Catalytic converter

[Genesisheadache]

Check engine light came on and it says I need a new catalytic converter. The dealership is quoting me $1800 but they're looking for an after market one. I have a Genesis 4.6 2010 with 82,000 miles. My extended warranty won't cover it. What do you think?

 

[Rey]

If you live in California your options for a new converter are severely limited.
Otherwise, suggest you do a web search parallel with your dealer's search. I suspect your dealer's search will be confined to "drop-in" fitments, and the selection will be limited.
Most larger communities have exhaust specialist shops who can custom fit a generic converter at much lower cost.

 

[dmitriylm]

Do know the P code associated with the check engine light? 82k miles is pretty low for a cat replacement unless you're maybe dumping the lowest quality fuel available. Are you sure its not an o2 sensor rather than the cat itself? O2 sensor failure isn't that unusual while a cat failure could be worrisome.

 

[84FordMan]

^ I agree, the primary catalytic converters are built into the exhaust manifold and they are hardy units. Something has happened that has caused a premature failure and I would address that first.

Most common cause is unburned fuel leaving the combustion chamber and coming in contact with the catalyst substrate.

Good news is the aftermarket does have replacement converter manifold assemblies, $742.36 driver side and $737.59 passenger side if you get them direct from PlanetMagnaflow.com. I don't have a labor guide for it, I would imagine somewhere between 1.50 to 2.0 hours per side, average shop labor is $90-$100/labor hour.

Again, get us that DTC P-code before dropping any cash.

 

[Genesisheadache]

I will get the code. Keep in mind that this car has been the biggest piece of junk. Here is what has been fixed over five years of ownership.
Backup camera
Weather stripping around trunk and doors
Actuator in the dashboard
Yaw sensor
Passenger side mirror
Seat motor 4 times
Steering wheel motor
Dome lights
Abs module when my brakes decided to fail
Check engine light comes on a couple of times a year

Am I surprised the catalytic converter needs to be replaced early? Absolutely not. I blame myself for buying a car from a manufacturer that is unproven for producing long lasting reliable cars. It won't happen again.

 

[Genesisheadache]

The code given was P0420 catalytic converter. Efficiency below threshold tank one is what the dealer is telling me.

 

[technopeasant]

Arent catalytic converters covered under the 8 year / 80000 mile federal emissions warranty?
http://collision.enterprise.alldata.com/online2help/shopOps/Inspection_Forms,_System_Checklists_and_Customer_Questions/Answers_to_Common_Customer_Questions/Maintenance/What_are_the_rules_for_replacing_catalytic_converters.htm

 

[homeofstone]

I will get the code. Keep in mind that this car has been the biggest piece of junk. Here is what has been fixed over five years of ownership.
Backup camera
Weather stripping around trunk and doors
Actuator in the dashboard
Yaw sensor
Passenger side mirror
Seat motor 4 times
Steering wheel motor
Dome lights
Abs module when my brakes decided to fail
Check engine light comes on a couple of times a year

Am I surprised the catalytic converter needs to be replaced early? Absolutely not. I blame myself for buying a car from a manufacturer that is unproven for producing long lasting reliable cars. It won't happen again.

You have a lemon of car IMO. I have over 175,000 miles on my 2011 4.6 and have had none of the above problems. Regarding the brakes, did you do the recall regrading the brake fluid? What was wrong with the weather stripping? What grade of gas do you use?

 

[Genesisheadache]

I had all the recalls done over the past couple of years. Weather stripping was just peeling off. By the way, I realized after a year or so, the area around the ac buttons never lit up at night. I thought it was weird but I never took it to hyundai cause I just thought it may have been the way the car was made. When they took apart the head unit to fix the actuator problem, they must have reconnected something and it started lighting up. I was instructed to use 87 octane for the car or else I would have used 93. I have one more year of my extended warranty so we'll see what happens. I'm looking at a 2016 Lexus ES 350 cause of reliability but we'll see. Just like the tiburon I had before this Genesis, there are certain areas of the car that are losing paint like my door handles and the grill in front which pisses me off also. Keep in mind that I wash and wax regularly as I do with all my vehicles. My wife has an Acura RDX that is fantastic. I'm definitely taking no chances on my next car plus at Lexus or Acura, when you get work done on the car, they always have loaners. I have a friend who lives in Korea and he said these cars are not made to last. Big mistake. You got lucky.

