Code P0420 - How to Replace A Catalytic Converter (Ep 1) - 2010 Subaru Forester

This week Dana is working on correcting the issue of Code P0420, a Bad Catalytic Converter. We started this project off with a Dorman aftermarket catalytic converter but skipped one major step early on in the replacement process. Lessons learned in our haste. With that being said, Dana walks you through all steps needed in order to replace the bad hardware.
.
.
Timeline:
0:00 - Introduction
0:42 - Catalytic Converter Purpose and Code
1:45 - Replacement Parts Walkthrough
3:25 - Removal of AF and Oxygen Sensor
5:45 - Lifting Up The Forester
6:20 - Removing the old Catatlytic Converter
10:30 - Dropping the old Cat
12:45 - Placing old heat shields on new part
17:30 - Working to install new catalytic converter
19:22 - Beginning to realize there is a problem
.
.
//Music Tracks(Provided royalty free through Epidemic Sound):
Loving Calibur - Magical
.
.
//Contact:
For business inquiries only, please contact us at [e-mail]
.
.
//KZbin Video Equipment Used:
- Kimafun Dual Lavalier Wireless Mics: amzn.to/3upkp57
- Mactrem Professional Camera Tripod: amzn.to/2ZNHhNx
.
.
DISCLAIMER: This video and description contains affiliate links, which means that if you click on one of the product links, I’ll receive a small commission (at no cost to YOU). This helps support the channel and allows us to continue to make videos like this. Thank you for the support!
#SubaruForester #CatalyticConverterReplacement #P0420

[@pengland70]

Clear, useful instructions and tips. Thanks! You've helped us save well over $1,000.

[@SpiritedWrenchers]

Hi Peter. Thank you so much for watching and sharing with us. We greatly appreciate it. This is exactly why we created our channel, we're so happy we got a chance to help you on the project, do some DIY, and save some 💰. Cheers!

[@beerbellybob2989]

Hi and thank you for this video. I'd like to share some great news. My daughter has almost the exact same car (year & color) and we got the dreaded P0420 error last month. The car runs fine and we get no other codes. I spent some time researching and scanning with my code reader and everything else was fine. The CAT temp was getting up to 1600F so I thought it weird that it was inefficient, but I don't really know. I tried graphing the O2 sensors but could not make much of that either. Watching this video, I realized that only a genuine Subaru CAT was going to work. The local dealer offered me one at cost: $3200 US. Online, genuine parts prices are around $2K. So what I want to tell you is that I decided to replace both O2 sensors before outlaying for a CAT. Guess what? The CEL went off right away!! I used Denso OEM sensors: Front- 2349123, Rear- 2344445. This saved me a boatload of money. It's weird that the sensors did not register as bad. Also, if you have ANY exhaust leaks, you must address them first. BTW: Subaru has extended their warranty on CATs to 150,000 miles, so check with a dealer if your car is below that. Ours has 159K so no freebee! Thank you.

[@SpiritedWrenchers]

Hi Beer Belly Bob (love the name by the way). Thank you so much for watching and sharing your journey with us and all of our viewers. This type of information is exactly what owners look for. It's great that you all were able to resolve the issue without having to go through swapping the CAT. That's a huge savings. Thank you for also sharing the info on the warranty coverage limits. Very helpful. We hope you and your daughter have many safe miles of smiles ahead. Cheers!

[@beerbellybob2989]

@@SpiritedWrenchers ❤

[@forensic8385]

Another cheap thing to watch for are the ground straps (one on each side of the engine). I notice that they tend to corrode out on these foresters, which leads to weak ignition, and subsequently stresses the CAT.

