OP
Oh, the check engine light was on, alright. I saw that myself.
Expensive Phone Call
- Thread starter olfart
- Start date
Oh, the check engine light was on, alright. I saw that myself.
I know of drivers who got to 200k on the Hyundai-Kia cars but the direct injection engines were very troublesome with many replaced as yours was. I basically retired from auto repair in 1999 so not familiar with the newer systems. My recommendation is assuming you have an honest repair shop and they can get it running right without a CEL (check engine light) then keep up the maintenance and as long as the CEL stays off you should be good for some time with the converter issue resolved.
Should you sell it or keep it?
AS long as it does not become more of a money pit after the converter replacement, the rest of those vehicles seems to be reliable. If that proves to not be the case then It's time for a replacement.
Take care of the oil changes, watch the fuel mileage, use some Chevron Techron to keep the injector spray patterns optimal for longevity.
Be on the lookout for a replacement especially if it is your primary transportation. If you see a real bargain, like a garage kept Toyota Camry before 2003 with the 2.2 liter engine or after 2008 when the newer engines had the bugs out then grab it and sell this car. Check the forums on anything you are considering as a replacement. There is a lot of real junk in the used car market right now. Let us know on this thread or a new one what direction you are taking. I'll be glad to do some research. We bought a new 2016 Sorento but traded it on a Nissan Rogue but the dealership where we bought the Rogue had a lifetime warranty on the power train so that should cover the potential CVT transmission replacement.
I hope you get fair treatment and the shop concurs with my advice and will keep an eye on anything else so you can stay ahead of another expensive repair.
The advice you just got from me is exactly what I would have told on of my good customers, but it's been 25 years since I got out of the business.
Should you sell it or keep it?
AS long as it does not become more of a money pit after the converter replacement, the rest of those vehicles seems to be reliable. If that proves to not be the case then It's time for a replacement.
Take care of the oil changes, watch the fuel mileage, use some Chevron Techron to keep the injector spray patterns optimal for longevity.
Be on the lookout for a replacement especially if it is your primary transportation. If you see a real bargain, like a garage kept Toyota Camry before 2003 with the 2.2 liter engine or after 2008 when the newer engines had the bugs out then grab it and sell this car. Check the forums on anything you are considering as a replacement. There is a lot of real junk in the used car market right now. Let us know on this thread or a new one what direction you are taking. I'll be glad to do some research. We bought a new 2016 Sorento but traded it on a Nissan Rogue but the dealership where we bought the Rogue had a lifetime warranty on the power train so that should cover the potential CVT transmission replacement.
I hope you get fair treatment and the shop concurs with my advice and will keep an eye on anything else so you can stay ahead of another expensive repair.
The advice you just got from me is exactly what I would have told on of my good customers, but it's been 25 years since I got out of the business.
OP
Thanks! I still have no idea what the repairs will cost, as the mechanic is snowed under. I'm tempted to tell him if he can't get to it, please recommend someone who can. Our only other transportation is a '98 Chevy truck that we've been driving for 25 years.
A swamped shop is most likely your best choice. We were always swamped and my customers understood that. I worked many nights to keep up with all the things that could go wrong, sometimes 7 days a week.
One of the best cars ever made was the Toyota Echo. If you can find one if great shape buy it. It's small simple and has the modern technology that makes it almost bulletproof. If you live where it is necessary get one with factory AC. They can last 500k miles with great maintenance, but many people think they are two small and too cheap.
No timing belt (chain) no distributor (coil overs). No valve adjustment intervals. The automatic transmissions are bulletproof. Last year made 2005. In 2006 they went with the Scion XA and XB, both would be great cars. Toyota Corollas are great cars. They would supplement your 25 year old truck to perfection.
No timing belt (chain) no distributor (coil overs). No valve adjustment intervals. The automatic transmissions are bulletproof. Last year made 2005. In 2006 they went with the Scion XA and XB, both would be great cars. Toyota Corollas are great cars. They would supplement your 25 year old truck to perfection.
I have a 23 Kia soul and just love the thing but as soon as the warranty runs out it is gone in trade for another Soul.
A friend bought one last fall to use as a winter car as he didn't want to drive his Miata in the snow. It has about 110,000 miles on it and runs fine. It has working AC as well. Another friend is up north for the summer and is using it as his daily driver.
Toyota makes some terrific, long lasting vehicles. I see a lot of 2001-04 Camrys on the road down here in central Texas. The XLE with the V6 is supposed to be unkillable.
I've had a number of Soul rentals over the last 10 or so years. Comfortable, plenty of room for two people, great gas mileage. They are very good rental cars, but I'd never consider buying one. As you note, as soon as the warranty is gone, so should be the car.
Toyota makes some terrific, long lasting vehicles. I see a lot of 2001-04 Camrys on the road down here in central Texas. The XLE with the V6 is supposed to be unkillable.
I've had a number of Soul rentals over the last 10 or so years. Comfortable, plenty of room for two people, great gas mileage. They are very good rental cars, but I'd never consider buying one. As you note, as soon as the warranty is gone, so should be the car.
forindooruseonly
Member
Does it burn oil? Most late model 4 cylinders are notorious for burning oil and killing cats, due to the type of oil control rings and relatively thin oil specified by the manufacturer. This is a problem for all brands, with and without direct injection. I've seen many a Toyota and Honda suffer from the same thing. My Honda Accord was a cat killer, and I've never seen another with more than 80 or 90k not be an oil burner.
I eventually just knocked the guts out of the converter and tricked the computer with an 02 adapter and never worried about it again. However, my state doesn't have emissions tests.
If you watch South Main Auto on youtube, you'll see that it is a common problem, and in NY it means sending the car to the crusher as the costs of the cats and limited lifespan due to rust means its financially a bad idea to just fix the problem and then have it happen again down the road. To properly fix it, you would have to put new cats in, pull the motor apart and re-ring it, and that is not an repair bill any of us would want, especially in the rust belt.
I eventually just knocked the guts out of the converter and tricked the computer with an 02 adapter and never worried about it again. However, my state doesn't have emissions tests.
If you watch South Main Auto on youtube, you'll see that it is a common problem, and in NY it means sending the car to the crusher as the costs of the cats and limited lifespan due to rust means its financially a bad idea to just fix the problem and then have it happen again down the road. To properly fix it, you would have to put new cats in, pull the motor apart and re-ring it, and that is not an repair bill any of us would want, especially in the rust belt.
OP
No oil burning yet on this new engine (39,000 miles since replaced).
OP
I went by the shop today and stood there while the owner called his supplier and got prices on both cats. Parts and labor, $1,300 out the door. Not nearly as bad as I expected. However, I suspect he may need to change out both O2 sensors as well, so that likely will add another couple of hundred. And I told him to do an oil/filter change while he has it on the rack. A couple of days to get the parts, I may be driving it again Monday or Tuesday of next week.
