomes damaged due to road debris or it overheating severely. With that said, it is possible your car may be running a bit too rich (too much fuel in the air/fuel mixture), which can cause the catalytic converter to overheat.
When this happens it can become clogged or filter excess gases poorly, which will cause the vehicle to run very poorly as a result (think of a sink being backed up), not allowing it to flush out toxic gases which become backed up inside the vehicle’s exhaust system. If you not experiencing any drivability concerns, I would ask the person why they suggested having it replaced. If you would like to have the car checked for a second opinion, a certified technician from YourMechanic can come to your home or office to give the vehicle a complete inspection.
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A new catalytic converter should last for around 10 years but, as with most other vehicle components, the exact lifespan can differ. Mileage and engine tune can impact on the durability of the item, so it`s worth checking the condition after 50,000 miles.
A typical catalytic converter can supposedly last for up to 10 years or more. But generally, these components are designed to last the life of the vehicle.
Catalytic Converters are estimated to last at least 10 years, but they don`t need to be swapped out as soon as those 10 years are up. It only has to get replaced whenever you start to see these issues pop up and if it`s suggested by the service technicians.
You should replace a catalytic converter If you do not repair or replace your car`s catalytic converter in time, you risk your engine shutting down completely. The team at Performance Muffler is committed to ensuring that your vehicle performs effectively by repairing or replacing the clogged catalytic converter.
Catalytic converters often last for 10 years or more, but they can become contaminated, clogged, overheated or physically damaged — leading to sluggish engine performance and, eventually, engine shutdown.
The catalytic converter is supposed to last for the full lifetime of your vehicle. It rarely happens that someone must deal with dysfunctional catalytic converter but not impossible. There are a lot of factors that impact the life span, but generally a catalytic converter should last between 70,000 and 100,000 miles.
Most catalytic converter failures fall under one of three categories: Overheated, melted or broken converters.
When the converter first starts showing signs of failure, it will not immediately affect the engine. Left unchecked, however, it will eventually degrade and collapse, plugging the exhaust, which will choke vehicle performance and limit the life of the motor.
While removing the catalytic converter will not harm the engine, you can expect a reduction in engine power as well as a reduction in fuel economy.
The weight of the precious metals that can be reclaimed from your catalytic converter determines the associated amount of money you receive. Newer converters contain less weight than older ones due to their size but have higher values of precious metals as a result of more stringent environmental regulations.
The catalytic converter converts harmful byproducts of internal combustion to less-harmful compounds. If there`s an exhaust leak letting gasses out of the system before it reaches the converter, if the converter becomes damaged or if it`s missing altogether, the check engine light will activate in your dashboard.
Both OE (Original Equipment) and aftermarket catalytic convertors are acceptable. In theory, both must meet federal standards for emissions performance, but nobody tests aftermarket catalytic convertors to see how well they work.
Yes, the oxygen sensor can damage the catalytic converter, although the damage is indirect. What actually happens is that the oxygen sensor malfunctions and sends incorrect data to your vehicle`s main computer chip.
The average catalytic converter is designed to last about 100,000 miles, so if your car is nearing six figures on the odometer, chances are you need to give some thought to your catalytic converter.
Generally, oxygen (O2) sensors last about 30,000-to-50,000 miles if you have an older car. Newer sensors can go 100,000 miles before they need to be replaced. University Auto Repair lists six signs below that your vehicle`s oxygen sensor is dying.
Usually, a catalytic converter will last throughout the car`s lifetime, but sometimes it can go bad and will need replaced. Typically, this happens in older cars when the catalytic converter becomes clogged. As a result, the vehicle`s exhaust gases can`t get through to the muffler and then out of the car.
Catalytic Converters should last at least 10 years, but they don`t need to be replaced once the 10 years are up. It just needs to get changed whenever you start to see those problems occur and if it`s recommended by our service technicians.