[@j.w.groves2199]

I'm a old shop teacher and my boys and I believed kroil could fix anything from a locked up engine to arthritis lol and it never let me down .anything else is kerosene in a can .kroil is king!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@SpiritedWrenchers]

Hi JW, thanks for watching and agreeing with me! Have me laughing at the arthritis claim… we may have to test this theory in the future whenever we order another can. SOMEONE used up my whole can on another project…. Further testing is needed, but I’m hoping Liquid Wrench is a close enough second to save us some money. Not sure where else to buy Kroil other than online, and prices seem to have skyrocketed. Take care and stay safe!!

[@achievecc]

Thank you kindly for these clear step by step instructions.

[@SpiritedWrenchers]

Hi DDF, thanks for watching and sharing your appreciation with us! Sharing this knowledge is why we wanted to make this video. Take care and stay safe!

[@SICKNation1]

That's great you guys work on your own stuff I love this!

[@SpiritedWrenchers]

Thank you! Certainly a lot more to come.

[@Marc0Bece]

That was a great intro Dana 😂. I like that you used a laser to actually show what you're talking about, I haven't seen that yet. Only one other video I've watched had someone using d pointer, but it was like a small pointing hand on a stick. Great edit as always!

[@SpiritedWrenchers]

LOL. Her intro seems to be a winner with everyone. She's happy to hear it. It's real. The laser was her idea as well and I agree, it's a great one to use and help in the videos. Thanks for the feedback.

[@SICKNation1]

Great video as usual!

[@SpiritedWrenchers]

Thank you homie. Much appreciated

[@SICKNation1]

Obd2 reader is a great tool to have everyone should invest in one for sure

[@SpiritedWrenchers]

agreed!

[@FaxMe2Barbados]

well, what the parts guys would say to me was "a good mechanic can make it fit" gotta love those parts guys....

[@SpiritedWrenchers]

Hi FaxMe2Barbados, thanks for watching and understanding the struggle! I wish more parts guys were that honest about fitment, it would save us all a lot of trouble!

[@BrandonFritz]

Hahahaha Dana’s opening is awesome!

[@SpiritedWrenchers]

LOL. That's her being real. :-). Thanks for watching and commenting. Much appreciated.

[@leopoldomagpale1085]

❤nice explanation

[@SpiritedWrenchers]

Hi Leopoldo, thank you so much for watching and the kind words! This why we do we do

[@SICKNation1]

And Dana you're awesome being able to do all of this a lot of women hell a lot of men too need to take after you for sure! Much respect

[@SpiritedWrenchers]

Thank you. I will be sure she reads this. It is certainly one of many areas that attracted me to her. Some men are intimidated by it but I embrace it.

[@SecondMarsh]

Thanks for showing us the ins and outs. Are the O2 sensors basically two of the same type?

[@SpiritedWrenchers]

Thanks for watching! The front and rear O2 sensors are actually slightly different and have different part numbers. I did buy the same brand for both sensors, even though the test I paid for told me only one was faulty. To my knowledge, there isn't a specific rule for replacing both at the same time or keeping them the same brand.

[@williamt9025]

i like this content

[@SpiritedWrenchers]

Thank you very much for watching and for the kind words. We're glad you like it. We'll be adding more each week so please subscribe so you catch it all. Take care!

[@DannyCano1976]

Hello guys, great video. I need to replace mine too but I was reading many reviews from different part suppliers and it seems that their parts don't last long. How was yours? Did it give you any problems later on? Thank you

[@SpiritedWrenchers]

Hi Danny! I wouldn't say that we have enough miles on it to truly know the answer... Given that my original lasted so long, if you're looking for longevity and not doing the job again I highly recommend paying the money for OEM like we did.

[@SICKNation1]

How many o2 sensors are on your forester? I know I have 2 pre and post on one of my exhausts and it always seems that they go out at different times lol

[@SpiritedWrenchers]

She has 1 oxygen and 1 Air Fuel sensor. I fortunately have never owned a vehicle where I have had to mess with them but then I haven't had a vehicle for 11 years like Dana has with her Forester.

[@forensic8385]

Million dollar question is how long does that aftermarket CAT actually last. They're chepaer but if they only last 1.5 years, not really.

