Fix your Catalytic Converter for $10?

Mike goes over the pros and cons of different catalytic converter fixes for a 2007 Lexus is250... but this applies to any modern car.

00:00 Intro
00:23 The Problem
00:54 Diagnosis
01:48 Options
02:49 Recommendation
03:33 Don't Do This
04:27 The Work
08:09 Close

Mike the Backyard Mechanic (not a real mechanic) works on his cars in his garage (not actually his backyard) and shows how to do repairs and mods, often not correctly, for your entertainment. Mike is not a REAL mechanic, he has common knowledge. Any injury, damage, or loss that may result from improper use of these tools, equipment, or from the information contained in this video is the sole responsibility of the user and not Mike.

[sb]

I always pull my engine out to check the oil level

[DouniaYousif]

Tried it and last Saturday (8/6/2023) my Smog PASSED!! Thank you!

[tombanes]

This works great. I did this 10 years ago and used the 90 angle adapters with it on a 2004 Golf. My coil pack keep cracking causing misfires causing permanent damage to my CAT. After 2 coil packs, you need OEM by the way, and 2 CAT pipes I did this.

[markhuyette]

Done so many times you can have brand new cats and still get that code on different vehicles I think it's a soft wear problem in their computer have a blessed day today 🙏

[therustichandyman]

I literally just watched this out of curioslty. Keep up the videos! Very entertaining (and informative:). You'll do well at this.

[NeonElixr]

I did the same trick about 10 years ago. I found it on the Mitsubishi Lancer forums. Using a spark plug fowler did the trick!

[twintarbos]

Thank you for this video, I'm glad I know how to avoid accidentally doing this now to drive my old car in California, really saved me from that blunder

[BTC]

Keep your air filter clean which could lead to that P0420 again. I use 'Dura Lube Severe Catalytic and Exhaust Treatment Cleaner Fuel Additive' with under a 1/4 tank of fuel. An older vehicle you can start to feel / hear when it's time to dump a 1/2 a bottle before the light comes on again. Do a treatment months before you have to do an emission test.

[Samael-Metzger]

Freaking hilarious and incredibly helpful if you can "read between the lines"! Thank you for showing me with great detail what NOT to do! I "didn't" do what you recommended me 'not" do and it resolved my problem..

[ntstudio]

I honestly didn't think this would work....but it did! Thanks my friend!

[simms]

Works great. I already did this to my 2013 Subaru Outback with 305K miles. It's been almost a year now.

[fernandomerino]

I did this for a friend. On a Chevy pickup. Plenty of room. Had I known the there are O2 spacers, it would have saved me some time from drilling it out. Thanks for the info. Now my Cadillac has the the P420. It has less room, so I will look for the O2 spacer. This will save me about $1, 200.00 + installation for just one. Catalytic converters are not sold in CA. Some stations don't do a thorough inspection. Thanks Mike.

[joshuameldru]

Awesome, just awesome!!

Thanks for sharing this and I won’t be doing this. I’m so glad you showed us what we shouldn’t ever do

[darrylmcleman]

The extender worked for me for about a month then P0420 code came back.The nearest repair shop told me there was no law against replacing the cat with a straight pipe here in my corner of rural Canada! cheers from here!

[MikeTheBackyardMechanic]

Thank you to everyone for the support! To clarify a few things:

I am a fan of clean air.
I do NOT advocate removing the cat. Performance increase is reportedly in the neighborhood of 1HP.
My working thesis is suggesting to (not!) do this on an old car where replacing the cats cost more than the car is worth.
This will not work in states that do a visual inspection. Texas does not do a visual inspection.
This will not work in states/counties that use a tailpipe probe. I'm surprised that is still done.
No, this does not fix the cat. The cat is still bad and could get worse and affect the engine. But it *did* turn off the CEL.
It doesn't always work, but in my estimation, it usually does.
I have an idea on how to save the cat. Will post that in a few weeks.

[thilau]

Definitely the funniest mechanical trick video I've seen on YouTube, especially when he goes to look for the precision tool in the iPhone repair drawer. But hey for the real mechanics as he says at the end... we had a good laugh and that's already good!😜😂👍

[dcmm]

Funny stuff. I am soooo glad you followed the emission laws. NOW I know what NEVER to do.

[benjones]

I swear I didn't follow your instructions and put this on my car. My car is not now passing inspection. And I am definitely not driving my car with this "fix". 😉🤭

[longobardir]

Honestly for most Toyota cars with over 180k, might as well pull the engine if you need to. You can easily swap rear main seal and oil pan gasket before they become an issue, all while you drop in new cats. Longo Toyota was cheapest place I found for OEM cats.

[PirxthePilot]

Spark plug non fouler trick is as old as dirt but it does work well. The key is not to offset the secondary O2 too much so you get " secondary O2 sensor too slow " it has to be in the flow but not see the whole flow. Thanks to all cat thefts occuring around that is the only reasonable repair mode for older and worn out vehicles.
Edit: For anyone wondering - my daughter catalytic converter was stolen along both O2 sensors right in front of the college dorm. I had to rent the trailer and haul the vehicle 250 miles home. I purchased a replacement cat (not oem) and sensors - it lasted 10 months before CEL - cat efficiency code was lit again . Yes my daughter is still in the same dorm 250 miles from home . Should I spend $1000 for an OEM cat that will be stolen again? I'll set up "go fund me page" for the ones that think I should do so 😂 - and finally fix it right...