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How to Take a Catalytic Converter Off a 2000 Grand Am SE 3400

The Pontiac Grand Am SE came standard with a 150-horsepower, 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine, but did have an optional 170-horsepower, 3.4-liter V-6 engine, which some people know as the 3400 V-6. The 2000 Grand Am SE used a muffler-like component, the catalytic converter, to convert the toxic gasses in the exhaust to less harmful ones. Replacing the cat on the 2000 Grand Am SE 3400 is a straightforward task, thanks to the vehicles simple exhaust design.

Instructions

Removal

1

Allow the vehicle to sit until the engine is cool to the touch, then allow it to sit for an additional hour to allow the exhaust and catalytic converter to cool completely.

2

Lift the front of the Grand Am with a floor jack and slide jack stands under its subframe. Lower the vehicle onto the jack stands.

3

Crawl under the center of the vehicle and find the catalytic converter-and-front pipe assembly. Position a pair of jack stands under the catalytic converter-and-front pipe assembly to support it.

4

Remove the three bolts securing the catalytic converter-and-front pipe assembly to the intermediate pipe -- the pipe to the rear of the catalytic converter -- using a ratchet and socket.

5

Unfasten the two bolts securing the catalytic converter-and-front pipe assembly to the exhaust manifold crossover pipe, which is the pipe connecting the front and rear exhaust manifolds, using a ratchet and socket. Slowly lower the catalytic converter-and-front pipe assembly and remove it from the vehicle.

6

Pull the old gaskets from the crossover and intermediate pipes, if needed, and scour the mating surfaces of both pipes with a wire brush.

Installation

7

Crawl under the vehicle with the catalytic converter-and-front pipe assembly in hand and set the assembly on the jack stands to hold it in place.

8

Line up the bolt holes in the catalytic converter-and-front pipe assemblys front-most flange with those in the crossover pipes flange. Slide a new gasket between the flanges, aligning the gaskets bolt holes with those in the flanges, and hand-tighten the two retaining bolts.

9

Align the bolt holes on the catalytic converter-and-front pipe assemblys rearmost flange with those on the intermediate pipes flange. Slide a new gasket between the flanges, aligning the bolt holes in the gasket with those in the flanges, and hand-tighten the bolts.

10

Tighten all five of the catalytic converter-and-front pipe assemblys retaining bolts to 25 foot-pounds using a torque wrench and socket.

11

Raise the Grand Am off the jack stands and remove the stands. Lower the vehicle to the ground.

Posted by Unknown at 7:45 AM

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Labels: 2000, 3400, a, am, catalytic, converter, grand, how, off, se, take, to