[@SpiritedWrenchers]

Thanks for watching and sharing Forensic. We appreciate it. I'd like to say that is definitely the million dollar question but so would be how long would the OEM one last. We really have no idea. It could be the same quality as the one from the assembly line or it could fall short. It would also depend on how many miles and what conditions you're driving in. Considering it would have been limited miles on the Forester, we felt comfortable taking a gamble on the aftermarket (if it had fit).

[@ryaj2356]

Angle grinder. You can clip off those heat shields and then tap new holes and bolt and nut them together to reuse.

[@SpiritedWrenchers]

Hi Rya. Thanks for watching and sharing. You're absolutely right. Didn't think of the old angle grinder when we were doing this. LOL. If we ever do this again, we'll certainly remember as I'm putting that tool to work quite a bit on the '72 C10 build we're doing. :-). Cheers!

[@rcericon710]

Great video. Would this part bbe compatible for a 2011 forester non turbo? I notice your oil filter is down, mine is up on top. Thank you

[@SpiritedWrenchers]

Hi Rc Ericon, thanks for watching and the great question! In the US market, Subaru changed the engine in the Foresters for model year 2011, so the engine components and parts are not always cross-compatible from earlier models. The catalytic converter in the 2011 is a different part number and design since it does not have to accommodate access to the oil filter, which was moved to a top mount in the FB25 DOHC engine. 2010 was the last year Subaru had the EJ253 SOHC engines in the naturally aspirated Forester in the US market. Hope this helps!

[@scottysfishinss]

Did u undo the exhaust pipe hanger to get flex when u undo pipe to converter.

[@SpiritedWrenchers]

Hi Scott. Thanks for watching and asking. We appreciate it. To be honest, we didn't do that but come to think of it, it's not a bad idea and might make things easier. Hope that helps. Cheers!

[@sherllavender1631]

After market parts... oops. Love the effort. Check on possible ways to hold gaskets hands-free. I feel your pain. See you next time.

[@SpiritedWrenchers]

Yeah. I love aftermarket parts but damn, this one got us good. Not to mention a foolish mistake early on. Will definitely check on the gasket idea. Thank you!

[@SICKNation1]

Oh no what was the problem? Damn gotta wait until the next video lol

[@SpiritedWrenchers]

Love that cliffhanger huh? LOL. Had to cut it with it being too long for one episode and that was the perfect place for it. Next episode coming out is Pt 2. Thank you!

[@SICKNation1]

Awe that sucks but at least you were able to save it with the old one too

[@SpiritedWrenchers]

agreed. That saved us

[@mgreco712]

9:40 I can’t for the life of me get a wrench on that bolt! What type did you use?

[@SpiritedWrenchers]

Honestly for the life of me I cannot remember the mm size, but I can confirm I had to use a deep well socket. Even after soaking it in kroil/penetrating lubricant, it took a bit of strength to muscle it off. The nut is the same size as the 2 lower ones that you can easily get to on that gasket/pipe connection.

[@thecurrys5558]

how did u get the other 2 pieces of heatshield off? the ones welded(stamped)

[@SpiritedWrenchers]

Hello Currys! We ended up drilling through the spot welds and using additional bolts and nuts with threadlocker. The OEM catalytic converter does come with them already welded on, so you only would try to get them off the old one if you were using an aftermarket cat and concerned about heat shielding.

[@thecurrys5558]

@@SpiritedWrenchers thanks for replying.

[@SpiritedWrenchers]

@@thecurrys5558 You're welcome

[@arccityangels]

Okay question of the year, did the dorman cat throw a code?

[@SpiritedWrenchers]

Thanks for asking and watching. I wish I could say yes but we never reached that point with it. It didn't event fit as it should. Holes didn't line up at all so we never could get it on. Thus the fail of it and having to just buy OEM.

