2001 Solara P0420

[bbfalls]

Mechanic says P0420 (bank 1) on 2001 V6 Solara. He states i need the front manifold converter (passenger side right up on the firewall).

So a couple of questions to the experts; does anyone know what an aftermarket converter part number might be for just the converter on that manifold piece?... So an expert welder could possibly put it inline, asking of course because the manifold converter piece is like $300 or something. that sensor was recently changed. Any way to get I/M readiness before the light returns? it is a 3.0 V6 with Federal Emissions.

Thank you.
bbfalls

[ctesla]

bb, you mention O2 was swapped.. was it the upstream, or down?
to answer your question, Bosal (and others) make specific/direct fit for $300+/- that anyone can do with some time, hand tools, and maybe some swearing..
a universal (MagnaFlow and others)will probably run about $148-200. and it can be found at amazon, autozone, etc., and can be welded, or sleeved and bolted in, and then you might be up to almost the cost of the OEM fit one..
regardless, prior to any high dollar purchases, you might just run some premium fuel through, and if not using synthetic oil, do the oil change, and see if light keeps returning.. more info please!.. difficult to diagnose w/o data.. how many miles on the car/cat?? it might be converter; just hate for you to buy and swap what might not be necessary..

[bbfalls]

Originally Posted by ctesla

bb, you mention O2 was swapped.. was it the upstream, or down?
to answer your question, Bosal (and others) make specific/direct fit for $300+/- that anyone can do with some time, hand tools, and maybe some swearing..
a universal (MagnaFlow and others)will probably run about $148-200. and it can be found at amazon, autozone, etc., and can be welded, or sleeved and bolted in, and then you might be up to almost the cost of the OEM fit one..
regardless, prior to any high dollar purchases, you might just run some premium fuel through, and if not using synthetic oil, do the oil change, and see if light keeps returning.. more info please!.. difficult to diagnose w/o data.. how many miles on the car/cat?? it might be converter; just hate for you to buy and swap what might not be necessary..

upstream O2 just last week due to code; CEL back mechanic says now it is the cat on the manifold. looks like original cat. EGR replaced 8 months ago or so due to that code. new plugs, wires last year. 184,000 miles on the car.
mechanic is reputable, does all the import repairs in town. Sticker under hood indicates this is a Fed.Emissions Car.

[ctesla]

with 200k, and a shop with good rapport, i'd say cat is dead.. while they are designed to handle 120-150k+, i know your area:
"...The farms of Ohio, Had been replaced by shopping malls,..."
with more stop and go short trip traffic, as opposed to long distance, highway speed traffic; the cat does not fully heat to hi-temp, so even if using mid/hi octane, and synthetic oil, emissions components' lives will be shortened from partial heat up, and contaminants will eventually build up, so 184,000 is good lifespan..
i lived diagonally opposing; dayton/cincy area, and as drive times to work and amenities shrunk, and highway speeds slowed, and people started using lower octanes, cats had to do triple duty..
if the shop/mechanic has done all your services; see if he has any accounts with World PAC (colo. and other states), IPW (import parts warehouse, denver), or Toyota Boshoku (alabama).. these companies have extra 8-10% off for dealer/shops, and if he's willing to share the cost savings; i'd go with a direct fit as opposed to universal, IF you are planning on holding onto the car.. universals will still work, but a generic may last half as long as an OEM type..