Replace Catalytic Converter Without Welding
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I need a new cat for my 1996 GMC van. As a beginner amateur welder I was hoping to weld it in myself but decided not to for various reasons.Anyway my local muffler shop quoted me $175 for labor to weld this in. Is that about right?The job seems relatively straightforward. It would involve cutting out the existing cat and welding the new one in.
3 inch pipes. So what is that. About 9 inches of welding at either end? Stainless steel. No access issues.
Replace Catalytic Converter Cost
I'm in California so the cats are California compliant.Thank you! What else is left of the rest of the exhaust system?Unless the whole system was replaced within the last few years, as soon as anyone touches any part, you're going to have a pile of rust where the pipes were.Consider carefully on trying to pinch pennies to replace 1 part and then piecemeal replace the rest of it.You need to get out.of New York. Out West here we don't get much rust, in fact a bigger issue is the exhaust/turbo bolts loosening up and falling out! I suppose if he lived seaside it might be rusty but if you can afford to live seaside in CA you wouldn't be working on a 20 year old van.well unless you are Bob Dylan or somebody. You need to get out.of New York.
Out West here we don't get much rust, in fact a bigger issue is the exhaust/turbo bolts loosening up and falling out! I suppose if he lived seaside it might be rusty but if you can afford to live seaside in CA you wouldn't be working on a 20 year old van.well unless you are Bob Dylan or somebody.Well! Pardon my provincialism.I am just too darned used to stuff rusting out long before it has a chance to fall apart.I would LOVE to be rid of NY. But the pay is just so darned good at a job I've held since 1997. Plus, most of my family still lives here.
Around here they are stolen way before they have a chance to rust This is my concern when I finally find a 4x4 I am willing to lay down cold hard cash for I have been thinking of a way to brace the converter to chase off vandaling thiefs but every cage I come up with just creates more damage when it is cut away by thiefs. In the end it will probably be a very loud alarm activated by any movement under the vehicle or motion of the vehicle. That will get old fast with cats and dogs walking under the vehicle.
There has to be a way to prevent this with out driving every one nuts.Last edited by N2 Welding; at 02:22 AM.
Park in a level place and jack the vehicle up at all four wheels and support on jack stands. Replacing your vehicle's catalytic converter isn't quite like replacing a tire — you'll need to raise the entire vehicle off of the ground, rather than just one corner. It's very important to find a level spot to do this maintenance on your car. If your car is not stable, you risk serious injury or death if your jacks fail. If you have access to a professional-quality hydraulic lift and know how to safely use it, this is also an acceptable way to lift your car when replacing the catalytic converter. Allow the vehicle's exhaust to cool down.
If your vehicle hasn't had an opportunity to cool down after running, its exhaust system can still be quite hot. To reduce the risk of painful burns, give your vehicle a chance to adequately cool down before working on it.
Depending on your vehicle's exhaust system, this will usually be a matter of just a few minutes. To test the heat of the exhaust system, put on a pair of heavy mechanic's gloves and gently brush the exhaust tube with the back of your hand.
If you can't feel any heat, you may cautiously repeat this test without the glove. Locate the catalytic converter. Slide under the vehicle and locate the tubes of the exhaust system, which should run all the way to your vehicle's rear exhaust. The converter should not be terribly difficult to find — it will usually take the form of a rectangular or rounded 'box' in the middle of your exhaust system. Some models can have a roughly cylindrical shape.
Check to see whether the converter is bolted or welded to the rest of the exhaust system at its connection points. You may need to take it to an auto shop to have it repaired if it has already been replaced and welded back into position, rather than bolted. You can still replace a welded converter if you have access to a sawzall (or similar tool) and a welding machine and know how to safely use both, but these advanced tools are beyond the mastery of most amateur mechanics.
Alternatively, for welded-in converters, cut the converter out. If your converter is welded into the rest of the exhaust system, rather than bolted in, the only way to remove it is to physically cut it out of the pipes it's connected to. Most mechanics will use a sawzall or similar tool for this purpose. Cut along (or near) the existing weld lines, then remove the converter after it's cut free. If you finish and the converter won't seem to budge, you may want to use a hammer to knock it out of its place as long as you take care not to damage or rattle any other parts of the exhaust system (this can lead to harmful exhaust leaks down the road).
Always defer to any included instructions. The instructions provided in this article are written for general cases of catalytic converter installation. Because the exact part needed and the installation process can vary from vehicle to vehicle, the steps you’ll need to replace your vehicle’s converter may be different than the ones here. When in doubt, always follow the instructions provided with your replacement part or consult the advice of a knowledgeable mechanic. Converters have a specific direction they should flow and have an arrow for direction of exhaust flow.