2002 Suburban LS - Catalytic Converter

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Mar 21, 2012 | 9:42 AM

Delray1969

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2002 Suburban LS - Catalytic Converter

Had an 0420 code come back for Bank 1 on 02 censor. Mechanic says it is the Catalytic converter.

$1135 to get it fixed. This seems high based on the part being in the $300-350.00 range, but maybe there is a significant amount of labor involved.

Any thoughts on this?

Mar 21, 2012 | 11:27 AM

EinST

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Welcome to the forum.

I don't know where you're getting the "$300-350.00 range" but the dual catalytic converters plus Y-pipe assembly (you can't just replace one unless you weld in an aftermarket part) is ~$750 from the dealership parts counter. Add in the diagnostics fee, miscellaneous gaskets, bolts, and nuts, and it can get to "$1135," depending on where you live. You can go aftermarket if you don't intend to keep the vehicle long. I'm not being unsympathetic but that's the reality of things.

Mar 21, 2012 | 12:15 PM

slw210

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How did the mechanic determine it was the catalytic converter?

Sounds about the right price for the dealer, depending on where you live.

For my 1986 Bronco, I paid $250 labor and pipe at an exhaust shop + $350 for a muffler, y-pipe and hi-flow catalytic converter I ordered online, this was four years ago.

Mar 21, 2012 | 9:56 PM

MDTAHOE

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From: Bowie, MD

PO420 never means anything to do with a sensor. Who ever told you that is clueless. 99% of the time it is a bad cat. He is most likely quoting for a dealer part. Most aftermarket cats on OBDII cars do not last long. At work we only use dealer cats to prevent disappointed customers 6 months- 2 years after installation of aftermarket cats

Mar 22, 2012 | 10:21 AM

in2pro

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From: Austin, Texas

Quote:

Originally Posted by MDTAHOE

The proverbial you get what you pay for...
If you have to go aftermarket to save money, its best to do it on parts that are relatively easy to replace...or as stated above you don't plan to keep the vehicle for much longer..

$1135 is 2-3 payments on a new vehicle... out of 60....

the vehicle is 10 yrs old so this kind of maintenance is not out of character...

Mar 22, 2012 | 2:20 PM

slw210

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A couple of things could be the cause of p0420 code (Catalyst System Effeciency Below Threshold).

Among them the front and/or rear oxygen sensor bad, an exhaust leak, malfunctioning catalytic converter or retarded spark timing.

That code is triggered by the front oxygen sensor reading similar to the rear oxygen sensor.

Many after market cats are superior or equal too those at the dealer.

Jan 13, 2013 | 9:29 PM

rbierschenk

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P0420 code, S10 pickup, 2.2 liter engine

I have been working on my sister's S10 1999 pickup, 2.2 MFI that has a P0420 code. It starts good when cold, and then I shut it down, no issues. Wait one hour then start it again, and it is very hard starting. I smell raw gas while trying to re-start. Otherwise, runs very good, no missing, no loss of power, and smooth idle. It also threw a p1870 code but the tranny seems fine. You seem like the guy who will have a good answer! Thank you!

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Jan 19, 2013 | 10:57 AM

markonion7989

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$1135 is too much. <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:TrackMoves/> <w:TrackFormatting/> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w

oNotPromoteQF/> <w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther> <w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian> <w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:SnapToGridInCell/> <w:WrapTextWithPunct/> <w:UseAsianBreakRules/> <w

ontGrowAutofit/> <w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/> <w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/> <w

ontFlipMirrorIndents/> <w:OverrideTableStyleHps/> </w:Compatibility> <m:mathPr> <m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/> <m:brkBin m:val="before"/> <m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/> <m:smallFrac m:val="off"/> <m:dispDef/> <m:lMargin m:val="0"/> <m:rMargin m:val="0"/> <m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/> <m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/> <m:intLim m:val="subSup"/> <m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/> </m:mathPr></w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]-->You can get a better catalytic converter from Magnaflow for less than the dealer. I used, Magnaflow Catalytic Converters at CWIK as they had the best prices and free shipping. Their product was awesome.