1998 Grand AM 3.1 Catalytic converter removal?

[chromedom]

New to this forum and working on this car. I need to change the catalytic converter (p0420) and was wondering if any special tools are needed? Any advice would be great too.

Thanks,

Dave

 

[richardgriese]

No? Penetrating oil (lots of it) Soak those bolt and tap on them every so often.

 

[chromedom]

Thanks for the quick reply. Will do with the oil.

Thanks again.

 

[melsg5]

You do realize that code can be a result of something other than having to change the convertor?

http://www.obd-codes.com/p0420

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[chromedom]

Thanks for the link. Reading it the only thing that wasn't checked was a manifold leak. The reason for thinking the cat is bad is rattling when hit with the palm of my hand, flow out the tail pipe seems low, and the exhaust to the cat also seems way hot. The car runs good with no noticeable loss of power. But, when you turn it off seem like you can hear the metal cooling off???? If you know what I mean. It's not overheating. I'll do more checks before changing it out.

 

[Zimgxp]

It's not uncommon for exhaust systems to make noise as they cool.

 

[richardgriese]

yea if you have an idea of working on cats in the past you can hit it. are you sure its getting hotter before and not after? do you have an IR thermometer? zim is right exhaust "pings" while its cooling after a drive-sounds like a rock or something hits it.