Subaru P0420 - Quick Diag & Estimate

[@mr.nobody4900]

$ 1, 000 in parts plus labor cost. I would remove the manifold take it to a welding shop to plug the leak clean the cat with seafoam, Let the seafoam soaked for 30 minutes...This has work for me and Hondas with P0420 code.

[@billyr9840]

Wow, but I believe it. My wife got a quote from several muffler shops on her 05 Outback. $ 1000 was the cheapest from the end of the header pipe back. Pipe cracked at the flange south of the header. When I got home from work got a two and a half inch extension from advanced auto and a set of clamps for ten bucks. Cut both flanges off put pipes together tightened down clamps and it has been there going on 4 years.

[@BigDog50001]

No issue using Bosal. When you are talking that kind of money, might as well cut the strap that is in the way and try welding it up. There is at least a decent chance that the cat is not ruined and the massive exhaust leak is throwing the cat and the rear sensor off.

[@mansonmydog]

I always love the Bonus footage, and the Bonus Bonus footage was a Bonus!

[@highlypolishedturd7947]

Whatever else, it is cool that it has a stick. Or, the "Millenial Anti Theft Device".

[@scotsmanofnewengland7713]

Thanks, I used some JB Weld on an exhaust leak three years ago and it passed emissions and is holding up good. Cheap fix and saved me a quite a few hundred dollars.

[@jusb1066]

send it off to a welder with experience, you just cut that strap off it, weld the pips, put a new brace on it

[@Peter_Riis_DK]

Exactly. He would probably do it for around fifty bucks.

[@ednewell1847]

That is very true but like he said it may only fix the leak and not cure the P0420

[@craigdavis5965]

@canuckguy worried Yeah it is cheaper and may be whisper quiet when you are done, but if the converter has deteriorated then you still have a engine light with no cruise control which is part of the original complaint

[@craigdavis5965]

@canuckguy worried Whoa easy dude, didn't discredit your experience at all just commented that if you did fix the leak there was still a chance that the converted was bad and the light would come on. To some customers when that scenario plays out "you didn't fix the issue" Also I am well aware the cruise is disabled as a result from the engine light due to it being a throttle by wire and in a unlikely event they do not want any run away engine issues with cruise on.

[@Peter_Riis_DK]

@@ednewell1847 Didn't Ivan suggest that the false air drawn through the leak could be the cause of the code?

[@sinegra30]

I though that was your friend's Subaru... the one you took the engine out to replace the clutch assembly in farm in the middle of nowhere during a recreational trip a few months ago, thank you for uploading this video!

[@xmcx7021]

Junkyard down south you could get the whole thing cheap.

[@don-cw1yz]

Sounds like a plan to me.

[@sashasol_mtl]

Most junkyards rip out the catalytic converter as soon as the car gets there.

[@scotsmanofnewengland7713]

Here in my state you can’t use a used catalytic converter and auto shops won’t replace it due to the legal troubles.

[@robertgary3561]

Here it is a massive fine to install a used cat

[@j8656]

Had '09 Legacy that split into two mufflers out the rear. The split was designed like your connection and that is where it developed a leak. And all heat shields that started to rattle got the screw clamps.

[@cent31119]

I have come across this twice in the past year. First time, the customer was complaining of a gas smell with no CEL and didn't notice that there was a small exhaust leak. Second time, customer complaining of louder then normal exhaust noise with no CEL. Both times the leak was at the collector with one only having a 120K miles on it. Being here in GA, I was able to reuse the original heat shields with no issues.

[@baxrok2.]

I ran a Bosal exhaust system on my Mazda 3. I found it to be of excellent quality. Thanks Ivan!

[@beechwood619]

Weld it, it was welded originally.

[@somerandomguy3868]

Ultra rare!! bonus bonus footage, who could ask for more, thanks Ivan

[@billyyoder8171]

Thank you Ivan. Good job. Have a blessed and safe week.

[@williegillie5712]

Sucks a small exhaust leak can end up costing so much to remedy. I’d be tempted to take that leaky exhaust manifold to a machine shop. Could be a lot cheaper then replacing the whole thing or possibly your other idea that was a fair price Ivan. At any rate I’m sure your customer wouldn’t mind hearing all the options and going with your best idea for fixing that leak.

[@wyrtwister4260]

Braze it ? If it is not stainless steel . Wyr God bless

[@NoWr2Run]

I was hoping for a VAN UPDATE ?

[@animalcorvair]

me too better made than this car having a 95 transport that my wife loves it is worth fixing

[@throttlebottle5906]

LOL!!

