I bought a ‘02 Lexus ES300 with 200k miles and what I thought was an exhaust leak turned out to be two missing catalytic converters. It looks like the guy who sold the car took off both exhaust manifolds, cut the cat right at the neck, pulled out the good stuff, and welded it back together. I know because when I took the exhaust manifold off to repair the leaks, I noticed the sections holding the converters was completely hollow. That was the bank 2 exhaust/cat. Bank 1, I inspected from the bottom after taking off the front exhaust assembly.
Anyways, I already ordered bank 1 + 2 exhaust manifolds with California approved catalytic converters (I live in colorado, don’t let this happen to your state, rip my wallet), but now I’m having trouble getting bank 1 off!
I have no idea how to get to it, especially with the heat shields in the way. If anyone has any insight that would be very appreciated.
I already have the whole intake system off to replace the valve cover gaskets, so I’ve tried hitting it from the top as well.
pls help😿
Well you got to remove the heat shield and on something that old general a lot of pieces are going to break off just be careful spray penetrating oil on them and let him soak overnight things probably will break though that's just the nature of a car that old on a old hot exhaust system they corrode from heat and the water vapor in the air
Use PB Blaster.
