Park in a level place and jack the vehicle up at all four wheels and support on jack stands. Replacing your vehicle's catalytic converter isn't quite like replacing a tire — you'll need to raise the entire vehicle off of the ground, rather than just one corner. It's very important to find a level spot to do this maintenance on your car. If your car is not stable, you risk serious injury or death if your jacks fail. If you have access to a professional-quality hydraulic lift and know how to safely use it, this is also an acceptable way to lift your car when replacing the catalytic converter. Allow the vehicle's exhaust to cool down. If your vehicle hasn't had an opportunity to cool down after running, its exhaust system can still be quite hot.
To reduce the risk of painful burns, give your vehicle a chance to adequately cool down before working on it. Depending on your vehicle's exhaust system, this will usually be a matter of just a few minutes. To test the heat of the exhaust system, put on a pair of heavy mechanic's gloves and gently brush the exhaust tube with the back of your hand. If you can't feel any heat, you may cautiously repeat this test without the glove. Locate the catalytic converter. Slide under the vehicle and locate the tubes of the exhaust system, which should run all the way to your vehicle's rear exhaust. The converter should not be terribly difficult to find — it will usually take the form of a rectangular or rounded 'box' in the middle of your exhaust system.
Some models can have a roughly cylindrical shape. Check to see whether the converter is bolted or welded to the rest of the exhaust system at its connection points. You may need to take it to an auto shop to have it repaired if it has already been replaced and welded back into position, rather than bolted. You can still replace a welded converter if you have access to a sawzall (or similar tool) and a welding machine and know how to safely use both, but these advanced tools are beyond the mastery of most amateur mechanics. Alternatively, for welded-in converters, cut the converter out. If your converter is welded into the rest of the exhaust system, rather than bolted in, the only way to remove it is to physically cut it out of the pipes it's connected to.
Most mechanics will use a sawzall or similar tool for this purpose. Cut along (or near) the existing weld lines, then remove the converter after it's cut free. If you finish and the converter won't seem to budge, you may want to use a hammer to knock it out of its place as long as you take care not to damage or rattle any other parts of the exhaust system (this can lead to harmful exhaust leaks down the road). Always defer to any included instructions. The instructions provided in this article are written for general cases of catalytic converter installation. Because the exact part needed and the installation process can vary from vehicle to vehicle, the steps you’ll need to replace your vehicle’s converter may be different than the ones here. When in doubt, always follow the instructions provided with your replacement part or consult the advice of a knowledgeable mechanic.
Converters have a specific direction they should flow and have an arrow for direction of exhaust flow.
Many car owners face the concern: what's my catalytic converter repair cost? One of the major innovations that helps to cut down significantly on air pollution from cars is the catalytic converter. Starting in the 1970s, auto makers began integrating these devices into the exhaust systems of each vehicle they produced. But sometimes, they malfunction and you're faced with a trip to the mechanic.
If you're wondering about the benefits of having a catalytic converter and what the estimated cost of repair is for your make and model, here's what you need to know. Catalytic converters make cars more environmentally friendly by cutting down on air pollution from passenger vehicles. This helps reduce smog issues in larger cities and congested areas where thousands of people commute daily.
It also helps protect the Earth's ozone layer from depletion. Catalytic converters play a major role in whether your car passes or fails inspection. The United States requires that all passenger vehicles pass an emissions test in order to receive an inspection sticker. Your catalytic converter helps reduce harmful emissions by filtering out certain hydrocarbons from your car's exhaust system. But the benefits don't stop there.
Catalytic converters also reduce exhaust noise from your car. Have you ever been behind someone on the road whose vehicle had a loud and rumbling exhaust? Their car may have had a problem with its catalytic converter. Catalytic converters help your car run quieter in addition to their environmental benefits. If you're wondering whether or not your car came equipped with a catalytic converter, the answer is probably yes. The reason is that the U.S.
Environmental Protection agency tightened their emissions regulations in the mid-1970s. Catalytic converters have been a required component in car exhaust systems since 1975. Of course, there are exceptions to this rule. For example, if you own an antique vehicle or old model hot rod, your car may not be equipped with a catalytic converter.
Another exception would be if you purchased a used vehicle from a non-reputable seller. Because catalytic converters can be expensive to replace, some car owners cut corners and rig the exhaust system so that their car functions without one. When it comes to catalytic converter repair cost estimates, many car owners balk at the price. Repairing or replacing a catalytic converter can cost close to $2,000. In order to properly filter hydrocarbons and reduce your car's emissions, catalytic converters use precious metals such as platinum or palladium. These are expensive for mechanics to purchase, resulting in a higher repair cost.
Catalytic Converter Weld Or Clamp
Luckily, very few people actually need to replace their catalytic converter over the life of their car. Taking your car in for regular maintenance can help you avoid costly catalytic converter repairs down the line. If your catalytic converter does need repair, it's time to call a professional to get an estimate of your specific car's catalytic converter repair cost.
This truck is exhibiting symptoms of a bad catalytic converter. It is sluggish and loses power on hills and based on its age, it is a safe bet that replacing the cat may fix these problems, replacing the cat with a new Magnaflow converter is a very cheap repair on this old truck. After i replaced the cat, i noticed significant improvement in power. Magnaflow Universal Catalytic Converters: Details: Tools needed are a Sawzall or angle grinder with a metal blade and some wrenches for the clamps.
Some install notes. The Magnaflow catalytic converter can be installed with airflow going in either direction. The heat shield on the Magnaflow universal cat faces up. The exhaust pipe size on this 1991 c1500 truck is 2.5 inch outside diameter. Welding the pipes together is the ideal install, but the pipe clamps are adequate. Looking for more DIY videos like this? We've moved to.