[@animalcorvair]

@@throttlebottle5906 Subaru have bad problems his van is a 3800 now you get it no one cant beat it

[@throttlebottle5906]

@@animalcorvair it drives and shift so great.... oh wait.... don't get me going on subapoop, been there done that

[@animalcorvair]

@@throttlebottle5906 worth fixing

[@jimcrane6862]

I just replaced the cat on out 2007 legacy, 160k miles, p0420 code. I put on a walker CARB compliant cat from rock auto plus new sensors and gaskets for about $700. It does not provide for heat shields, hopefully ok, but it does get very hot. The cat has a 25k mile warranty. I am hoping to get a couple more years out of it. I had a miserable experience with Bosal mufflers for this car, got only 2 years out of them Simi replaced them with walkers, lifetime warranty. Thanks for the video! I also looked at scan data and decided the cat was bad, hope I was correct. The exhaust has been very loud as long as we had the car. It's much quieter now, I believe there have been some leaks all along.

[@brandenrohrer5066]

Hey great video just got a p0420 on my 08 suabru impreza. I determined that yes my cat is bad but my question is can you tell me what caused it to go bad. Cause I dont want to change the cat for it to go bad in a year or two. Is this a common problem for my impreza?

[@highlypolishedturd7947]

I understand the concerns about aftermarket parts, but for my Corolla, the cat was going to be stupidly expensive. Rock Auto to the rescue, about a quarter of the cost. That was 5 or 6 years ago, the car still doesn't have a catalyst code, and still passes emissions tests.

[@throttlebottle5906]

or learn to piss on emission testing and all the government stooges.... I wont go on about how they're overpaid and need slaughtered back down to common humanity levels...

[@destig82]

i have a bosal replacement cat for more than 50.000 miles now and no problem so far

[@WatchWesWork]

What about used parts? Especially the heat shields.

[@wyattoneable]

I liked the "Bonus, bonus footage". Yeah, that's a tough one. But you gave him some options so that's all you can do.

[@mrb1864]

I'd give him a quote on oem and quote on bosal. I always add a percentage on non oem repairs as can be hassle fitting them and potential higher come back risk, bosal generally pretty decent for aftermarket . I would expect cat likely okay if leak repaired but if doing it as a customer job I probably prefer doing a bosal over messing with old cat, plus ideally need heat shields and that alone over half price of the complete bosal . I not seen many cat and header leaks at that low a mileage on subarus and I handle lot of subarus . . Is pretty easy part swap job ...

[@themechanic6117]

👍👍 prices of some parts are just crazy . Thats probably 1/2 of what the car is worth 😂

[@TheVirindi]

I think that's the whole idea... Price the parts as high as possible but JUST low enough that the customer buys the parts rather than scrapping the vehicle.

[@adamtrombino106]

I did 1 on my cousin's '10 OutBack 2.5. $1,600.00 in parts. She needed several shields too. You have to go OE. The aftermarket parts not only don't fit right, but the cat is actually SMALLER! I tried a Walker.. It didn't even fit manifold to manifold.

[@rchick9682]

Why install OEM in this application? The original failed prematurely, most likely the replacement will also. If it were my vehicle I would find a good used crossover pipe and Bob's your uncle.

[@joelopez40oz23]

Maybe the Converter failed due to engine influence. OEM is the best way to go when it comes to Catalytic converters. I have seen aftermarket Catalytic converters cause the check engine light to come back on.

[@rchick9682]

JoeLopez40oz not on a vehicle that's worth $3000 and 12 years old. Tell your customer that the part is $1500 plus labor and trust me you won't be doing that job. If it were my vehicle/customer I would go to the local pick n pull and get a good used one and install it.

[@fredc8618]

dude your vids are thebest!

[@focus82grothm]

I wonder if its vibration that's causing a crack in the cross section/manifold ? Maybe it's should have more support too avoid too much vibration? And maybe that caused the cat too go? Just theories. Looking forward what the owner want to do. Nice video 😊

[@n9wox]

Extreme heat JB Weld!

[@NoWr2Run]

I've used high heat furnace cement but if the part moves around a lot it's a gamble but worth a try.

[@ThePracticalMechanic]

Don’t see the exhaust break like that everyday. Must be all the rust thinning out the pipe. We used to replace cats all the time in early 2000’s Subaru’s because they would fail from coolant and oil contamination. We use after market cats from time to time as well and sometimes it takes two from the same manufacturer to get one that fits properly. Walker and Magnaflow both have fitment issues but Bosal normally fits OK.

[@NoWr2Run]

NICE TO KNOW, THANKS.

