[Krtismo]

Replacing the Catalytic Converter on an '01 with 3.1

Has anyone done this themselves before or know what is involved? Shop wants $250 for the repair, but I think I can do this myself for about $100. I need this done ASAP so I can pass Georgia Emissions.

I've also heard that some of the aftermarket cats for 3.1s have issues and will start to fail within a year or so. Has anyone heard anything about this?

Is there a right or wrong cat to buy? Autozone has one for $90.

Thanks!

-Kurt

 

[Starship]

Welcome to the forum. If you have access to the welding equipment, I suppose you can get one of those $90 universal ones. The shop's going to weld one on anyway. There's no real secret to manufacturing catalytic converters. The ones that fail within a year are probably victim to whatever the underlying problem was that ruined the original.

 

[Beatdown Z]

Does Georgia's emissions testing use a sniffer or just plug in for codes?

 

[markag]

I'm not sure if you have done this yet or not. I just replaced the catalytic converter on my 2000 3.1 Malibu about 2 weeks ago. If you are not using a universal converter, the job isn't too bad other then dealing with rusted bolts.

You basically have two options, you can get a universal converter that is the right size for the car, cut the old converter off the pipes and weld the new converter on. Or, you can buy a new direct fit converter that bolts in to the exhaust manifold and the exhaust pipe going to the muffler. The direct fit option costs more, but it doesn't require any cutting or welding, so it is the method I chose.

I was able to get my direct fit converter from amazon's automotive section. I got a magnaflow 23520 direct fit converter. Basically the job is pretty straight forward.

Remove the three bolts/nuts from the rear flange on the converter. These were the most rusty for me. Leave 1 or 2 of the bolts in there finger tight just so the rear end of the pipe doesn't wobble all around on you. Then remove the rear O2 sensor from the pipe. If it is giving you problems, then leave it in there. Unplug the sensor connector and actually remove it with the converter, then deal with it out from under the car. Then you just need to remove the two nuts on the front flange of the converter pipe that bolts up to the exhaust manifold. I did this from under the car, and I used about 2 feet of socket extensions to reach those bolts. I don't know if you can reach them from above at all, I didn't try. Remove any finger tight bolts from before and the converter is out of there.

I went to the hardware store and bought replacement nuts and bolts for the rear flange. That way I don't have to reuse the rusted out fasteners. It will also make my job easier if I ever have to do any exhaust work again. Installation of the new converter is just the reverse of the removal. If you have the O2 sensor off of the car already, then it is easiest just to install it to the pipe before you install the pipe in the vehicle. Then just bolt it back up to your exhaust and you are good to go.

 

[RalphP]

One thing Markag forgot to mention - USE ANTISEIZE!

USE ANTISEIZE!

BE SURE TO USE ANTISEIZE!!!

Did I mention to use a good antiseize compound on the bolts when you put it all back together?

RwP

 

[rlbtexas]

Welcome to the forum. If you have access to the welding equipment, I suppose you can get one of those $90 universal ones. The shop's going to weld one on anyway. There's no real secret to manufacturing catalytic converters. The ones that fail within a year are probably victim to whatever the underlying problem was that ruined the original.

I was told that for my 2003 Malibu I should use a converter that is approved for California, even tho I don't live in CA. He said that the computer on this model is set up to support that type converter. Any other ones will fail in 6 - 18 months. Any thoughts?

 

[Unfettered]

That's what I was told about mine as well.
California emissions require a converter for California.

I have the code on the the converter is failing, but because the car was originally a rental shipped to California, the 48 state cat won't work. Never mind the car spent only its first 8 months there and hasn't nor will ever be back there again. Since my '06 has a value of under $1000 (12 years and 222,000 miles) I'm leaving it go. I just can't justify a $700 repair on a $1000 car that gains me nothing, and I don't have emission testing anyway.

As far as failing in 6-18 months, I've never experienced that unless there is an underlying problem with the engine that is causing it. In my case, the engine is burning some oil which I believe is the cause of the code in the first place. to fix the oil consumption issue and catalytic converter isn't cost effective. My converter isn't plugged.