The culprit is often leaky fuel injectors or high fuel pressure, as both conditions can cause raw, unspent fuel to escape the combustion chamber, flow downstream, and ignite upon contact with the converter. The result is black soot, which is guaranteed to clog your converter and shorten its life.
Bad spark plugs or damaged exhaust valves can also destroy a catalytic converter. It is important to keep your engine and fuel injection system in good working condition.
Fuel Quality: Poor quality gasoline or diesel fuel can contain higher levels of sulfur or other contaminants that can damage the catalyst material in the catalytic converter over time.
Not necessarily. For example, if the catalytic converter fails because of cracked welds or because the element inside broke up into tiny pieces, the oxygen sensors will be fine (usually there`s an upstream and a downstream oxygen sensor in modern vehicles).
You`ll notice a loud rumbling or roaring sound when you turn on the engine if your catalytic converter is missing. This sound gets louder when you hit the gas. The exhaust is not working correctly, so the vehicle also drives rougher than usual, often with a sense of sputtering as you change speed.
Can a Bad Catalytic Converter Ruin My Car`s Engine? The short answer is yes. A clogged catalytic converter can cause your vehicle to lose power, causing frequent and harder steps on your gas pedal. A clogged converter combined with spark plug misfires can lead to the overheating of your engine.
Catalytic converters reduce emissions but do not reduce fuel consumption. A fuel catalyst, on the other hand, does both.
Relevant Questions and Answers :
the most relevant questions and answers related to your specific issue
I had a catalytic converter installed in my vehicle in 2013, now I’m being told I need a new one. How long is it suppose to last?
ANSWER : Hello. Most vehicles do not have to have the catalytic converter replaced unless it becomes damaged due to road debris or it overheating severely. With that said, it is possible your car may be running a bit too rich (too much fuel in the air/fuel mixture), which can cause the catalytic converter to overheat.
When this happens it can become clogged or filter excess gases poorly, which will cause the vehicle to run very poorly as a result (think of a sink being backed up), not allowing it to flush out toxic gases which become backed up inside the vehicle’s exhaust system. If you not experiencing any drivability concerns, I would ask the person why they suggested having it replaced. If you would like to have the car checked for a second opinion, a certified technician from YourMechanic can come to your home or office to give the vehicle a complete inspection.
Check engine light is on for the catalytic converter , I fixed one about a year ago. Is there a part needed, Frontback? Which part
ANSWER : Since your vehicle has a V shaped engine, it will likely have two catalytic converters. Since the engine is mounted transversly in the vehicle (because it is front wheel drive) there will be one converter on the front and one on the rear. If you had one replaced, it is likely the issue is coming from the opposite converter. I would recommend having your exhaust system inspected by a qualified professional who has experience in exhaust system diagnosis and repair.
Throttle Body needs replacing, is cardone re-manufactured ‘better’ than a ‘new’ throttle body
ANSWER : When it comes to remanufactured or brand new you are better off in most cases with the new one. The reason the company did not have the remanufactured one in stock is due to there has not been enough old cores returned to get rebuilt yet or the remanufactured part is in short supply. When it comes to getting a new or remanufactured part I have seen mixed results. The remanufactured one rebuilds an old throttle body using the base housing and installing all new parts in to it. The replacement parts will have to meet or exceed the manufacturers part performance and specifications. Just remember that if the manufacturer identified a product problem and changed the unit specification the dealer will get the new designed part before the aftermarket companies will and you may get old stock on the aftermarket where a dealer will only sell the newer part. If it was myself I would only use a factory new throttle body on this car. It may cost more but at least I would know I would get a new quality part with any last minute changes to product.
How long does a new 02 sensor need to be in the car before it will fix the problem?
ANSWER : The effect of any part replacement on a vehicle is immediate, excepting cases where the PCM has to re-learn certain operating parameters. In any event, the oxygen sensor is not the most common cause of individual cylinder misfiring. Oxygen sensors MUST be tested prior to contemplating replacement because if they are not tested you may not only needlessly replace a perfectly good part but the fault you are trying to fix will not be fixed. Prior to replacing any parts, you must have a conclusive diagnostic in hand. That is the only way to minimize the cost of the repair or actually even get a car repaired.
