Catalytic Converter/Exhaust Repair - Need insights...

[Tori Kunz]

Hi Everyone,

My name is Tori, and I am the proud owner of a 2004 Grand Marquis Mercury! I am new to the forum world, so not sure on the edicit here (sorry!), but really glad to find you guys, and to see such a great group of people working together & connecting!

Unfortunately, my 2004 Grand Marquis is in the shop with exhaust problems. I am told I need a new catalytic converter & the back exhaust is rusted out. The quote came in at $2,600, but this seems REALLY expensive! Being a girl w/out of state plates, I am worried about getting ripped off.

Can anyone help with the expected costs, does $2600 seem right? Do I need an OEM CC or can I use an after market part & save money? Also, they keep mentioning CC options, do you know what kind of CC is in a 2004 - front/back, left/right, dual exhaust? I have no clue where to start!

A thousand thanks for your help on this! Just want to get her back up & running again without breaking the bank (if possible!)

Best,

Tori

[Ghorneck]

Hi Tori. That is REALLY expensive. Do NOT do it. Advance Auto price on a direct fit cat for the Grand Marquis is $215. The exhaust system from them is only another $200. Find another shop. Cats don't just go bad anymore. To have to replace a cat on a 2004 sounds like a scam.

http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_49-State-(excluding-California)-Direct-Fit-Catalytic-Converter-Bosal_20201280-P_145_R|GRPEXHAAMS_1107632919____

[johnunit]

yeah they're trying to rip you off.

[Lincolnmania]

that's insane!

what is wrong with the converters?

are you anywhere near central pennsylvania? i need work right now and i work for an honest living, i know people cannot afford these insane quotes........been replacing exhaust over 25 yrs......worked at a meineke for 3.

scott

[johnunit]

if you can get to Lincolnsmania's shop, do it, assuming there is something wrong with the car. Tons of satisfied customers on here.

[sly]

I can understand the price if they're putting on twin turbos and tuning it... but if it's stock fix-it-up... heck no! I had my single exhaust converted to duals for $500. just replacing the cats should be WAY less.

[86VickyLX]

There's another thread. This user is in Nazi Emissions Central, California...

[1987cp]

Me, I'd be shocked if the exhaust on an '04 needed any work at all. Have you had a look under there yourself?

[SVT98t]

I did my whole dual exhaust set up from Advanced, from manifolds back, for $550. They are trying to rip you off. Plus, with the new design from Walker(the company that makes the cats), they deleted the front two cats. It's a good deal.
Good luck!

-ryan s.

[gadget73]

I half wonder if you even need new converters. Don't take this the wrong way, but do you have a guy friend who will go to the shop to have them explain the problem to him? I don't mean to insult you, but the fact is a lot of places will try and take advantage of a woman just because they assume women are all car stupid. For whatever reason this seems to happen less to guys. Also, I'd go somewhere else for a second opinion. The back part of the exhaust I could see being bad, but the converters usually last damn near forever. I replaced a set on my 91 Mark VII because there was a small crack at the pipe. It could have been fixed fairly easily and those had 225k miles on them. The converter on my 96 Chevy is still fine at 157k.

[85crownHPP]

A rip-off indeed..!!!

I just put an aftermarket cat/pipe on one side of a whale... it only cost the shop 100 something, should be less than 200 for a walk-in customer at a parts store for a direct-fit converter/pipe.