Hey Everyone! Catalytic Converters need replacing?

**BdAsBrd01** · 12-08-2007, 09:12 PM

Hey everyone, glad to be a member! I have an '01 T/A (automatic) that I am having issues with, hope maybe you can help. I have just had tune up and 02 sensors replaced. The check engine light is still on, says on the computer that it is the catalytic converters. The dude that did the tune up says that they are both stopped up. Do they need to be replaced or can they be cleaned? Or do they have to be on at all....This is the eighth repair of the year.

Help! Any suggestions welcome..

**firemedic0135** · 12-08-2007, 09:47 PM

I domt know of anything that will clean them but you can clean them out(remove the material inside) and then have the codes deleted.
The cheapest option is get new cats.
another option is new headers and exhaust.

**t-rock** · 12-09-2007, 03:35 AM

took me about an hour to gut my cats (with a really big vice) and about 15 min for the guy to delete them. i went that route because the sensors are $86 apeice and it was only $30 to never have this prob again.. good luck

**Speedy_Gonzales** · 12-09-2007, 03:40 AM

Originally Posted by BdAsBrd01

Hey everyone, glad to be a member! I have an '01 T/A (automatic) that I am having issues with, hope maybe you can help. I have just had tune up and 02 sensors replaced. The check engine light is still on, says on the computer that it is the catalytic converters. The dude that did the tune up says that they are both stopped up. Do they need to be replaced or can they be cleaned? Or do they have to be on at all....This is the eighth repair of the year.

Help! Any suggestions welcome..

welcome to ls1..............check with your local dealer and see if they are still under warranty. I got a letter from GM last year saying there were issues with them and if they go out they would take care of it. Think it was 10 year or 120,000 mile warranty

**Danger731** · 12-09-2007, 03:40 AM

+ 1

**Speedy_Gonzales** · 12-09-2007, 03:55 AM

here is a thread with contact info on who to call
http://www.ls1.com/forums/showthread...ghlight=letter

**TransAm11973** · 12-09-2007, 06:41 AM

i jut gutted my cats, used along screw driver wo bust out the ceramic inside, and pulled out the chunks, then vaccumed it out. If your not careful and ger some pieces in the post cat exhaust pipe you may have to remove your mufflers to blow out the rest of the crap. Once I gutted them I have had no problems. I have O2 sims on my post cat sensors. Past inspection as well

**INMY01TA** · 12-09-2007, 12:06 PM

I believe the emissions equipment is warrantied for 8 years.

**Speedy_Gonzales** · 12-09-2007, 02:43 PM

Originally Posted by INMY01TA

I believe the emissions equipment is warrantied for 8 years.

GM sent the letters out because of problems.........10 year/ 120k

**Ryans99LS1** · 12-09-2007, 02:46 PM

Pay the $30 and have them tuned out. You'll never see this problem again.

**JL8Jeff** · 12-09-2007, 04:18 PM

Try to get GM to replace them under their recall. Then if they do replace them for you, remove them if you want and go with cat-delete pipes and tune out the rear O2's. Gutting the stock cats is a really bad idea because it creates an exhaust expansion chamber which will really mess up the flow more than it will help. If you gut them, you'd be better off having a pipe inserted in the shell.

**BdAsBrd01** · 12-09-2007, 05:10 PM

Thanks for all the help, I'll call the dealer tomorrow and see what I can accomplish with that line first. If that doesn't work then they're gonna have to go...next question..I keep hearing a scraping (tin can dragging) sound under right side of car, usually when accelerating. Is this related? Nothing is registering that would indicate what this might be. It's really driving me crazy...

**Marc 85Z28** · 12-10-2007, 07:58 AM

Originally Posted by BdAsBrd01

Thanks for all the help, I'll call the dealer tomorrow and see what I can accomplish with that line first. If that doesn't work then they're gonna have to go...next question..I keep hearing a scraping (tin can dragging) sound under right side of car, usually when accelerating. Is this related? Nothing is registering that would indicate what this might be. It's really driving me crazy...

If you meet the extended coverage limits they MUST cover you. The extended coverage for your car goes to 2011 or 120,000 miles, whichever occurs first.

Finally, that "tin can dragging" noise you're hearing sounds like the converter has actually broken up in the piping and is rattling around. Hopefully it hasn't reached the muffler

**BdAsBrd01** · 12-11-2007, 08:13 AM

I appreciate the help, Thanks! With my luck I am sure the worst possible scenario is exactly what has happened. Not being a pessimist but when something goes wrong with this car that usually turns out to be the case.
My friend said this to me today; "Just think, when you're finished with all the repairs you'll have built a brand new car..."

Not too funny to me, but I'm not giving up yet.