Subaru Catalytic Converter Replacement with Basic Hand Tools

Catalytic converter replacement on a 2011 Subaru Outback with the 2.5l boxer engine. This Subaru had trouble code P0420. We tested the converter is a separate video (I'll have a link for my Subaru Repair Playlist below) and after 174k miles this converter was toast. The front air fuel sensor and rear oxygen sensor was also replaced. It's a good idea to replace these sensors as the old ones can be quite contaminated. Cheers.
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Any attempt to repair automotive parts and/or systems carries risk of personal injury. Always adhere and follow safe practices when working on vehicles. Such as, safety glasses, jack stands, no loose clothing, etc. No guarantee or warranty is implied. Use the information in this video at your own risk. Carsntoys is a member of the Amazon Influencer Program.
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#subarup0420 #subarucatalyticconverter

[@Glenn_123]

Another great video as always! I have always JB welded my heat shields back together when they start to rattle. It works great. I was never aware that you could run without them.

[@CarsNToys]

Great tip!

[@JohnCooperWilliam]

Looks like a fairly straightforward repair. I'm wondering why the dealer wants to charge me $2,900 for it!

[@casmaster]

Got quoted $3400 for a 2014 2.5i

[@MK-zv4nl]

Probably because of the trim and model. If you look at your quote break down they part is already gonna run you a good Chunk of money. Plus how ever many hours they charge for labor and their labor rate per hour. You definitely can cut costs and go aftermarket. But I’d be careful about fitment and the quality of the parts. And you’d have to find a small shop to do it. Sometimes small shops can be shady. You get what you pay for 🤷🏻 If you were to do it yourself and don’t have the tools that’s gonna run you more money. Especially on older vehicles due to rust and etc. but I live up in the mid west where it’s cold.

[@casmaster]

@@MK-zv4nl That's hopeful you to assume the high cost was because of parts. But more likely in my case it was because the shop charges a ton for labor. I have the base model Subaru Outback and this was in a small, expensive Colorado ski town

[@capnbingbong7833]

My thoughts exactly...

[@DonChubz]

oem converter is 1600 alone

[@gregorysantana6375]

Can you comment on how this Walker cat has performed over the years? I'm researching aftermarket options and the reviews seem mixed.

[@EdwardDowllar]

Thanks for making a great video. Everything was well lit, easy to see and I appreciate the tips. My replacement cat should be coming in today.

[@sethnowlin2]

where did you get your replacement?

[@GelatoSnipes]

have a crack in this piece. need to replace it and have been worried about money. this makes me feel a lot better especially sense i have car guys for brothers

[@tbskirk]

This repair would be almost a grand in a shop using the OEM parts you bought. Great job saving money!

[@SkywallGuttz]

Just be sure to get spare studs and nuts. If the nut comes with the stud you have replacement. Easier than fighting to get the stud back in, and plus if you do get the nuts out.... the next time you do it... it will be twice as rusty. People think cars are expendable but they don't need to be. Plus he missed the part about the gaskets.

[@CarsNToys]

Which gaskets? I show new gaskets in the install.

[@SkywallGuttz]

​@@CarsNToys I think maybe I smoked too much.

[@ryansherman4176]

The OEM converter is over a grand by itself.

[@radcity22]

A Subaru dealer by me quoted be around $4k for this. Yeah, going to be doing this myself. This is a great video!

[@paddler-sn7ub]

Thank you sir, this is definitely in my future project list. Very descriptive. Look forward to seeing more videos.

[@Mrbauto123465789]

EDIT... Brand new "aftermarket converter".... Just removed two nearly (less than 5k miles) new aftermarket converters off of 2010-2012 outback's both had come apart and clogged, my guess is they weren't even quality enough to get rid of the p0420 cat code before clogging.. Yes they really do suck that bad, I am a Subaru specialist and have replaced a ton of aftermarket converters over the years.. OEM OR BUST....

[@Mrbauto123465789]

Also over 50% percent of these Outback's are PZEV models (partial zero emissions vehicles), which have identical looking converters but over twice the converter material inside. The aftermarket companies don't even offer one for PZEV's and claim it works on all models lol... Good luck with that!!

[@imalai5064]

Would this be the same for a 2009 Subaru Legacy turbo?

[@bo64hellfire]

Hey man, found your video as I was looking up which way the gasket from the cat to the mid pipe goes. One side has a cruch bulge, and the other has an extruded lip. Is the the same as the outback? Know which way it goes?

[@kaliman198117ify]

Do you have a link to where you bought the new part

[@earfman7527]

Excellent video!

[@Crestone-saju]

Great video. Do 2013 Impreza have same manifold? Thanks

[@scottdreher8122]

Terrific video! Thanks

[@Coleslawbreakfast]

I’m going to attempt to weld mine I think first. We will see how it goes.

[@Rylee_G]

will this work on an 08 impreza 2.5l? i cant find any impreza tutorials anywhere lol thanks

[@FirstLegoLeauge]

I have a 2007 Subaru Forrester. Do you know where I can buy the Catalytic converter for California compliant?

