Has anyone here replaced a catalytic converter? How did it go?

Discussion
21

Avery said:
@Brook
I think it’s just a scan. It’s my girlfriend’s car, so I’m not 100% sure. Do you think an extender will keep the code off? Yours still comes back sometimes?

Try one with cat material in it. They’re cheap, like $15, and worth trying before going all-in on replacing the manifold. Ours works better on long trips but throws the code on short ones. A longer extender or one with material might work better.

22

@Brook
Found a Dorman one on Amazon. My only concern is if they check under the car, will it be obvious?

23

Avery said:
@Brook
Found a Dorman one on Amazon. My only concern is if they check under the car, will it be obvious?

If they notice, just play dumb. “Oh no, did the seller scam us? What do we do now?”

24

@Brook
Last question—any idea if the Dorman extenders will fit? They seem pretty long.

25

Avery said:
@Brook
Last question—any idea if the Dorman extenders will fit? They seem pretty long.

I used generic ones from Amazon. M18 thread and about 1.5 inches tall. Should be enough space to stack two.

26

What state is the car in, and does it have ULEV or PZEV equipment? If it’s PZEV, only the OEM version will work.

I’d go with a Dorman unit from RockAuto, not some no-name Amazon brand. That way, at least you’re paying for the part and not just Amazon’s cut.

27

@Zephyr
Check the emissions sticker under the hood.

28

@Zephyr
It’s in Maryland.

29

I used an O2 defouler to clear my check engine light.

30

If it’s in California, it has to be CARB compliant. I’ve only done this on GM cars, and it was cheaper to have a shop cut and weld the new cat than do it myself. Not sure if that’s an option here since the Focus cats are more upstream.

31

I planned to order a high-flow cat and have a shop install it. To help my current cat last longer, I ran B-12 cleaner on an empty tank, followed by 93 octane gas. It seemed to help a bit.