[@arccityangels]

Oh man that makes me sad, the OEM’s are not cheap by any stretch of the imagination. I guess that’s why Subaru warranties them for 150,000 miles

[@SpiritedWrenchers]

@@arccityangels Not cheap at all and we certainly tried our best to avoid dropping that kind of coin but in the long run it will last a very long time. Thank you!!

[@lvazquez8093]

where is Ep 2 please

[@SpiritedWrenchers]

Hi lvazquez8093. Thank you very much for watching and asking. We appreciate it. Here is the link to EP 2. kzbin.info/www/bejne/rJncY4mso9iVe7ssi=fYeSnwYnOT8ApV_4

[@bumperxpert9564]

How much was that?

[@SpiritedWrenchers]

Thanks for watching!!! The Dorman was around $400-500 I believe, but we returned it and got the OEM. The Subaru catalytic converter was about $1600 out the door, including taxes and all the gaskets needed. A significant price difference for sure, and I'm really happy with the result.

[@alexander62]

Where to buy this converter?

[@SpiritedWrenchers]

Hi Alexander, thanks for watching! We got the Dorman converter from a local chain auto parts store, Advance I think. The final converter that we went with was OEM and we paid MSRP at the local Dealership for that one.

[@SICKNation1]

Yeah I use pb blaster lol

[@SpiritedWrenchers]

I do to but she loves her Kroil. LOL. I also just bought some stuff called Knock'er Loose that I'm trying out.

[@SICKNation1]

Lol I've seen under your car more in the last coupe weeks then I have under mine all year haha

[@SpiritedWrenchers]

🤣🤣. Thank you for watching and supporting.

[@volks-jager]

you destroyed a cat that was worth around $500-$600 in scrap by removing the shields (subaru stamps the cat code on the left shield, without the code the scrap value is way lower.a 2010 Forester usually has an FCA81 front cat which is worth lot in scrap) you dont need to transfer the sheilds. their only purpose is to prevent Subaru from getting sued if some idiot from parks on dry grass/leaves and starts a fire. ive installed dozens of aftermarket cats with no sheilds and they are fine.

[@SpiritedWrenchers]

Hi Volksjager, thank you for watching and noting this for any viewer taking on the task to keep the shields! In our part 2 video, we note that the aftermarket catalytic converter did not fit well and returned it to buy OEM. With that, the heat shields on the original cat were spared and saved. I had reached out a local scrapper who quoted the cat was only worth about $150-200, so if there's a better place to sell it (I think I still have it shoved in a box as the scrapper didn't return the call for pickup) please do share for us and any others! With the engine design and location of the oil pan, I would still be concerned about accelerated oil degradation without heat shielding but your explanation makes sense as well. Thank you again for sharing this! Take care and stay safe

[@YellowJacketGarage]

I'd knock a tooth out with that pogo handle in about a nanosecond.

[@SpiritedWrenchers]

LOL. Thanks for watching and contributing!

[@YellowJacketGarage]

@@SpiritedWrenchers we all gotta do our part to take care of each other. :-)

[@SpiritedWrenchers]

@@YellowJacketGarage Agreed 100%. Thank you!!!

[@SICKNation1]

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 Stop breaking damn it lol

[@SpiritedWrenchers]

LMAO

[@BuildNMotion]

Those annoying error codes ..

[@SpiritedWrenchers]

IKR, thanks for watching. Hope you're doing well.

[@adrianamorphous]

She did a 10 strip ;-:

[@martyhawg]

If you don’t know how to explain how something works then don’t make stuff up.

[@SpiritedWrenchers]

Hi Aaron. Thanks for watching and sharing your feedback. We appreciate you for that. Would you care to elaborate on that a little?

[@SICKNation1]

Lol tell art to put the camera down and help lol haha jp

[@SpiritedWrenchers]

ROFL. That's funny. Yes, it happens for sure. Especially when she struggles and yells for help. :-)