Cat replacement

[OldSoldier]

Hi All

Being so very pleased with my SC430 and a Dealer health check which didn't highlight the exhaust system but other bits, I was a surprise to be told when the engine light came on and I took her in, that a hole in the pipe in bank 1 CAT would mean a new CAT and possibly tail end exhaust system, by Lexus Bolton - £1500 if some of the exhaust system could be reused if lucky, and £2500 if not lucky  

If the whole system from manifold needed replacing, this would be over £5000 - and if both sides then presumably £10,000

Can you advise someone who could repair or replace, without needing a remortgage, a hole in a pipe on the CAT section?

Thank you 

[Neil E]

That sounds like poor advice. Firstly they need to take a proper look at it and clearly explain what needs to be done.  

Most check engine lights relating to the exhaust are for faulty Lambda sensors but if one of the cats has a hole in it, a reputable exhaust builder should be able to offer a replacement for approx. £300 each, perhaps less.

A cat back exhaust system might be anything from £450 to £800 depending on how it's made. One option is to delete the 3rd catalytic converter which improves matters and saves money.

So assuming the manifolds are good, worst case... 2 cats, 2 lambda sensors and a cat back exhaust that would make a nice V8 growl, probably no more than £1400 but I would be very surprised if a good repair could not be done for a lot less. MIJ in Walsall or Powerflow should be able to help but there are lots of others who can make up stainless steel exhausts. Just did a quick search in Lancashire and Pipe Werx in Ormskirk have good reviews. 

If you perform a search for SC430 custom exhausts you will be able to see what some of the owners have done. 

 

 

[OldSoldier]

Thank you Neil E

As I'm a layman with cars I should probably benefit in understanding what the components of the SC430's exhaust system are, so I'll do some reading. 

Going to a 3rd party for a second opinion sounds like good advice and I shall do that, thank you. 

The engine light has since gone off, and has been off for the last 3 days, so my guess is that something is either on the edge of tolerance or being affected by the 'hole' in the system changing the conditions. 

Some of the uncertainty I'm told, is owing to not knowing if the aged rusting bolts will disconnect cleanly, if so more of the existing system can be reused, if not then other parts of the system we need to be replaced. 

Naturally I would want to utilise as much of the existing system as possible and thereby retain the most value. 

Thanks for your advice. 

 

[Neil E]

There's plenty on the various SC430 forums about exhausts, a little light reading and you will soon become an expert. Rusty old exhaust bolts can be a problem at times but experienced technicians should be able to cope.

Good luck, hope you get it resolved for a reasonable cost and do let us know how you get on. 

[Bob King]

My car had a handbuild stainless steel exhaust on it from downpipes backwards cost was £950 so much cheaper that a lexus system 

        There are exhaust  specialists up and down the Uk ...it's just finding a good one in your area .

[OldSoldier]

Eventually found an exhaust garage who could do the job for £500 which included pipe tips. 

They didn’t do a proper job the first time, after a couple of weeks the blowing exhaust was back, and it turned out that the way the additional pipe had been connected, caused something else to bend, opening a gap between two mated flanges 

After a revisit and a different engineer, two weeks later it sounds ok. 

Now back to Lexus for that engine light. 

Ps what a difference to the gear change when there’s a hole in the exhaust. With a blowing exhaust I noticed that the gearbox wouldn’t change down until the accelerator pedal was pressed 70% of the way down, at which point the car would drop 2 gears and go fast.

With a blowing exhaust my Sc430 had two speeds, sluggish slow and screaming, nothing in between

 

[Neil E]

The most common cause of the engine light is an O₂ sensor failure. If you can get the code read it should confirm where the issue is. 

[OldSoldier]

Thanks Neil E

After a check with Bolton Lexus - the Sensor on the exhaust (£1000) and headlight sensor replacement (£900) with a suspension component replacement is only going to cost £2600 so as it’s an MOT fail I have little choice 

Fingers crossed for trouble free motoring this year!

#labouroflove

 

 

[Neil E]

You don't have to pay those prices. I think my last Denso exhaust sensor was about £90.

Which headlight 'sensor' and suspension component needs to be replaced? There are some very good independent garages that can help. 

[Malc]

quite frankly I would take your car to an independent MOT station and an indy mechanic .............. from a recommendation from someone on here in your area.

Lexus Bolton are probably taking you for a very expensive ride.......  it's so unfair

Malc

[The-Acre]

I agree with other comments, you don't have to pay anything like that.  As Neil says, O2 sensors are available for much less.  When I had a GS I bought a Denso sensor for a third of the main dealer price, the identical part.