1. Attachments are working again! Check out this thread for more details and to report any other bugs.

Catalytic coverter going out

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by pverde9901, Mar 21, 2016.

  1. pverde9901

    pverde9901 Junior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 24, 2007
    12
    2
    0
    Location:
    Austin, TX
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Hello,

    From reading the forums it seems like buying an aftermarket catalytic converter and having a local muffler shop put it on is most affordable way to handle this problem. I'm not sure how to pick the right one from Amazon though, could someone help me? My 2008 has right at 160K miles on it and besides the check engine light issue it seems to be running fine.

    Thank you, Pam
     
    #1 pverde9901, Mar 21, 2016
    blrose1228 likes this.
  2. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Nov 10, 2013
    16,470
    8,383
    0
    Location:
    Los Angeles, CA
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Model:
    II
    Is your car burning any oil? It's kinda early for a 2008 with 160k to need a catalytic converter. Just make sure the check engine light is related to the catalytic converter. This is the one you want, it's about $100

    Magnaflow 99205HM Universal Catalytic Converter
     
    #2 JC91006, Mar 21, 2016
  3. pverde9901

    pverde9901 Junior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 24, 2007
    12
    2
    0
    Location:
    Austin, TX
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
     
    #3 pverde9901, Mar 21, 2016
  4. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Nov 10, 2013
    16,470
    8,383
    0
    Location:
    Los Angeles, CA
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Model:
    II
    If the repair shop reported the code as needing the catalytic converter, then that's most likely the case. It always starts off with the check engine intermittently turning on and off....eventually staying on full time.

    You should monitor the oil usage on your car at this point, it's most likely burning oil and that's what caused the failure of the catalytic converter at such an early age. Just pop the hood and pull out the oil dipstick every 1000 miles or so and look at the level, takes about a minute. If you don't monitor the oil, you may run low and ruin your engine.
     
    #4 JC91006, Mar 21, 2016
    Last edited: Mar 21, 2016
  5. pverde9901

    pverde9901 Junior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 24, 2007
    12
    2
    0
    Location:
    Austin, TX
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Thank you. I will definitely start checking the oil. Do I need to check with anybody on whatever that CARB compliant issue is here in Texas? I found a Midas that will install it for $200-$300. Thanks again for all your guidance.
     
    #5 pverde9901, Mar 25, 2016
  6. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

    Joined:
    Mar 8, 2008
    18,199
    6,464
    0
    Location:
    Green Valley, AZ
    Vehicle:
    2015 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    You do not since Texas does not follow the lead of the California Air Resources Board with regards to vehicle emissions control.
     
    #6 Patrick Wong, Mar 25, 2016
  7. fotomoto

    fotomoto Senior Member

    Joined:
    Apr 22, 2009
    5,597
    3,771
    0
    Location:
    So. Texas
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    Correct but the OP lives in Travis county (Austin) which is only one of 13 of 254 counties subject to onboard emission testing (basically Austin, DFW & Houston). This is what they do: https://www.txdps.state.tx.us/rsd/vi/Misc/faq/faq_obdii.htm I'm not sure if it is the same as testing in CARB states.
     
    #7 fotomoto, Mar 25, 2016
  8. pverde9901

    pverde9901 Junior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 24, 2007
    12
    2
    0
    Location:
    Austin, TX
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius

    Thanks everyone. I am so thankful for Prius Chat.

    I got the catalytic converter from Amazon and a local muffler shop put it on for $150. Thank you again for all the help.
     
    #8 pverde9901, Apr 18, 2016
  9. fitnspark

    fitnspark Junior Member

    Joined:
    Jun 19, 2014
    14
    1
    0
    Location:
    Crystal Lake, IL
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Model:
    V
    pverde9901 can you tell me if what converter you used for your replacement and if you passed your emission's test? I only have 10 days to get mine fixed or I'll not be able to renew my plates in Illinois. I've been out of town for the past 3 weeks and almost all year with medical issues so I was shocked to see the reminder that I needed the emissions test done by the end of the month. I have a Prius that says California on the sticker and I can't afford to get this wrong. I need the car because of the medical issues going on and I really don't have the money to mess it up. Illinois does not have CARB testing but the car sticker says CAL so if I put a non factory replacement on the car will the codes and light reset and pass or will I still be in trouble? I have a 2008 Prius with about 135000 miles. Unfortunately the family medical issues have been first on the list so the service engine light has been on for several months. After the installation did the engine light go off on it's own or did you have to have the code removed? Can you give me any solid advice? I don't even know if I am writing this question properly in this forum. Thank you for any help.
     
    #9 fitnspark, May 18, 2016
(You must log in or sign up to post here.)