Find solution

How to Replace the Catalytic Converter In a 2001 Alero

Oldsmobile, in an attempt to tap into the younger market in the late 1990s, released the compact and somewhat sporty Alero, which the maker based on the same platform as the Pontiac Grand Am. The Alero ended up being the last Oldsmobile to ever roll off an assembly line, as Olds closed up shop in mid-2004. The 2001 Alero came standard with a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine that produces a respectable 150 horsepower. The catalytic converter on the Alero is part of the front pipe, so replacing the catalytic converter requires replacing the entire catalytic converter-and-front pipe assembly.

Instructions

Removal

1

Park the Alero on a flat surface and allow it to sit until the engine is cool to the touch. Allow the vehicle to sit for an additional hour to allow the exhaust and catalytic converter to cool completely.

2

Lift the front of the Alero with a floor jack and slide jack stands under the vehicles subframe. Lower the vehicle onto the jack stands.

3

Crawl under the center of the Alero and find the catalytic converter-and-front pipe assembly, the long pipe that the catalytic converter is a part of.

4

Find the oxygen sensor screwed into the pipe just behind the catalytic converter. Trace the sensors wiring up to the engine compartment until you find the harness that connects it to the Aleros wiring harness. From inside the engine compartment, unplug the sensors harness from the vehicles harness.

5

Position yourself back under the vehicle and remove the oxygen sensor from the pipe, using a ratchet and oxygen sensor socket. If the oxygen sensor is seized, spray its base with penetrating oil and allow the oil to sit for the amount of time specified by the oil manufacturer, then remove the sensor.

6

Slide two jack stands under the catalytic converter-and-front pipe assembly to support it. Remove the bolts securing the intermediate pipe -- the pipe behind the catalytic converter -- to the catalytic converter-and-front pipe assembly, using a ratchet and socket.

7

Unfasten the bolts securing the front of the catalytic converter-and-front pipe assembly to the exhaust manifold, using a ratchet and socket. Lower the catalytic converter-and-front pipe assembly onto the jack stands.

8

Pull the catalytic converter-and-front pipe assembly out front under the vehicle. Remove the old gaskets from the exhaust manifold flange and intermediate pipe flange, if needed. Clean the mating surface on each flange with a wire brush.

Installation

9

Crawl back under the Alero, bringing the new catalytic converter-and-front pipe assembly along with you. Set the assembly on the jack stands in its mounting position.

10

Line up the bolt holes in the catalytic converter-and-front pipe assemblys flange with those in the exhaust manifolds flange. Slide a new gasket between the two flanges, aligning the bolt holes in the gasket with those in the flanges, then hand-thread the retaining bolts.

11

Align the catalytic converter-and-front pipe assembly rear flanges bolt holes with those on the intermediate pipes flange. Slide a new gasket between the flanges and align the bolt holes on the gasket with those in the flanges. Hand-tighten the retaining bolts.

12

Tighten the front catalytic converter-and-front pipe assembly bolts to 33 foot-pounds and the rear catalytic converter-and-front pipe assembly bolts to 25 foot-pounds, using a torque wrench and socket.

13

Apply a coat of anti-seize compound to the oxygen sensors threads and thread the sensor into the new catalytic converter-and-front pipe assembly. Torque the oxygen sensor to 30 foot-pounds, using a torque wrench and oxygen sensor socket.

14

Route the oxygen sensors wiring back toward the Aleros wiring harness in the engine compartment, then crawl out from under the vehicle. From inside the engine compartment, plug the oxygen sensors wiring harness to the Aleros harness.

15

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

Posted by Unknown at 12:15 AM

Email ThisBlogThis!Share to TwitterShare to FacebookShare to Pinterest

Labels: 2001, a, alero, catalytic, converter, how, in, replace, the, to