Is replacing a catalytic converter a "do it yourself" project?

Dealership recommends replacing my cat for $1,100. I'd prefer to do it myself. It doesn't look very difficult, although I am only a novice when it comes to auto repairs.

Anything I should know before I commit to doing it myself? I have a 2008 6-cylinder Tacoma twin cab with 150K miles.

Let me know.

 

If you can turn a wrench you can do it yourself. A couple bolts, that are probably rusted pretty tight, is all it really is. I would recommend spraying some liquid wrench on them the night before, just to help loosen everything up. Does the 2008 have 4 cats? Which one are you replacing?

 

If you can dodge a wrench, you can dodge a ball

 

TheFang - Thanks for your response and questions. So, how many cats...I don't know. Just learned today there are more than one.
The estimate documentation says replace catalytic converter and gaskets: P0430 - Bank 2. However, I believe that's simply the error code. I assume its the cat under the engine, but I guess I need to do some more research on that part.

 

Ok, so I believe you have 4, same as my truck. Easy way to check is lay on your back under your truck and look at the exhaust pipe. You can follow it up from the rear of the truck, and when it splits into 2 pipes, count the number of large bubble things that look like a snake tried to swallow an egg in each branch of the pipe. Those are the CATs. Either one or two per side. If you have 4, from back to front, the first CAT you come to is part of your Y-pipe, and can easily be done by yourself. The next CAT you see is attached to your exhaust manifold, one solid piece; CAT and manifold and that ends bolted against your engine, which is gonna be a beast to replace by yourself. I might have someone do that one for you. If you buy a CAT, it usually comes with the necessary gaskets so don't worry about that part.

The code is what makes this tricky. A couple things can cause a P0430 code such as:

• Faulty catalytic converter
• Engine misfire
• Fuel injector leaking
• Engine mechanical damage
• Oxygen sensor that has improper readings
• Exhaust leak

Your oxygen sensor that is in your exhaust pipe only monitors the health of the forward most CAT, the one that is the CAT/manifold one piece deal. So if it truly is a CAT problem then its probably the forward one.

 

okay...we're getting there. thanks for detail BTW.

So, when you suggest the CAT/manifold replacement (forward most CAT) is a "beast", can you clarify? Is the job a "beast" because its heavy and hard to access from underneath OR is it something a novice like myself might regret because I really f-something up? It doesn't seem terribly complicated looking at it but you never know until you start taking stuff apart.

 

IMHO if you've never worked on exhaust systems I'd say this one might not be the one to try by yourself. Any friends at work willing to give you a guided hand? 2008 with 150k I'd be takin it to a good local Muffler Brothers shop for a 2nd opinion.

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/p0430-troubleshooting.527753/#post-17180127

person says that the code most of the time is cat issue

Manifold cats can be a pain to change out and hope you don't have a stud break off in the head

 

The studs that hold your manifold to your engine are what could cause this to be a beast of a change for a novice. Not only are they hard to get to, but they are made of steel, and are threaded into the aluminum block of your engine. Steel is a much harder of a metal than aluminum and you can quite possibly strip the threads in the block or break off a stud in the block. Both require a lot of work to repair.

 

had this code start showing up the last week was gonna throw my code reader on this weekend and watch the o2 readings. what should I be looking for both good and bad. I have had P0101 a lot but i think thats to do with my TRD CAI being a POS and having a massive leak in it could this be part of my problem or prob cat?

 

I would fix the intake leak that is causing the P0101 code first cause that's an easy, and cheap, fix compared to a CAT.

 

it hasnt come back since I put tape on it but the entire system is screwed i need a complete new CAI and that is also expensive

 

Thanks all for your responses. This is exactly what I needed to know.