If you have downloaded Diagnostic Trouble Code P0306 that means that Cylinder No. 6 is misfiring but the causes of that misfiring can be VERY varied. Among the causes of cylinder misfiring are faulty spark plugs, low compression, damage or excessive wear of spark plug wires and/or coils, faulty fuel injector, clogged EGR valves or tubes, burned valves, improper ignition timing, vacuum leaks, leaking head gasket, faulty camshaft sensor, faulty crankshaft sensor, faulty mass air flow sensor, faulty oxygen sensor, faulty throttle position sensor, faulty catalytic converter, and others. If you want the cause pinpointed by a certified Mechanic, dispatched by YourMechanic right to your location, please request a misfiring diagnostic and the responding certified mechanic will get this diagnosed and resolved for you. If you have further questions or concerns as you decide what to do, do not hesitate to re-contact YourMechanic because we want you to make the most of your repair dollars and help you get the best possible results.
I need to replace my catalytic converter and I wanted to see what are the main parts I will need to buy that comes with it?
ANSWER : The parts required to change out a catalytic convertor will really depend on what type of converter is going to be used. There are factory type replacements that will use a flange and just get bolted into place, that will require a new flange gasket and pipe clamp. Or there are aftermarket replacements that will require the pipe to be cut, and either welded, or clamped into place. Other than that, I would suggest that this is the perfect time to replace the oxygen sensor. Keep in mind, when removing the flange from the back of the engine, it is fairly common for the bolts and/or studs to break, due to all of the heat cycles that are associated with the exhaust/converter. As far as the rough starting issue, I would check the timing chain and tensioners. It sounds like there may be a possible issue with chain tensioner, and this can cause all kinds of problems, especially throwing off the timing and causing rough starting and running issues. If any of this sounds like something you could use a hand in diagnosing and/or repairing, contact a certified mechanic, like the mobile mechanics at YourMechanic.com.
There is an antifreeze leak on the passenger side that occurs when the vehicle is on for a long period of time
ANSWER : I would introduce UV leak detection dye into the system, pressurize the system while cold, and leave the system under pressure overnight (the pressure will slowly bleed off somewhat but such will not affect the test). If there is any external leak of significance, it will show up under the UV light.
If no leak is present and yet you still have a leak once the engine runs and gets hot, that means that the leak is between two surfaces that are opening up under hot engine operation. But the same protocol applies. That is, at that point, inasmuch as the leak detection dye is still in the system, you should just let the engine cool completely and use your UV light source again to methodically check all of the obvious possible areas of the system that could leak.
I recommend having a certified mechanic, such as one from YourMechanic, perform an inspection to determine the source of the coolant leak and suggest any needed repairs.
New front pads & rotors (2mths) and hear a grinding noise when coming to a slow gradual stop. What could be causing this?
ANSWER : Hello, thank you for writing in. The last technicians that worked on your vehicle are not wrong. There are certain types of brake pads that will make a squealing noise when the brakes are applied. These are typically made from a metal composite material. You can always research the brand they put on and find out more about the brake pads. This would give you a good idea of what you should reasonably expect. Are the brakes exhibiting any other types of symptoms? If there is any sponginess in the pedal, shaking or vibrating, hard stops, or other symptoms then there may be more cause for concern. In situations like these, if you are expecting to drive the vehicle a longer distance in the near future, it is recommended that you get a second opinion. Our technicians can dispatch to your home or office.
The Check Engine light is on. I know the vehicle needs a new catalytic converter.
ANSWER : If someone has already diagnosed that the catalytic converter is faulty on your vehicle and you know they are correct, that is the cause of your check engine light. Your oxygen sensors pick up more fuel in the exhaust when your catalytic converter is clogged therefore causing rich codes. Once the catalytic converter is replaced and the check engine light is reset it should not reappear unless another separate issue occurs.
