catalytic converter

When is it due for the next California smog check?
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Correct me if I'm wrong but its against the law to not re-install the CC on a car in California. And yes it won't pass a smog. Minute they see the check engine light your done. They won't even bother hooking up the exhaust tester.

Not good for the engine to run missing any exhaust component. Tends to lean out the motor which is bad as lean=heat.Also the motor may be complaining too and may have thrown its own check engine light you'll never know unless you pull all the codes with a Hybrid capable OBDII tester.

This car can be very expensive if you drive around with a check engine light on and not address it. Its already not happy struggling with hills
which tells me the engine is having a hard time or has a Hybrid issue.

Its doesn't have a red car icon on the mfd with an exclamation point through it does it? That's a Hybrid nag. Describe what you call a check engine light?

 

What does "has been out" mean: does it mean that the original catalytic converter has failed but remains installed; or does it mean that the cc was actually removed and a straight pipe installed in its place?

If the former, then the reason why engine performance is poor is because the cc has become blocked and is restricting exhaust gas output. This reduces the ability of the engine to produce power.

Since you want the car to last 150K miles more, install a new cc for $1.8K and be done with the problem. Living in Carmel, you don't want your car to be a source of unnecessary air pollution. Good luck.

 

If you can get the codes read and list them here, it would help with the advice. If your mechanic does not have a Prius specific code reader, then you are potentially missing some important info.

 

Why did the engine need replaced? Was the cause (if any) fixed?
If you plan on keeping it for a long time, I would definitely replace the cat. I'm sure you could find a used one for much less than $1800, though.

 

It is not legal to 1) install a used catalytic converter in CA:
http://www.arb.ca.gov/msprog/aftermktcat/amcatq&a.pdf

or 2) install a new catalytic converter that has not been approved for sale in CA. A new catalytic converter is costly (even if aftermarket) because of the 5 year/50K mile warranty requirement.
http://www.arb.ca.gov/msprog/aftermktcat/installcatq&a.pdf

In the US it is legal to install a used catalytic converter only if it has been tested and found to meet spec:
http://www.epa.gov/otaq/cert/factshts/catcvrts.pdf

 

New catalytic converter from Camelback is $1301.04 (if free shipping possible). However, given the odd size (length), you'll likely have to pay for shipping, bringing total to $1430.84.
LINK to Camelback; assumed base 2007 Prius.

Contact Luscious Garage to see cost of labor, labor and your supplied part, labor and their supplied part. LINK to Luscious.
Maybe Luscious will allow your part to be shipped directly to them for installation?
Carmel, CA, to Luscious Garage in SF, is about 121 miles/2 hours away.

I hope you now check your oil level with some regularity; at the very least every gas fill-up.

Good luck.

For California, Hybrid-Electric vehicles are currently exempt from all Smog Check inspections until December 2014.
LINK to Notice.