How to change your catalytic converter by yourself

You want to change your catalytic converter yourself, but you're hesitant to take the plunge. Nothing surprising, maintaining your car is one thing, changing parts yourself is another. Replacing the catalytic converter is within the reach of an amateur mechanic, provided that he has some specific knowledge and a minimum of tools. Krosfou offers you the tips and tricks you need to know before undertaking such a repair. From the choice of the part to the place of work, via the technical steps, here is how to change your catalytic converter like a real pro and in complete safety.

# 1 Buy THE right part

Mechanics are a bit like cooking. The success of the recipe does not depend solely on the skill of the cook/mechanic, it depends largely on the nature and origin of the ingredients. With Krosfou, you are guaranteed to find high quality parts at unbeatable prices.

Why choose us ? Our catalytic converters are made of stainless steel. Our products do not rust and stand the test of time. We source them directly from the factory that makes them and our value for money is unbeatable. We have a large stock of parts.

How do I do this ? Simply enter your vehicle registration number, make, model and engine into the search engine and that's it. All you have to do is choose a cheap catalytic converter at Krosfou and then the delivery takes place within a very short time.

# 2 Getting ready

Do-it-yourself vehicle repair involves having the right tools for the job and using safety equipment. You should also have the necessary equipment to collect used fluids so that they can be recycled later.

Your working environment should be safe and secure. Make sure your car is on a flat surface and that you work in a well-ventilated area. Only work on a cold engine and exhaust system, to avoid the risk of burns.

To replace your broken catalytic converter, here are the tools you need :

-a jack ;

- candles ;

- a standard fitting ;

- something to saw off your old catalytic converter, in case it is welded and not screwed on ;

- degreasing agent ;

- graphite grease ;

- the new catalytic converter and its fitting kit.

# 3 Disassemble the catalytic converter yourself

Once you have gathered all your equipment, disconnect the grounding plug from the battery and lift your car. All four wheels should be off the ground.

Locating the catalytic converter, is simple. This part is part of the exhaust system. It is located as close as possible to the engine and is connected to the exhaust manifold.

Firstly loosen the lambda sensor and all the sensors associated with your part. This step requires a lot of care or they may be damaged and need to be replaced.

Unscrew the catalytic converter mounting bolts. A little de-sealer may be necessary if the bolts are rusty.

Remove the screws and the old catalytic converter. The disassembly stage, which is quite simple you will agree, is now complete.

# 4 Mount the new part

First make sure you have all new screws and gaskets before you start reassembling.

The shape of your used catalytic converter may be different from the new part. This does not matter, the function and efficiency remain the same. What matters is that the fixing system is identical.

After greasing the fasteners and fitting the new gaskets, you can install the new catalytic converter. The arrow on the shell indicates the direction of exhaust gas flow and allows you to position the catalytic converter in the correct direction.

Refit the sensor assembly and screw it tightly together, to avoid leaks. Take care that the muffler has enough room to move without touching the bodywork. The sensor cables should not be in contact with the exhaust. You can finally lower your vehicle and reconnect the battery.

Turn on the ignition and make sure there are no leaks from the exhaust. Also check that the engine light does not activate. New replacements are often coated with paraffin, so don't be surprised if white smoke appears when the engine first runs. However, this should not last long.

The time taken for removal and reassembly varies between 2 and 4 hours. We recommend two people to do this, as it is difficult to hold and fix the catalytic converter at the same time. Although the part is not very heavy, it still weighs a few kilos. As an indication, the weight of a Peugeot 206 catalytic converter varies between 3,5 kg and 5 kg and that for a 307 oscillates between 3 and 7 kg. A little help is bound to be welcome !

#5 Good to know

Are you afraid to take the plunge because you don't have enough space ? Then, rent a workshop ! « Do it by yourself, but not alone » as one major DIY store says. There are nowadays a network of associative garages or self-garage throughout France. These are places that allow private individuals to work on their cars in a facility dedicated to mechanics, for an almost derisory sum, €45 for 2 hours' hire with certain brands.

The way it works is very simple, just make an appointment and book the equipment you want. This can be a lift or specific tooling, such as compressors or tyre balancing machines for example.

These self-service garages are accessible to everyone and have many advantages :

The time saving is considerable. You have the opportunity to work with quality tools in a place designed for mechanics.

Safety is guaranteed. You will use tools that have been tested in accordance with the standards in force and you will benefit from the sound advice of the professionals present on site.

The environment is preserved. You recycle used liquids properly and you don't risk polluting the soil.

The savings are real. If you add the rental price to the price of the catalytic converter purchased on the Krosfou website, you get a great deal.

It's a friendly place to be. You meet other passionate amateur mechanics and professionals give you direct advice.

You are now ready to start replacing your catalytic converter. If all you need is the part, you can find it on our website without delay. We have all models in stock and delivery takes only a few hours, so take advantage of it !

Do you want to know if your Catalytic Converter is Bad ? Do you want to know if your DPF is clogged ?