Check Engine Light (Oxygen Sensor) & Catalytic Convertors (oh my!)

[nutritiouspig]

The check engine light on my new-to-me 1999 LC w/ 141,000 miles went on the other day. I took it to the dealer and paid to have it replaced. My wallet is now $370 lighter. Lesson: purchase an OBD2 reader and don't be afraid of DIY. It could save you $200 worth of labor and inflated prices on parts.

In related news: The rattling from my catalytic convertor is internal, not just the heat shield. Dealership price for replacement = $1,700 + 1 hour labor. What's that? Sorry... I couldn't hear you now that I've turned up the volume on my radio.

Seriously though, that's an expensive thing to replace. I understand it's because of the rare metals inside. Still, there has to be a cheaper way of getting the rattle to go away -- no?

 

[04UZJ100]

The check engine light on my new-to-me 1999 LC w/ 141,000 miles went on the other day. I took it to the dealer and paid to have it replaced. My wallet is now $370 lighter. Lesson: purchase an OBD2 reader and don't be afraid of DIY. It could save you $200 worth of labor and inflated prices on parts.

In related news: The rattling from my catalytic convertor is internal, not just the heat shield. Dealership price for replacement = $1,700 + 1 hour labor. What's that? Sorry... I couldn't hear you now that I've turned up the volume on my radio.

Seriously though, that's an expensive thing to replace. I understand it's because of the rare metals inside. Still, there has to be a cheaper way of getting the rattle to go away -- no?

I recall reading their so expensive because of the amount of rare metals in them. You can get a cheap Magnaflow one that has $5 worth of platinum in it. The Toyota's are worth $150 on the grey market when stolen in theft-prone areas.

 

[super90]

I once had a "rattle in a BMW cat". Shop said I should buy a new one as the rattle was internal. I waited. I looked at all the different options from aftermarket to OEM, as this was on a V8 motored car and it had dual exhaust and cats, which were very pricey from BMW. I waited more time. Months later I dropped the exhaust system to work on the shift linkage for the transmission (yes, you read that correctly), put it all back together again with new bolts and gaskets on the exhaust where it attached to the cat. Rattle gone. Forever.

Who knows, it might be the same strange oddity in your case. Best of luck.