I have a 2002 Jeep Grand Cherokee, with the v8 4.7 motor in it. It is a powerhouse…well, it was a powerhouse. Lately, there have been power issues.
When attempting to accelerate quickly, the Jeep would lose power. It seemed stuck at 3,000 RPMs. The transmission was acting funky and would not shift when it needed to. Going up hills was a real bear.
A few weeks ago I noticed the Jeep having issues, and then a check engine light came on. It indicated the upstream O2 sensors needed to be replaced. I drove around like that for a couple of weeks before changing the sensor. I believe that may have, in part, lead to my current predicament. The inside of a catalytic converter looks like a honeycomb, or imagine a bunch of tiny straws taped together. When the upstream sensors failed, the computer did not know what to do to make the motor run properly, so it dumped a bunch of extra fuel into the engine. The catalytic converter’s job is to clean up any junk left in the exhaust, including that extra fuel. It can cause clogs. I am sure this cat was already in poor shape and this was the final nail in it’s coffin.
Now, the 2002 Jeep Grand Cherokee has three catalytic converters on it. Two are directly off the exhaust headers. Those combine in a Y pipe that leads to the third cat. That cat then exits to the muffler and out the rear of the vehicle.
Figuring out which of the three cats went bad can be a pain. With a friend’s ODB tool we made an educated guess that the secondary cat was the problem child and the others were fine (their O2 sensors should have given an indication if not). Catalytic converters are expensive though! So before going and spending a bunch of money on things I wanted to make sure this was the issue. That can be done with a test tube.
Test tubes used to be a thing you could commonly buy, but I think they may have been abused by people not replacing the cats. By the way, your car is required to have a catalytic converter by federal law! Test tubes are simple to build yourself though. To get one into the Jeep, all I did was pull out the trust saws-all, cut the pipe a couple of inches on either side of the cat, and slide new pipe in. The whole operation took less than an hour. Now I can drive around for a couple of days to see if the proper power is back before replacing the cat, or I will know the other two cats also need replacing and have to dig deep into the wallet.
Here are a couple of pictures of the whole operation, and oh boy is the secondary cat clogged! My fingers are crossed the other two are ok.
Video of the difference in sound
Now, the 2002 Jeep Grand Cherokee has three catalytic converters on it. Two are directly off the exhaust headers. Those combine in a Y pipe that leads to the third cat. That cat then exits to the muffler and out the rear of the vehicle.
Does Jeep Grand Cherokee have catalytic converter?
The catalytic converter in the Jeep Grand Cherokee will be useless and will just become a restriction in the exhaust system if it is not installed in an area where it can work at 450+ degrees F. If the cat con is operating well, the exhaust will flow smoothly due to the high velocity and heat of exhaust gases.
How much is a Jeep Cherokee catalytic converter worth?
The average cost for a Catalytic Converter Replacement is between $1,454 and $1,482 but can vary from car to car.
What is the price of catalytic converters?
The average catalytic converter ranges between $800 and $1,200, depending on the vehicle’s make and model. In general, the larger the engine, the more expensive the converter. Keep in mind that these prices only include the cost of the converter unit itself.
What is the best way to clean catalytic converter?
Does a 2000 Jeep Grand Cherokee have a catalytic converter?
Jeep Grand Cherokee 4.0L 2000, Catalytic Converter by AP Exhaust®. Converter Configuration: Direct Fit. Catalytic Inlet Diameter: 2.5″. Catalytic Outlet Diameter: 2.25″.
How are catalytic converters stolen?
How Are They Stolen? Thieves generally steal a catalytic converter by sliding underneath the car and sawing it out of the exhaust system. With a hand-held power saw, the whole operation can take just a few minutes.
Does a 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee have a catalytic converter?
The catalytic converter is a part of your 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee’s exhaust system. The catalytic converter’s function is to turn the carbon monoxide created by the combustion process into carbon dioxide.
Does a 2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee have a catalytic converter?
Jeep Grand Cherokee 4.0L 2004, Standard Catalytic Converter by Eastern Catalytic®. Converter Configuration: Direct Fit. Position: Rear. Location: Undercar.
How much is a 2000 Jeep Grand Cherokee catalytic converter worth?
Used 2000 jeep grand cherokee catalytic converter sold eBay prices are $288. New current listings averaged $-445 lower vs used current listings for a difference of -46.74%. On Amazon, the average price is: $132 for the first 10 product results.
How much is a Honda CRV catalytic converter worth?
The Best in Auto Repair The average cost for a Honda CR-V catalytic converter replacement is between $1,833 and $1,863. Labor costs are estimated between $114 and $144 while parts are priced at $1,719.
What are the most stolen catalytic converters?
Catalytic converters are expensive car parts that contain precious metals, such as platinum, making them an easy target for thieves to sell in scrapyards. In a tweet, the Salisbury Police Department said the most commonly reported thefts were among Toyota Priuses, Honda vans and pickup trucks.
Can I get money for my old catalytic converter?
Catalytic converters are so valuable in the metal recycling industry because of the precious metals they contain. Catalytic converters contain platinum, palladium, copper, nickel, cerium, iron, rhodium, and manganese. Your best bet is to sell your catalytic converter to a core buyer or smelter to be recycled.
Is catalytic converter worth replacing?
The engine could have bad seals or gaskets that are causing antifreeze or unburned fuel to enter the exhaust system. In this case, the converter is probably not worth replacing because the new part will quickly become damaged as well. Unless you address the underlying cause, then the problem will continue.
How much gold is in a catalytic converter?
Catalytic converters contain Platinum, Rhodium and Palladium. However, there is no gold in catalytic converters.
How much is the platinum worth in a catalytic converter?
Depending on the age and type of vehicle, the PGMs in a catalytic converter can be worth anywhere from $100 to a rare $1,000 or more. The newer and/or smaller cars being closer to $100. The larger, older vehicles could have catalytic converters worth $600 and up.
Can I put Cataclean in full tank?
This is the same place where you would put gas. Step 2: Drive your vehicle for at least 15 minutes to allow the Cataclean to get into your vehicle’s parts. Step 4: Refill your gas tank at the fuel pump. It’s recommended you fill it at least three-quarters full.
Can I hit my catalytic converter with a hammer?
Get a rubber hammer from Autozone, get the car up as high as you can, (loft would be righteously awesome here,) wail on it wiht dead blows to the center, front, and rear of the catalytic converter.
Is removing catalytic converter illegal?
Removing the Converter If your car came with a catalytic converter you’re looking at fines of up to $10,000 for removing it. Removing the catalytic converter is illegal, but getting caught without one isn’t. Most states will simply suspend your smog certification until you get a new one installed.
Does removing catalytic converter affect engine?
Removing the catalytic converter lessens the strain on the engine due to its restricting effects. The engine will no longer have to work double time to produce the same energy when the converter is still in place.