California smog fail and only 1 month to replace catalytic converters

[Speak2JB]

Hello, new here, and I hope someone can help. I bought my H3 Alpha after going to the car show in 2007 and it has been a great truck over the years. My son turns 16 soon and I always told him it would be his when he gets his license.

The problem is, divers side exhaust is throwing a small leak warning. California is giving me 1 more month to get the exhaust smog compliant or I won't be able to drive my truck in California. Magnaflow intends to start producing an exhaust system for my California H3 Alpha, but no date of when it will be available. So I am screwed. I love this truck, it has been so reliable over the years, and I don't want to get rid of it.

Anyone have ideas, or know an expert here in California who can help me figure out what to do? Thanks everyone, and glad I found this forum...running out of time.

 

[rascole]

Where is the leak coming from? What code is it showing? Alpha cats cost more than a used Alpha and don't bet on Magna flow making direct fit replacements. They've been saying that for as long as I have been looking for my LS swap.

 

[3Hummers]

I know they aren't supposed to buy and sell used cats but if you call around you might find a shop that has or can get one.

 

[alrock]

A good exhaust shop may be able to help you. Let us know where you are in California - recommendations in LA won't help you if you're in Redding. I am curious as to why you're saying new cats for an exhaust leak. Is it a cracked manifold, a bad connection, broken exhaust manifold stud, hole in the cat or pipe?

 

[Speak2JB]

Thank you for replying...here is the

Where is the leak coming from? What code is it showing? Alpha cats cost more than a used Alpha and don't bet on Magna flow making direct fit replacements. They've been saying that for as long as I have been looking for my LS swap.

Glad you mentioned Magnaflow saying that for years so won't count on them. I'll post what the GM readout shows.

 

[Speak2JB]

I know they aren't supposed to buy and sell used cats but if you call around you might find a shop that has or can get one.

Will try and see what I can do per your advice. Thank you...

 

[Speak2JB]

A good exhaust shop may be able to help you. Let us know where you are in California - recommendations in LA won't help you if you're in Redding. I am curious as to why you're saying new cats for an exhaust leak. Is it a cracked manifold, a bad connection, broken exhaust manifold stud, hole in the cat or pipe?

in Newport Beach...

I will also talk to Tustin GMC since they are the experts on Hummers around here. But when I called them they said they deal with the H1's - will see what they say about question.

 

[Speak2JB]

Here is the readout from the Service Manager at a local GMC dealership.

 

[Speak2JB]

This Hummer has been great for all of these years, strong engine, still looks great inside and out.

 

[08H3]

How hard do they look? I put a spark plug non-fouler on my O2 sensor on my old H3 and it took care of a P0420 for years.

 

[Speak2JB]

How hard do they look? I put a spark plug non-fouler on my O2 sensor on my old H3 and it took care of a P0420 for years.

Wow, thanks for sharing that. I will take it back and see what I can get them to do.

 

[rascole]

You have a vacuum leak on the vapor canister system. Could also be the cause of the P0420, failing O2 sensor would also cause this code. Check all the vacuum hose for cracks or breaks, when you find the problem I bet the P0420 goes away. Unless you have a "good" friend that does smog, the spark plug non-fouler is a instant failure, that and if you have a bad cat or vacuum leak, they don't work.

 

[Speak2JB]

A good exhaust shop may be able to help you. Let us know where you are in California - recommendations in LA won't help you if you're in Redding. I am curious as to why you're saying new cats for an exhaust leak. Is it a cracked manifold, a bad connection, broken exhaust manifold stud, hole in the cat or pipe?

I found a highly recommended exhaust shop to replace my left exhaust Cat. He said Magnaflow charges too much. Will get this done and reply back to the group.

 

[rascole]

I found a highly recommended exhaust shop to replace my left exhaust Cat. He said Magnaflow charges too much. Will get this done and reply back to the group.

I wouldn't spend money on the Cat until after the other problems are fixed.

 

[650Hawk]

I have an anti-fouler on my Alpha for about 5-6 years now, same code, same side (bank 1). Never had a problem smogging it since. Vapor cannister leak could be as simple as a bad gas cap.

 

[Maria80386]

Get it registered and titled in Montana or South Dakota and stop worrying about it. If your son is a student, CA can’t make him have a in-state license.