Hi all, After hearing some loud noise coming from my exhaust system, it was determined that there is a hole (from rust) in part of the cat. assembly. Three shops each quoted me around $1500 replacement, as there are no aftermarket products for this unit. I have NOT gotten any error codes, the only problem is the noise. What to do? The car is 10 years old with 86000 miles. I have beeen reading about some of you getting just the one piece and having it welded on, but I do not believe any of the shops here will do that, and indicated that it would be a very temporary fix. Thanks for any guidance.
It is probably against federal law to modify the cat (even welding on to it).. So good luck finding someone to do that. You would need a picture of where/ how bad the hole is to get any useful advice. I have trouble believing they can do it for even $1500 as Toyota is charging almost $1200 for the part. This cat has a HCAC valve on the front of it that all comes as one piece. You may be able to get some high temp epoxy putty to plug the hole, but it depends on how bad the rust is and where it is located.
There are after-market catalytic converters if you are not in California. I have had them replaced in two 2001 Priuses for less than $200 each. Search the internet and you will find them.
As above search for OBD II compliant cat replacement or better yet a carb certified unit will get you through much the same for significantly less Have fun ! Eric
There's a bunch here. Catalytic Converters Here's what they say is a "direct fit" 2001, 2002, 2003 Toyota Prius Catalytic Converters - Eastern Catalytic 40544 - Eastern Catalytic Direct-fit Catalytic Converters - 49-State Legal If a shop there won't do it then you may be stuck but, I don't see why they wouldn't do it since its 49 state legal. Try to find a family shop (not a chain) that specializes in exhaust systems.
I think i am experiencing a similar problem with my Prius. When I am driving over 30 MPH I can hear a loud humming sound and i thought it was my muffler. I took it to two muffler shops and they both said the muffler is fine. One guy said he believes it is the catalytic converter which I doubted until now. he said it would cost around $550 to replace it. But I thought the noise was coming from more towards the rear. Once I am doing around 60 - 70 mph I nearly need earplugs. My sister says it almost sounds like driving a car in low gear but when I take my foot off the gas the car coasts just fine (unlike a car would that is stuck in 2nd gear at 70 mph). i don't have $550. I can probably come up with $50. So what do I do? How can I be sure if it is the converter before moving ahead with the expense?
It stays around the same decibel, but isn't as loud outside of the vehicle (I drove with the door open and my head dragging on the ground).
If you are in California you're screwed, you have to use the OEM cat. Everywhere else you have options. Since the OP is not in California, go to "mom and pop" muffler shop and have them weld in an aftermarket cat. There is even a clamp on direct fit unit (eastern 40544), but the clamp can often leak so best to have the shop weld it on. Muffler shops do this sort of thing all day.
Good thing they are not near Nevada or Idaho where they'd probably do the welding for free. <GRINS> Bob Wilson
well I am going to take it to the dealership to have them inspect it for $65 to tell me what is wrong with the car. To have to pay a dealership to diagnose a problem is ridiculous
Turns out that the loud noise I was hearing was from the bearings in the driver's side rear wheel. Toyota said the hub and bearings come as one piece for my car so that cost me around $330.00. It is running quiet now. The noise had gotten unbearable.
