OEM Cat converter for '02 Impreza?

[Andy]

My '02 Impreza Outback got 121,000 miles, and my local subaru dealer
has got a Cat converter check engine code reading.t. They quoted me
$850 to replace the Cat ($650 part + $200 labor).

All I need is to pass the California smogs. I am not driving the car
much anymore anyway (gas prices), just keep it in the driveway for an
occasional camping trip (still cheaper than renting... provided no
major repair costs) so giving out $800 just to register the thing just
does not sound right.

Goggling produced a $150 (???) "Catco" converter. Does anyone have
experience with this beast? Can I bolt it on myself to keep the
smoggers happy?

Also, I am not sure if the sensor in the car gives a yes/no kind of
answer, or actually produces a real number. Meaning that if I knew
that the reading was on the borderline, can I make the car barely pass
somehow (heard some urban legends on driving on a highway before the
test).

Hey Nathan,

I had a similar concern with my 2003 Subaru Outback and I
subscribed to ALLDATAdiy.com and it has been very useful. I am handy
and like to do things myself and this subscription gives me diagnosis,
repair, TBSs, recalls and labor times. I hope you find it useful -
it's pretty cheap considering the information comes directly from the
manufacturer.

Check it out - I copied the link below for you.

http://traffic.alldatadiy.com/cgi-bin/redir?pd_link=i1-a44690-o4010-c66365

Andy Deil

 

[runcyclexcski]

Hi all,

Just a followup on an old story. It was about a Cat converter
check engine error and my local subaru dealer trying to make me spend ~
$800 on a new cat converter, despite the fact the emissions checked
out normal. I could not get my registration renewed with the check
engine light on.

I bought a new front oxygen sensor for $100, paid an honest
independent mechanic another $100 to replace ti, and the check engine
light went away, never to come back. My car is now registered, and I
have saved $600.

Thank you, especially Carl, for your help.

 

[Todd H.]

Hi all,

Just a followup on an old story. It was about a Cat converter
check engine error and my local subaru dealer trying to make me spend ~
$800 on a new cat converter, despite the fact the emissions checked
out normal. I could not get my registration renewed with the check
engine light on.

I bought a new front oxygen sensor for $100, paid an honest
independent mechanic another $100 to replace ti, and the check engine
light went away, never to come back. My car is now registered, and I
have saved $600.

Thank you, especially Carl, for your help.

Woot. Thanks for following up and adding additional weight to the
frequent "try the front o2 sensor" advice on these issues.

 

[Carl 1 Lucky Texan]

Hi all,

Just a followup on an old story. It was about a Cat converter
check engine error and my local subaru dealer trying to make me spend ~
$800 on a new cat converter, despite the fact the emissions checked
out normal. I could not get my registration renewed with the check
engine light on.

I bought a new front oxygen sensor for $100, paid an honest
independent mechanic another $100 to replace ti, and the check engine
light went away, never to come back. My car is now registered, and I
have saved $600.

Thank you, especially Carl, for your help.

I'm glad it worked out OK. Put the other $600 dollars aside for the next
repair!

lol!

Carl