[@arthurfricchione8119]

Thanks Ivan for the video. Wonder if you could do a video on how you price out a job. Just did a complete brake job for a neighbor and I only wanted to get paid for the parts but he wanted to pay me and I have zero experience in pricing out a job. I would assume all you guys had to start out somewhere and just interested in learning how you would price something out. Personally I just wanted to do the job as a favor but he insisted on paying. Just looking for direction. Do you use book time or just charge labor rates you think are fair? Hate seeing people get ripped off on automotive repairs. Thanks Ivan 👍👍👍

[@mikec3104]

I would recommend u to always charge the posted book time.. BUT set ur rate at a fair amount (for the customer AND for you.) then gradually increase ur rate as ur experience/expertise/tool collection/etc grows

[@arthurfricchione8119]

Mike Clark thank you for the advice. I'm a retired aircraft mechanic and when people ask me to fix their cars a really have no clue and wind up doing stuff for next to nothing. Some people actually force you to charge them even when you say you'll do it for free. Go figure. Thanks again 👍

[@PineHollowAutoDiagnostics]

Ballpark full brake job for one axle is roughly $300 parts and labor...

[@arthurfricchione8119]

Thanks Ivan for the feedback. Appreciate the reply 👍

[@malcolmh5736]

I love at 110, "ya might.......naah" haha. My daughter's 2010 impreza with P0420 code (we have a coder) so I'm worried it's the cat etc. But why does the traction control light come on in this light cluster too? Does that mean the traction control is turned off too?? This our family's first Subaru and, gotta say, not really impressed. It always sounds awful on a cold start in cold temps. I'm not sure I get they hype about 'em.

[@jgriff3218]

Auntie Subaru Foerster leaks at the Y pipe. The welds at are shotty.

[@ironman1518.]

Could that hole have been welded/brazed closed, Ivan? I don't know what material the headers are made of. I had aftermarket headers on a van and the headers developed a hole where the tubing joined the head flanges but was able to have it welded last forever.

[@brandonion5647]

Could faulty sensors cause this problem as well?

[@jamesbruno5896]

Common problem the pipes crack at the collector, I've been able to weld a few. Be careful Ivan I've never seen an aftermarket Subaru converter that meets CA emissions. The Bosal converters only meet federal emissions! Just put a Subaru cat in last week dealer item only my cost was $1100

[@daviddelle774]

Aside from the mechanic installing the part, who knows or cares if it meets CA Emission specs? PA doesn't ask for receipts for all you replaced parts at inspections! They don't even sniff your tail-pipe so, what's it matter?

[@jamesbruno5896]

@@daviddelle774 The check engine light would come on with a P0420 so it does matter...

[@daviddelle774]

@@jamesbruno5896 You're saying that if you put in a Fed cat instead of a Cali cat, the check engine light will come on? ............I Don't Think So!

[@jamesbruno5896]

Believe what you want but that is a fact!

[@jamespn]

The customer should have had you do a PPI before he bought it. Just like the rusty Subaru frame that Eric Os customer encountered.

[@robertevans6481]

But wait there is more times 2....2g plus...wow I would take a chance on that aftermarket part, if I was going to keep it more than 30k I would get the O.E part for it.

[@pl5882]

Weld that sht homey!! 😈

[@MrRShoaf]

In reviewing it looks to me that the downstream O2 sensor is responding. In light of the exaust leak that is before the Cat, doesn't this suggest the Cat could still be working? What about testing the input and output temp? If it is hotter coming out than coming in that would sujjest the Cat is working so a weld repair might be effevtive. Of course I could be wrong, but I am thinking that the cat itself might be OK. I thought that Cats died from over rich exaist so a pre Cat leak would reduce the amount of unburned fuel hitting the Cat or increase the amount of air. That should not cook the Cat.

[@throttlebottle5906]

it crying ahead of the cat is kind of null, the possibility of a semi-plugged/oxygen sucking pre-cat leak could make it spit many lie codes ;)

[@zx8401ztv]

Buggered is the word i would use lol :-D Yikes that's a lot of money for pipes and a cat, someone is laughing somewhere. No local scrap car yards for an old working one? I know it's been done weeks ago but i gotta ask :-D I did wait to see if you were going to say 'extra extra extra' then laugh :-D

[@jdtractorman7445]

The platinum material is what makes that ridiculously expensive. It's the same nonsense we deal with in NY state, everything sold here has California emissions I believe. That part rockauto has looks pretty decent, but will it fit correctly? Let's hope so!

[@willefixit]

wow ! money light true deffinetion! bonus x three . add o2 to list not much luck transferring .if heated with torch.