 

[homeofstone]

I had all the recalls done over the past couple of years. Weather stripping was just peeling off. By the way, I realized after a year or so, the area around the ac buttons never lit up at night. I thought it was weird but I never took it to hyundai cause I just thought it may have been the way the car was made. When they took apart the head unit to fix the actuator problem, they must have reconnected something and it started lighting up. I was instructed to use 87 octane for the car or else I would have used 93. I have one more year of my extended warranty so we'll see what happens. I'm looking at a 2016 Lexus ES 350 cause of reliability but we'll see. Just like the tiburon I had before this Genesis, there are certain areas of the car that are losing paint like my door handles and the grill in front which pisses me off also. Keep in mind that I wash and wax regularly as I do with all my vehicles. My wife has an Acura RDX that is fantastic. I'm definitely taking no chances on my next car plus at Lexus or Acura, when you get work done on the car, they always have loaners. I have a friend who lives in Korea and he said these cars are not made to last. Big mistake. You got lucky.

FYI , I had an Acura before the Hyundai. My Acura had one problem after another and brakes every 40k or so. Brakes on the Genesis lasted to 130k and its been driven on the same routes. My Acura problems were, AC compressor, power steering pump twice, cat. converter, power steering rack, power steering hoses recalled, and it ended with numerous oil leaks on engine. I would go with Lexus if not Hyundai because my Genesis has been much more reliable than the Acura and also more so than my two Mercedes.
Good luck man, a problem car is such a PITA.

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[guybo]

A cat doesn't just go on its own unless it has very high miles- which yours does not. Something is wrong to make it go, if in fact it is gone. They need to do a flow test on the cats and if they are bad, the source problem with the engine has to be addressed first or you'll have to replace the cats again soon.

If the engine has a misfire, letting unburned fuel through or burning oil, these are a few things that can clog a cat.

 

[dmitriylm]

I had all the recalls done over the past couple of years. Weather stripping was just peeling off. By the way, I realized after a year or so, the area around the ac buttons never lit up at night. I thought it was weird but I never took it to hyundai cause I just thought it may have been the way the car was made. When they took apart the head unit to fix the actuator problem, they must have reconnected something and it started lighting up. I was instructed to use 87 octane for the car or else I would have used 93. I have one more year of my extended warranty so we'll see what happens. I'm looking at a 2016 Lexus ES 350 cause of reliability but we'll see. Just like the tiburon I had before this Genesis, there are certain areas of the car that are losing paint like my door handles and the grill in front which pisses me off also. Keep in mind that I wash and wax regularly as I do with all my vehicles. My wife has an Acura RDX that is fantastic. I'm definitely taking no chances on my next car plus at Lexus or Acura, when you get work done on the car, they always have loaners. I have a friend who lives in Korea and he said these cars are not made to last. Big mistake. You got lucky.

These cars are pretty reliable from what I can tell with many of them cresting over 100k miles without issues beyond normal maintenance. It sounds like you got stuck with a lemon unfortunately. I'm a bit soured on Honda/Acura do to all the transmission failures.

 

[Ronsan02]

I have a 2009 genesis 4.6 check engine light came on and I could smell exhaust inside the car and lost of power I attributed to the converters so I changed both sides, the car ran great for a day but again check engine light and lost of power has anyone had this problem? I have not had any problems with my genesis until now I only have 80821 miles on it this has been pretty relieable any suggestions?

 

[Mr. Incredible]

I have a 2009 genesis 4.6 check engine light came on and I could smell exhaust inside the car and lost of power I attributed to the converters so I changed both sides, the car ran great for a day but again check engine light and lost of power has anyone had this problem? I have not had any problems with my genesis until now I only have 80821 miles on it this has been pretty relieable any suggestions?

o2 Sensors.. scan the car and get the codes, without them it's shooting fish in a barrel.

 

[dakotajunkgenesis]

My 2009 genesis is junk as well. Misfire, burns 02 sensors, has been having issues since 50k miles. Abs system locked up, weather stripping falling off, paint peeling, forget everything else. Endless money pit. Never buy anything that isn't Toyota or Honda.