Catalytic converter needs replacing

JJ_Z4SouthEast

Member
 South East
Good evening everyone.
I've got a well looked after E85 2007 2.0 SE. I have had on / off battles with getting to the bottom of Catalytic converter related issues for some time. This includes an O2 sensor replacement and Wynn treatments. I have now had confirmation that the Cat needs replacing :( and have been quoted an astronomical figure. The cost is so high that I won't be doing the work. It is such a shame as the car is in incredible condition having only done 75k and has been incredibly well looked after. Has anyone had the issue with needing ymto replace the Cat? What did you end up doing? I love this car, just cannot justify the expense.
 
Not sure I can help that much but I was told by garage that my cats might be blocked or lazy and could explain engine lights and car going into limp mode under acceleration. Turned out it was maf failing under load. Are you certain therefore that it is your cats.
 
Thanks for the advice, am open to any ideas at the moment that could save me money. My small Autel fault scanner is throwing up P420 and the full diagnostics machine at the garage is showing 29F4. Based on that the garage were pretty adamant it was the Cat that needs replacing.
 
Is your manifold cracked?

It’s an age old issue on the 2.0 cars which leads to too much air bothering the sensors
 
Again, no expert but mileage to me would not suggest cat failure despite what code is suggesting. I believe other faults could cause this and I would explore all other possibilities first including cracked manifold.
Is there some sort of test that could be carried out. My garage suggested they could test the cats but on the end I didn't need to pursue that option
Also is car making a bit of a noise, I would have thought a cracked manifold would give a definite sound. Also blocked cats would surely make car harder to started or falter under acceleration.
Just a few thoughts, hope you get to the bottom of it.
 
Thanks Mike6 and bigwinn. No rattles or other noises, feels sluggish when accelerating sub 3000 rpm. Have you had any experience with a cracked manifold? Are there super obvious signs? Do you know how much they are to repair? Not sure how reliable the guide prices are online. Thanks
 
Sorry no experience of cracked manifold. It's just my garage was getting to the point of suspecting blocked cats but it turned out to be a simple maf problem which I fixed myself. These cars can throw some very confusing codes starting from battery needs replacing, air leaks somewhere on intake side right down to air getting in via the notorious downpipe to exhaust joint.
I would suggest a smoke test unless one has already been carried out
 
Back
Top Bottom