[@SmittySmithsonite]

WOW what a friggin RIP!! And automakers wonder why few buy their parts! I bought my '93 Volvo 940 for $550 LESS than that crossover assembly! 😳😳😳 Bonus BONUS footage! Sweeeeet! 👍👍😁

[@happy543210]

old adage: when you buy a used car, you're buying another man's headache!

[@MrRShoaf]

Another old addage is I got rid of the car because it was nickel and dimeing me to death. I like buying those cars because it usually means that a lot of the items that wear out have already been changed. Things like water pumps, alternators starters etc. Most cars today are good for 250k mi. The second half of the cars life is where the bargains are. Rust belt cars excepted.

[@Drunkis1337]

If the vehicle is PZEV complaint then a converter might be covered under warranty up until 150k. I would need the VIN to run a vehicle inquiry to confirm.

[@leslielucci3182]

How do you check this?

[@willemstreutgers1154]

Bosal originaly a Dutch company, i often use their parts. Good quality.

[@jhonphil2177]

how much will that cost now if serviced?? I just had a code

[@gianfrancoa]

Not a head gasket issue on a Subaru? UNSUSCRIBED!

[@Anonymous-it5jw]

OEM Parts and labor are less than down payment on a new Subaru. Aftermarket parts keep it going until customer gets in a better position financially. The 3d alternative is Pull-a-Part for OEM quality, Rock Auto pricing.

[@ednewell1847]

Some states will not allow sales or install of used converters, I believe PA being one of them

[@NoWr2Run]

Yes, PA. DO NOT SELL CATS. LEGALLY, THE WORD TO STRESS ON IS LEGALLY, YA HAVE TO KNOW SOMEBODY AT A JUNKYARD.

[@rrmech11]

Nice job. MotoYam 👍👍

[@bigdaddymak1439]

Bosal makes great aftermarket exhaust systems for Asian vehicles!

[@sergeyspirin4539]

Привет Иван! Интересно американец Аутбэк и ещё на механике! Эксклюзив прям!😉 У нас на sg- шниках лопались штаны. На аутах не было. Для калифорнии в каталиках больше платины,или наоборот в других ее нету 😀

[@proanswers]

Free & dealership never mix. No such thing as free in this world.

[@josemarialopez8538]

Launch diagone lV, from 1 to 10, how much do you recommend it and compared to the 1500 dls ones, how close does it come to those? Thnks Lopez

[@davidgoliath982]

pipe could be welded. use a mig with stainless wire and 100% argon. cut the brace, weld up pipes and weld on new strap.

[@anthonyp.harvey5985]

Did you inspect the head gasket when you were under the car on that passenger side??? That's abut the mileage they start to seap.

[@PineHollowAutoDiagnostics]

I did. Head gaskets were already done recently, but they were not 100% dry haha Plus this thing was apparently an oil burner.

[@82_KID]

It seems all Subarus make that tick noise. Mine does too

[@guyva_unito_sree3]

what breaks cat. converters again? can they last forever otherwise?

[@censoredeveryday3320]

I just bypassed the rear o2 sensor for $12 using a spark plug unflowler. I'm not paying $2800 for a new cat. They can sit on a flag pole.

[@laohantun7404]

Thanks Ivan....

[@zfiddy]

On the similar model outback have you ever come across what can cause the same sound as a dry sounding wheel bearing BUT it doesn't change tone with speed differences but does change loudness on different smoothness of bitumen???

[@janvanderwal2744]

Tires?

[@zfiddy]

@@janvanderwal2744 I've rotated them all over the place and doesn't change the side etc, I might try and borrow a different set and try,

[@defendermender4959]

Bosal are very good quality and original parts on a lot of euros I wouldn’t worry too much. You could plug it with some exhaust repair paste to check if the problem is solved first?

[@donnierobertson3088]

Nice job

[@MiguelFlores-jp1ss]

5:18,of course all the pieces are sold separately. Now the repair parts and your labor are more $$$$ than the cars worth. With Rock Auto customer has options. For me (cause my cars are old and I'm broke) JB weld that void and throw in a quart of laquor thinner in the gas tank, it really works,,vroom, vroom, oh wait that's Mazda, hahaha!!!

[@sethyankosky2961]

My 06 legacy has this code and it’s leaking oil, should I just go ahead and sell it even though it has 56k miles?

[@donaldmoser212]

Good news, your $20 O2 sensor is good. Bad news you need a new header, catalytic converter and heat shields which are going to cost you $2250

[@jeremystone6613]

Had a 2012 Toyota 86 with FA20 engine in today with same code. Toyota Australia want $3k for the crossover set up. Cheaper to go aftermarket sports exhaust system and get rid of the genuine system.

[@scowley86]

That Bossal won't work on a PZEV Subbie. Different setup (tune, dual filter intake, different injectors and of course the cat...)

