Hello! Yesterday I got rid of my CEL (code 51) after filling my tank with a Chevron Fuel Injector cleaner, so I tought it was a great time to take it for my due emissions test which I failed.

The station told me it's very likely my Catalytic converter is bad, so I checked the numbers on my report and Indeed the HC & CO are high, I was doing some research and I read here...
http://www.aa1car.com/library/tr1196.htm
it might be the Catalytic because if my NOX were high it could be a EGR related problem but they are not.

Is there a way I can be sure my Catalytic in bad? I don't have the money to start replacing parts just guessing.

I went to a shop today but it was closed, I'm wondering if I have to replace it should I go with any particular brand? and how much do they usually charge for this job

Thanks!

 

You don't need a particular brand.. virtually any run of the mill muffler shop should be able to weld you one up/install one for about $100-$150 or so

 

Maybe I got ripped off but I ask two places one was $240 the next one $225 maybe if I kept asking it could go $200 but I didn't want to travel any further, so I paid the $225 they said they install the magnaflow but I did not check under the car, well the good part is that I did the retest and it Pass Thanks!

 

I wouldn't say you got ripped but that's a little high. You can buy direct bolt-on ones from online parts places like Rock Auto for a little bit over $100. Generally, exhaust shops just weld up flanges for you onto universal cats (which generally cost about $100). Nonetheless, all that matters now is that you passed, congrats

 

california has a different set of rules when it comes to catalytic converter replacement.

 

Warpspeed flanged $100 all day! Perfect fit...Are you sure that's really the problem!