Hi I'm from Florida ,Just bought a 2000 blazer
 

Hi just bought my son a very clean 2000 blazer. The owner of this car says it needed a catalytic converter .I hear it rattling, I asked him if it could be just the shield .He said that whats inside has broken apart.Now I know that this guy knows very little about cars. Whats a good way of finding out if it really needs a catalytic converter? How much do they cost? He said that he would put in a bypass pipe,but he,s selling because he needs money badly.any thoughts on this problem? thanks Alan

welcome

a rattle in a cat converter would tell you if its bad. If you have emissions inspection i wouldnt bypass it .

if you replace it id go with a magna flow they shouldn't cost much

You don't have emissions testing so gutting it is an option, but remember, it's against federal law to remove emissions devices.

Welcome

Thanks everybody. I was online (advanced auto) They sell a universal catalytic converter for @$160 ,but the ad states that additional parts and welding will be required.I pick up the blazer in a few days,(maybe even tomorrow)Dysfunctional when you say gut the old catalytic converter, how is that done .If I need to remove it to gut it I'll just have it changed

No matter if you gut it, install a straight pipe, or a new converter, it has to be welded back in.

But for gutting the cat, you just need to undo the bolts in front, let it hang, get yourself a piece of rebar or something strong and beat the hell out of the inside. As it breaks up you can shake the media out. Once everything is cleaned up and bolted back together noone would be the wiser.