My son's 2008 H3 Alpha needs work on the catalytic converter. After doing some research, it's clear that this can get expensive. We're in LA Co and I'm looking for a repair shop with a rep for quality work at a fair price. The dealership in our area, Puente Hills Chevy, gave us some "interesting " quotes for some work on our H2, 4wd check light came on. After doing some reading here, found out repair wasn't needed, just some "rough" driving. But that's another story for the H2 area of this forum. Long story short, a past registration issue requires his H3 gets smogged, and he's had this catalytic problem for a little while now. Any recommendations or suggestions are welcome.

 

Scan and post the codes.

 

Don't have a scanner, any recommendations that aren't too expensive? I've been disabled since '96, my sons primary income was as a personal trainer in a gym, not much funds to go around.

 

Everyone that owns a vehicle out of manufacture's warranty, and wants to diy, needs a scanner. Start by buying an entry level scanner for $19.99::::>>>>

 

big chain auto parts stores usually will scan for free.

 

If your son good with hands and can weld...
I would cut it off, weld a straight pipe and would put an adaptor oxygen sensor, so check engine wouldn't go off. You will add some horse power and will create more pollution.. the only problem its a bi$ch to work with it, cince it attached to manifold...
If you want to change it- forget about word "diller" just erase it from your system... try to go see local classifieds or rockauto.com...
ND YES- get the scanner...

 

In CA, you cannot get or install an aftermarket cat for the Hummer, and cats (one each side) for the Alpha are $1100-1200 each, not including installation (which is a bitch because of where they are located). Cutting it out won't work either, even if you add a bung to reinstall the downstream O2 sensor, as the "Drive Cycle" will never complete without throwing a check engine light/code, making it impossible to pass smog.

I had a cat start giving me check engine light/code P0420 Catalyst System Efficiency Below Threshold (Bank 1).

It started doing it once every 6 weeks or so; after clearing, wouldn't show up again for awhile. Then got down to every other week. Eventually, it would not complete the drive cycle at all, making it impossible to get a smog check. I was able to at least buy time by getting a pair of Dorman Spark Plug Anti-Foulers from Auto Zone for about $7. Used them (drill one out for the O2 sensor to fit) to space the downstream O2 sensor out of the direct exhaust stream. Success! Hasn't thrown the code since (about 3-4 months).

 

In CA you obliged every year to pass an inspection?? Wow.
As an option get it installed in another state..

 

A lot of good stuff and people here, thank you. Final question, the pricing mentioned by 650Hawk is the same I found as well, if I can get some kind of a deal, if one is bad should I replace the other as well?

 

Are you paying ATTENTION?????? In CA they do an annual inspection, so doesn't matter who or where somebody chopped out OEM Cats, it will fail and you would have to do it again correctly to pass. So let's skip the hack it out advise and focus on proper replacement.