3rd Party Catalytic Converter

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by The Old Wolf, Dec 14, 2018.

Tags:
  1. The Old Wolf

    The Old Wolf Junior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 20, 2015
    10
    8
    0
    Location:
    Payson, Utah
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    My 2007 Prius has been throwing a P0420 for some time, so I'm not surprised the cat needs to be replaced. Toyota wants $2500 for the job. Meineke is around $700.00.

    But I can find multiple websites that advertise "2004-2009 Toyota Prius 1.5L Catalytic Converter Direct Fit" for around $104 to $116.00.

    Are these worth anything? Are they Chinese garbage? Or will they do the job just fine and the other shops are just charging ten prices for the same kind of thing?

    Thanks for your time!
     
    #1 The Old Wolf, Dec 14, 2018
  2. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

    Joined:
    Oct 17, 2010
    57,974
    39,995
    80
    Location:
    Greater Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Touring
    #2 Mendel Leisk, Dec 14, 2018
    Prodigyplace likes this.
  3. Raytheeagle

    Raytheeagle Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 1, 2016
    11,261
    15,499
    0
    Location:
    Bay Area, California
    Vehicle:
    2019 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Prime Plus
    Since you’re not in CA or NY, they could work.

    Just depends on how long you want the fix to last.

    Good luck and keep us posted (y).
     
    #3 Raytheeagle, Dec 14, 2018
    SFO likes this.
  4. The Old Wolf

    The Old Wolf Junior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 20, 2015
    10
    8
    0
    Location:
    Payson, Utah
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    I will do just that, thanks for your input! :)
     
    #4 The Old Wolf, Dec 14, 2018
    Raytheeagle likes this.
  5. Paul Schenck

    Paul Schenck Active Member

    Joined:
    Jun 15, 2013
    523
    306
    0
    Location:
    Fresno, California
    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
    Model:
    II
    I did this with the help of a welder in CA for $300 IMG_6424.jpg the four bolts are easy enough to remove and take the center section of exhaust in to your favorite welder to splice in the replacement. IMG_6388.jpg


    iPhone ?
     
    #5 Paul Schenck, Dec 15, 2018
    Briana Giselle Jauregui likes this.
  6. William Redoubt

    William Redoubt Senior Member

    Joined:
    Feb 13, 2016
    1,215
    1,165
    1
    Location:
    Coronado Island, California
    Vehicle:
    2016 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    That would never pass in Cali. But will probably work fine. Cost for cats is directly related to the amount of exotic metals in the catalyst. The one you got is a generic one size fits many. A 420 code does not necessarily mean the cat is bad, btw. It also does not equal the "go private" price of a share of Tesla.
     
    #6 William Redoubt, Dec 15, 2018
    Briana Giselle Jauregui and exstudent like this.
  7. exstudent

    exstudent Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 11, 2009
    2,214
    904
    0
    Location:
    Torrance, CA
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    This explain the big price difference of OEM vs aftermarket. And why I remember someone's universal fit only lasting a year.

    Warranty is the other equation too. CARB certified catalytic converters require testing to prove that they are as effective as OEM, thus being certified as CARB compliant. AND, aftermarket catalytic converters must have a MINIMUM warranty of 5yr/50,000miles. Aftermarket ones only seem to have a 1yr warranty.

    Thus the price difference in catalytic converters. Low cost = shorter longevity due to less precious metals, and no testing certification.
     
    #7 exstudent, Dec 15, 2018
    Briana Giselle Jauregui likes this.
  8. exstudent

    exstudent Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 11, 2009
    2,214
    904
    0
    Location:
    Torrance, CA
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    BTW, if the engine is burning A LOT of oil, this will kill all catalytic converters, quickly.
     
    #8 exstudent, Dec 15, 2018
    Briana Giselle Jauregui and Mendel Leisk like this.
  9. Paul Schenck

    Paul Schenck Active Member

    Joined:
    Jun 15, 2013
    523
    306
    0
    Location:
    Fresno, California
    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
    Model:
    II
    This one is specifically Cali approved. It does fix the problem and actually has more platinum coated ceramic in it than the originals. The OEM is the entire mid section $1900. Which includes an additional cat converter past the second O2 sensor.


    iPhone ?
     
    #9 Paul Schenck, Dec 26, 2018
  10. oil_burner

    oil_burner Active Member

    Joined:
    Feb 26, 2017
    249
    126
    0
    Location:
    Canada
    Vehicle:
    2006 Prius
    I bought the cheap Ebay version for $100, you have to cut your exhaust just past the 2nd cat and bolt it on. It turned off the CEL for me and I really don't expect it to last for the price how much platinum in the cells could you expect once you factor in the cost of the pipe, hardware, welding, etc. But my car burns a lot of oil so once this cat becomes clogged at least I can take it off the car and punch the honeycomb out and let the exhaust free flow.
     
    #10 oil_burner, Dec 26, 2018
  11. The Old Wolf

    The Old Wolf Junior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 20, 2015
    10
    8
    0
    Location:
    Payson, Utah
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    The deed is done, I scored a direct fit cat from Arctic Exhaust on eBay for $104, my local mechanic installed it for $167. A lot cheaper than the $2600 Toyota wanted, cleared my code, and will last long enough for my needs. No emissions tests up here in Maine. Thanks for all the input!
     
    #11 The Old Wolf, Jan 11, 2019
    Briana Giselle Jauregui and Mendel Leisk like this.
  12. Briana Giselle Jauregui

    Briana Giselle Jauregui Junior Member

    Joined:
    Dec 21, 2016
    12
    4
    0
    Location:
    South Pasadena, CA
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    ----USA----
    THANK YOU!
    Our battery light came on and mechanic said it was the cat.
    Gas had been flying out of here (Prius 07) super crazy fast.
    The drives were a bit crazy though. Very hilly and the area's residents drive so fast you must keep up. I thought maybe that was why.
    Though for a few months now when turning car on I experienced an odor. Fumes of some sort. A few times there was splatter from exhaust of which the mechanic was aware.
    I'm thinking maybe I could do with another mechanic?
    Anyways, I'm in California.
    Thanks for all the info y'all.
     
    #12 Briana Giselle Jauregui, Mar 11, 2021
(You must log in or sign up to post here.)