[@ryanneedham8820]

Did you have a heat shield on that before you took it off?

[@sambrinson89]

What range of vehicles follow this process? Asking as a 2008 Impreza owner..

[@coldluis]

It's the same for the 2008 Impreza

[@sambrinson89]

@@coldluis Thank you!

[@watchinstuffx82]

07?

[@axouldu78]

@@watchinstuffx82 same I guess

[@imalai5064]

@@coldluis same for a 2009 Subaru Legacy turbo?

[@DavidGarcia-eu5ew]

Nice video I like to know what is the number of the Part

[@arcpulseh]

I will be doing this job soon. I am a little worried about removing head bolts/nuts. If my car had the head gasket replaced 10k miles ago, my mechanic would have most likely removed these bolts/nuts right? So they shouldn’t be too difficult to break free?

[@danielshowell]

Yes. In order to get the heads off to replace the head gaskets, you have to undo the exhaust manifold/catalytic converter, intake manifold and a BUNCH of other stuff.

[@arcpulseh]

@@danielshowell yea man. Luckily they came out with ease. But the shitty o2 sensors from 1a auto both failed and had to be replaced within a few weeks of installation. Was a bit of a headache.

[@danielshowell]

That sucks about the o2 sensors. Those aren't cheap. I just bought an 08 outback. Turns out that the exhaust manifold/cat is cracked. However, last night I was looking up prices on new ones and found that Subaru has a recall on those. They will replace it. That's is good news, since Colorado, as of Jan 1, follows California CARB laws, which makes catalytic converters a LOT more expensive. We are not allowed to even buy, sell or install a used OEM cat. Insane. Sorry for my rant. I lucked out with the recall.

[@tiapressley8318]

Hi I have the same thing going on with my 2006 Subaru legacy I believe I need to get a new Cadillac converter but I don't know where really to buy parts do you have a list of places where you got yours that would be really helpful and grateful cuz whatever parts I've been looking at is over $1,000

[@uniquertunez5331]

Would this catalytic converter pass California?

[@koreymacdonald501]

Would this be pretty similar on a 2009 Subaru Outback limited?

[@jonathannunez9493]

Was it bank 1 or bank 2 ?

[@mattfox6926]

How do you know if you need to replace the front or rear cat?

[@goblinmonkeyman]

When they go bad

[@gabrieli334]

Why do they wanna charge me 1.5k in labor for this 😭 if I had the workspace/tools I would do this myself

[@christophermccray4866]

Well you could send me your clogged up catalytic converter I could use it I know how to clean them

[@ShepherdsChapelonYT]

Let's turn to God Theseasonorg explains the whole Bible God bless

[@rpmariano17]

Great video. Can you share what brand and where did you buy it?

[@adamsmith9636]

Great job. still nervous about changing mine.

[@connercloutier2480]

Never done a catalytic converter before, I just did mine though. It was very easy, don’t be nervous.

[@imalai5064]

@@connercloutier2480 do you happen to know if this would be the same-ish for a 2009 Subaru Legacy?

[@christopherdherman1518]

What brand CAT did you buy?

[@subbieenthusiasts132]

Hello. I modified my Subaru Impreza 2013 catalytic converter. The one you've just demonstrated up there because I couldn't get the exact one. They are highly priced here. Cleared the codes but the cata code still came back. The Impreza has two catas. One at the middle and the one you've demonstrated above. What's the solution to this. Is it a must I put the other one? I was of thinking that once I put the one in the manifold will make the light to go off. Mine was stolen, both.

[@kcaa3953]

You ended up pulling four of the six studs on the engine. You didn't mention or show that at all. Wasn't that kind of important?

[@stanfordblack.156]

Great video! It's also great to see a 10+ year old car with 100K miles in such great shape!

[@dappadon2754]

So where did u order the parts from???

[@gilbertmagwood3541]

great 👍

[@ezrab5828]

Just replace the cat and o2 sensor but im seeing light smoke come out of the converter itself is this normal?

[@edgarhigareda2022]

This is 2021 converters nice price right now..:. They pricey af

[@juanbeltran3098]

Nice video is this the same parts for a 2011 Legacy?tia

[@benjaminwiedel6366]

very helpful. Thanks

[@hiastram1145]

Will this work on a 2014 outback?

[@bigmotor3845]

I was wondering if the aftermarket converter you used would give problems. I thought the use of a Cali spec converter was smart.

[@CarsNToys]

No issues. This was a Walker unit. Cheers.

[@DrzwDX-qc7lj]

Is this still the case? Let your viewers know if the parts are good before they do the same repair

[@DonChubz]

is the converter also considered as the exhaust manifold or is that another part ?

[@connerk9947]

i believe they’re considered the same

[@Dragonfligh100]

Excellent video!

[@brianfarnell9833]

what brand of replacement part did you use for the cat? Nice video.

[@CarsNToys]

Thank you. Walker.

[@nickolasviancos5136]

so what brand catalytic converter did he use?

[@axouldu78]

@@nickolasviancos5136 walker

[@minhn02]

No heat shields ?