QuestionQUESTION: My 1999 camry, 100,000 miles, 4 cylinder, had the check engine light come on. My repair mechanic ran the code and found this P0420. He said it is the manifold catalytic converter. The converter on the exhaust pipe had been replaced about 4 yrs ago at 70k miles. Are there any Toyota bulletins that address this? I saw mention of that on your site for other similar models. Very expensive to replace and mechanic said no aftermarket parts are available. He also thought getting one from a junk would be a problem to fit (warpage) and might have the same issue. What are your thoughts?
ANSWER: Catalityc converters are warranted for 8yrs/80,000 miles from the factory so it would be out of warranty anyway. The cat converter that is causing this common code is the one attached to the exhaust manifold so the entire manifold has to be replaced, it's up to you if you want to try a used one but it's a gamble, it may fail in a short time unless you know you ncan get one with about 50,000 miles on it.
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QUESTION: Have you had any experience with aftermarket converters? I have seen several brands online varying in cost from around $350 - 500, that state they fit this car. I am not living in California, so some of them that say the part is not for CA cars does not present an issue.
AnswerPersonally I have not had any bad experiences with aftermarket converters. Even though you don't live in CA if the car is CA emission certified it has to be the correct converter, the CA version uses an air/fuel fatio sensor, the non CA uses an O2 sensor, they are not interchangeable, so check the underhood label, make sure you are getting the exhaust manifold with the converter not the converter further downstream.
