cat cost for an 98 explorer

[Russell]

Check engine light was on and I was recently quoted a cost of $700 for a bank 2 cat on my 98 Ford explorer eddie bauer with the 4 liter OHC engine 49 state version.

This seems excessive. Advance and AZ seem to have cats from Walker and others as a direct fit for $200-300? I know the Calfornia verson is diiferent and more costly. Perhaps I was quoted the califorina version price.

Owner of the very good shop was out this week as well and he usually gives all quotes. I will recheck.

 

[KeithS_NW_Ohio]

Have you checked rockauto.com?

 

[Mr Nice]

Did you use the AAP 40% discount code to price your cat ?

 

[Bluestream]

Find someone parting out their truck and offer them $50 for it. A 98 explorer doesn't need a $700 Cat

 

[wallyuwl]

Originally Posted By: Bluestream
Find someone parting out their truck and offer them $50 for it. A 98 explorer doesn't need a $700 Cat


I would also try this. Or from a junk yard.

I noticed you're also in Lexington. If you end up with a new one, you could do what I did a year or so ago (different vehicle). I got an Eastern cat from autopartswarehouse.com. I did their "price match" button or whaetver and gave them the price I saw for it on Rockauto, and they knocked another $60 off it. They actually beat Rockauto's price, and I got free shipping. Five Star Exhaust on Leestown put it in for me for $120 and it took a little over an hour.

 

[NHGUY]

As of 3 years ago,49 state cats cannot be installed in a California registered/inspected vehicle.I guess they wont pass the sniffer test.Now you can have a California emissions certification vehicle (like those sold in New England) and install a Calif emissions fit-but 49 state approved cat..thats fine. Be aware there are a lot of applications that state California emissions standards,and those that list 49 state standard....this has to match the EPA sticker under the hood.California cats and headpipes have extra 02 sensors,extra cats,different sized cats and may not fit a Federal emissions level vehicle.Normally the Calif model cost more.

 

[oilboy123]

I got a brand new walker cat for an old dodge truck for $90 on Ebay.

 

[LeakySeals]

Have you considered a spark plug anti-fouler? Running one now, just passed Mass emissions, they are almost as bad as CA ..Total cost $6. P0420/P0430 poof gone

 

[beast3300]

That works^^^^^ However I may or may not have done this.

 

[Russell]

Originally Posted By: wallyuwl
Originally Posted By: Bluestream
Find someone parting out their truck and offer them $50 for it. A 98 explorer doesn't need a $700 Cat


I would also try this. Or from a junk yard.

I noticed you're also in Lexington. If you end up with a new one, you could do what I did a year or so ago (different vehicle). I got an Eastern cat from autopartswarehouse.com. I did their "price match" button or whaetver and gave them the price I saw for it on Rockauto, and they knocked another $60 off it. They actually beat Rockauto's price, and I got free shipping. Five Star Exhaust on Leestown put it in for me for $120 and it took a little over an hour.

labor was only $80 from the shop i always use. I think there was a price mistake.

 

[Russell]

Originally Posted By: NHGUY
As of 3 years ago,49 state cats cannot be installed in a California registered/inspected vehicle.I guess they wont pass the sniffer test.Now you can have a California emissions certification vehicle (like those sold in New England) and install a Calif emissions fit-but 49 state approved cat..thats fine. Be aware there are a lot of applications that state California emissions standards,and those that list 49 state standard....this has to match the EPA sticker under the hood.California cats and headpipes have extra 02 sensors,extra cats,different sized cats and may not fit a Federal emissions level vehicle.Normally the Calif model cost more.
We bought the explorer new here in ky. Why would it be a california truck?

 

[Russell]

Originally Posted By: LeakySeals
Have you considered a spark plug anti-fouler? Running one now, just passed Mass emissions, they are almost as bad as CA ..Total cost $6. P0420/P0430 poof gone
I have no idea what this is? BTW, I am not concerned over an emmisions test none here in KY.. Just a check engine light on my dash.

 

[Texan4Life]

If it were me I would try a new upstream and downstream oxygen sensor of the suspected bad cat... if it is reading wonky, but still within limits it wont set an oxygen sensor code.

the ECM determines cat efficiency by comparing readings of the upstream and downstream oxygen sensors.

rockauto has OE direct replaces for about $25. for about $60 is it worth a shot IMO. worst case is you have two new sensors and know for a fact it is the cat.

 

[bdcardinal]

That sounds pretty cheap for a cat on one of those Explorers. Just quoted cats for a same year F150 and they were about $1800 a side straight MSRP not including labor or the one time use hardware.

 

[Chevys_n_Hawgs]

I don't know how much you want to spend, but I bought one of of E-Bay, for my 99 Blazer, for about 100 bucks. It was a new aftermarket one. It's been on about 2 years, and haven't had any problems with it.

 

[LeakySeals]

Originally Posted By: Russell
Originally Posted By: LeakySeals
Have you considered a spark plug anti-fouler? Running one now, just passed Mass emissions, they are almost as bad as CA ..Total cost $6. P0420/P0430 poof gone
I have no idea what this is? BTW, I am not concerned over an emmisions test none here in KY.. Just a check engine light on my dash.


HERE is some info. Basically pulling the downstream 02 out of the exhaust gasses and blocking some of the flow of gasses to the sensor. I only recommend using 1 not 2, because the 02 is supposed to get hot. A change to the DIY link is drill with a 3/8" not 1/2" to make the hole very tight around the sensor. Depending on the car, the ECU programming for the P0420 idiot light is 90% cat efficiency. Means the cat is likely fine and doing its job, and you will pass emissions. At some point you will fail emissions, then its time to replace that cat. May be years from now, or never, could last forever like that. What causes the cat to lose its efficiency? Could just be old but usually a combination of oil consumption and oil base additives like seafoam, MMO etc. in the gas.

 

[bdcardinal]

If the shop is using factory cats or quoting you on them the Federal and CA ones are the same.

RH side cat assy MSRP is US$927.91
LH side cat assy MSRP is US$1535.39

 

[clarkflower]

I had 2 cats replaced on a 95 BMW 5 series after someone cut them off

The dealer sent it out and there was a bill in the glove box from the muffler place.
$400 bucks. I was shocked at how low it was.

 

[paulo57509]

Check for your application here:

http://www.magnaflow.com/02converters.asp

Once you have the part number, start shopping around.

I've bought two Magnaflow CA-certified, direct-fit cats off ebay at crazy low prices. It worked for me twice.

 

[Russell]

Originally Posted By: paulo57509
Check for your application here:

http://www.magnaflow.com/02converters.asp

Once you have the part number, start shopping around.

I've bought two Magnaflow CA-certified, direct-fit cats off ebay at crazy low prices. It worked for me twice.


Thanks,