How Much Does A Catalytic Converter Replacement Cost?

The cost of catalytic converter repair varies greatly depending on the make and model of your car, your location, and can be quite expensive. In general, you can expect the following costs for a catalytic converter replacement service:

• Catalytic converter (parts): $1000 to $2500
• Labor charges: $100 to $200

So you can expect to pay around $1100 to $2700 for a new catalytic converter installation (including labor charges). These costs may increase if your car needs additional repairs.

How Urgent Is A Catalytic Converter Replacement?

A damaged catalytic converter can severely damage your other engine components and affect the engine performance. It can also be the consequence of other serious engine problems like cylinder misfires. So it’s best that you seek professional help ASAP. 

Bad catalytic converters may cause the following problems:

• Poor engine performance
• Overheated engine
• Harmful gases escaping from the exhaust system, etc.
• Failed emissions test

As a result, most mechanics recommend routine exhaust system maintenance along with catalytic converter inspection to avoid costly repairs in the future.

Signs You Need a Catalytic Converter Repair

A faulty or malfunctioning catalytic converter can manifest itself in many ways, including: 

• A rotten smell from the exhaust: The catalytic converter converts the smelly sulfide from the exhaust gas into odorless sulfur dioxide. A malfunctioning catalytic converter will fail, and the smelly sulfide will exit the exhaust, causing a rotten smell. 
• Poor acceleration: Overheating or carbon buildup with the catalytic converter will block partial exhaust flow, restricting power supply and causing poor acceleration when going up a hill or towing a heavy load.
• A rattling noise from the engine: If parts of the honeycomb material inside the catalytic converter break apart from excessive heat or damage, it’ll cause a rattling or clicking sound under your vehicle while idling or driving.
• Reduced fuel economy: A blocked or clogged catalytic converter will lower the airflow in the exhaust system, causing your car to burn more fuel than it needs. 
• An illuminated Check Engine Light: A faulty catalytic converter will alert the oxygen sensors in your engine (when they detect the exhaust gases are not being catalyzed), triggering the Check Engine Light in response. You may also get an ODB trouble code like P0420 or P0430.
• Failed emissions test: A failed emissions test or smog test indicates a clogged catalytic converter that isn’t functioning properly. 

Catalytic Converter Replacement FAQs

Here are some common queries about a catalytic converter repair and their answers:

1. What Is A Catalytic Converter?

Catalytic converters are emissions control devices. Your car will have at least one, and it’s located downstream of the engine, at the bottom of the vehicle. It consists of two pipes and a catalyst chamber.

The catalytic converter is an important component in the exhaust system. Its job is to reduce harmful emissions from a car by processing the harmful emission gases into safe components (like steam) before they get released into the air. 

2. What Causes A Bad Catalytic Converter?

Here are some factors that can cause damage to the catalytic converter:

• Delayed engine tune-up that eventually caused wear and tear to the catalytic converter
• Bad spark plugs or loose spark plug wires
• Oil or antifreeze entering the exhaust system
• Unburned fuel entering the exhaust system
• Faulty or damaged oxygen sensor
• Structural damage to the engine

3. How Do I Replace A Catalytic Converter? 

Here’s a general overview of how your mechanic will perform catalytic converter replacement or repair: 

1. Raise the vehicle at both the front and rear end. Spray the nuts and bolts on the pipes and parts that need to come out.
2. Disconnect and remove the O2 sensors from the catalytic converter. 
3. Remove the bad catalytic converter. 
4. Use a sanding block or gasket cleaner on a drill, and thoroughly clean the flanges on the manifold/muffler/exhaust pipe.
5. Remove the rest of the exhaust components that may need replacement.
6. Compare the new converter and the existing pipe and make sure they seal together. 
7. Install the new exhaust pipes and gaskets before installing the new catalytic converter. Use anti-seize grease on all the bolts and studs.
8. Install the new catalytic converter and the O2 sensors. 
9. Start the engine and do a test drive. Check for leaks or loose connections.