[@tomwalma4762]

Is this the one you just did head gaskets?

[@PineHollowAutoDiagnostics]

Nope first time I've seen this one.

[@mikepratali5582]

JB Weld the snot out of it.... it will hold for years and you can push it into the 4 pipe union!!! JB WELD!!!

[@dr.decalin5565]

With Ivan muffled up to the eyeballs it must be cold there. I thought Global Warming had turned Canada into tropical paradise already...!

[@NoWr2Run]

Yes it was CHILLY in PA. the last few nights mid. to low 50's.

[@smms1276]

SWEET 👍

[@johnmastr7901]

magna flow makes great cats and there not junk.

[@jeremyanthony9300]

I had a 2004 Toyota Camry. Needed a new cat converter. Dealer charged me $700.00 to replace it. Parts and labor.

[@emiliosalcedoibarra2551]

Hello, hey, I have a dodge neón 2005 with p1790, I recently saw that you worked on that failure in a neon 2003, you could not solve it but the owner did it with a Chrysler specialist, and You said you would ask him what the fault was and I wanted to know If you could tell me, I've already changed the transmission and it's still the same. Can you help me please? I'm from Venezuela. Thanks 😅

[@sheldonsmith521]

Looks like nothing a little JB Weld cant fix.

[@michaeltrinidad1217]

Isn't there something that causes a catalytic converter failure?

[@gavilangaragellc]

Maybe use soapy water to show the exhaust leak?? 🤔

[@MrBuddysAdventures]

Just custom build him the collector. It's easy with a CNC mill and a tig welder :p

[@GraniteRoll]

Cmon, a bunch of Jb weld stuffed into the pipe join manifold header would be the first crazy thing I’d try. Twice or more a cheap shade tree fix with no duct tape or wire needed! Thanks for the proper fix!

[@HUBBABUBBADOOPYDOOP]

Why you knockin RockAuto, Bro? They've saved millions of Folks their hard earned money. Just because they list "cheap" products- doesn't mean you have to buy that. $500 or $2,000+ is a no brainer. Things flexing that much- I'd seriously check the motor mounts for play, too.

[@don-cw1yz]

I am with you on that one. Or get an OEM Japanese one used. There are companies that import used Japanese parts from Japan. Japanese cars usually have low mileage. I think you can reuse all the heat shields. Personally, I would try some muffler cement first then you know if the cat is good or bad. Then try welding if it is good.

[@pl5882]

I ❤️ rockauto

[@don-cw1yz]

@@pl5882 I am with you on Rock Auto. My favourite auto parts store. There is no reason to go to the stealership for parts.

[@CallMeChato]

Cheaper than a new car.

[@bombones12347]

Where the censor po420 for 2010 Subaru forester

[@45AMT]

I had an 2008 outback. California car. Spent most of it's life in CO. 227K thankfully it didn't have any of those issues! Jeesh!

[@tarzaan2603]

My 06 wrx died while driving, I got the 420 code then immediately got cam position sensor 1 and 2 codes, car will not start

[@stagemanfx]

Junkyard part would probably work

[@sirtokesalot47]

its a subaru the cat is fine but he car wants to see at least 95% efficiency from it or it will throw the code so therefor the cat is bad for subaru but would work on any other car.

[@aquatrax123]

Bonus bonus bonus footage...the Subaru needs head gaskets too.

[@RipCityBassWorks]

P0420 - catalyst stoned.

[@jomangeee]

obviously someone has been abusing this car as evidenced by the absent heat shield, it maybe a refurbished junker blaming it on Subaru that is a stretch! They do have their problems, but the Cat. is not one of them as far as I know

[@Drunkis1337]

I've only seen the cats break when missing the heatshields.

[@torreVs]

Search that piece in Oscaro parts USA

[@gabrieli334]

Before check your MAFS! If you got this code

[@fieldsofomagh]

The last time I bit the bullet, all my teeth fell out !! After market is lousy but desperate people do desperate things.

[@sweetwilliam49]

If all the heat shields are separate then you should be able to use the old ones. Sounds like he bought it in that condition

[@PineHollowAutoDiagnostics]

Ummm there were no old ones haha

[@sr-71blackbird92]

Exhaust systems designed by rocket scientists on Subarus

[@keithfork8663]

gettin a headache from that carbon monoxide yet?

[@PineHollowAutoDiagnostics]

YES lol

[@danman9017]

2 month ago i put a after market cat on one of are fleet truck and it was no good had to buy eom and the eom was only 100 dollars more.i put a complaint to aftermarket maker and he told me to move the sensor more further away from the cat.LOL