Failing CAT - Replacement Options?

[redline21]

I'm getting the following fault on my 2012 A7 3.0T:

13273 - Catalyst System; Bank 2
P0430 00 [11101101] - Efficiency Below Threshold

I can clear it with VCDS but it returns every time the engine comes up to operating temperature. I replaced the O2 sensor to no effect so I'm thinking the CAT must be on it's way out. I intend to sell the car soon to get a truck so I'm looking for an economical and reliable solution that will ensure it is running as it should be for the new owner with no codes. Any recommendations on a good replacement?

[VinnysS4]

You can always try to clean it and see if that helps . pull it out, hit it with some serious decreased like oven cleaner. let it sit and blast it with water. do this several times. I've seen it work. Mopar combustion chamber cleaner works really well at removing built up carbon

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[redline21]

I could, but I don't have a lift for removal and it looks like a real pain to get out. Is going through an exhaust shop and installing whatever replacement they can source a viable option?

[redline21]

Actually I just talked to a shop and they said it is $1,300 for an OEM replacement (they don't have/offer an aftermarket solution) plus labor. I'm not surprised at the cost, but it is a lot more than I was hoping to spend on a fix. If there is a decent aftermarket bolt-in replacement CAT out there I would love to know about it.

[devo321]

$1,300 doesn't sound bad considering the work involved and the cat materials

In terms of aftermarket, GAS (Garage Auto Sports) has high flow cats that claim to be 100% EPA compliant. They run about $1,700 for 2 though.

[Valpo A7]

Bank 2 I believe is the driver side and if that is correct then the steering mechanism is in the way. You will need to take the linkage apart to get that out. I know the OEM are stupid expensive. Rockauto has a left side budget friendly that looks almost exactly like the OEM for under $300 but not clue on how well it will work. Some platforms will only work with an OEM cat.

Technically you are not supposed to install a used cat converter but you can still find them for sale on e-bay and occasionally in the for sale section here at AZ.

The hardest part of the job is getting to the top flange bolts. The best option for this work is the 1/4 inch drive sockets for their lighter weight. You have to watch our for stripping the exhaust stud threads but replacing a stud is actually pretty easier with a $25 stud extractor.

[redline21]

Test pipes would be cheaper (no emissions testing where I am) but then I would be stuck with the CEL anyway and by the time I paid to get that coded out (on top of the test pipes) I could have almost bought the GAS high flow cats. I'll have to do some searches and see if anyone has had success with a RockAuto solution. I would be pretty hesitant to try a used CAT. I feel like the odds of it already having issues are fairly high, given that mine is failing at only 83k miles.

I suppose I could try putting it on jack stands and do it myself, though I'm less concerned about the labor cost of paying someone else to do it than the cost of the part itself.

EDIT: Looks like JHM has a high flow CAT option similarly priced to the GAS option. Their solution is nice as it moves the CATs down under the car away from heat. For a stock-equivalent I see Magnaflow has a "left" (bank 2?) CAT for about $850. It is out of stock on their website but appears to be available on other sites. Still expensive but a lot less than OEM.

[STXA7]

If you’re selling it , I agree about installing used cats. Someone had some for sale recently on AZ for $3xx can be found on eBay for similar price under $500 usually. I’m fairly certain you’ll get check engine code with stock tune.


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[devo321]

Test pipes would be cheaper (no emissions testing where I am) but then I would be stuck with the CEL anyway and by the time I paid to get that coded out (on top of the test pipes) I could have almost bought the GAS high flow cats. I'll have to do some searches and see if anyone has had success with a RockAuto solution. I would be pretty hesitant to try a used CAT. I feel like the odds of it already having issues are fairly high, given that mine is failing at only 83k miles.

I suppose I could try putting it on jack stands and do it myself, though I'm less concerned about the labor cost of paying someone else to do it than the cost of the part itself.

EDIT: Looks like JHM has a high flow CAT option similarly priced to the GAS option. Their solution is nice as it moves the CATs down under the car away from heat. For a stock-equivalent I see Magnaflow has a "left" (bank 2?) CAT for about $850. It is out of stock on their website but appears to be available on other sites. Still expensive but a lot less than OEM.

From what I've seen, the JHM ones aren't guaranteed to not throw a CEL. Since they move the cats downstream you've either got to extend your 02 senors down there (this will still throw a CEL from my research) or do some solution where you put test pipes where the stock cats are and try to move the 02 sensors out of the flow with some spacers.

From what I can tell, the JHM ones function to mitigate the stink that comes from running test pipes. Their test pipe tune usually turns off the CEL (doesn't get rid of it, just stops the code from illuminating the light)

[Valpo A7]

There is a product called CATACLEAN that may or may not work. I believe its a gas tank additive.

$27 at Autozone. Mixed reviews on it actually working though.

[redline21]

There is a product called CATACLEAN that may or may not work. I believe its a gas tank additive.

$27 at Autozone. Mixed reviews on it actually working though.

I'm usually skeptical of such products, but decided to give this a try. I dumped the bottle into my tank when I got to about 1/4 tank left (95 miles per the computer). I drove for about 30 miles and then filled up with premium. I cleared the codes and then took it for a drive again a couple of days later and let it warm all the way up to normal operating temp (usually the code is thrown somewhere during the warm-up process). No codes so far! So the product appears to "work" (however that happens), at least for the moment. We will see how long it lasts.

[redline21]

Well the "fix" was temporary. The third time I drove it after using CATACLEAN the code came back. So I guess it is back to looking at CAT replacement options. I'm leaning towards MagnaFlow at this point.