No you don't. They can cut the pipe and weld the flex pipe into place...otherwise it will get VERY costly
You get a catalitic converter with flex pipe on ebay.com for arround $300 and labor will at least one hour (depends on region). You are facing a bill about ~$400.
The 1994 -1996 Toyota Camry has a flexible joint inline with the Rear Catalytic Converter. (Yes two converters!) The Flex joint develops a leak and then the vehicle sounds like a tank driving down the road. The Flex joint is welded onto the pipe so it is not replaceable. Fortunately the cost for the entire pipe with the converter is very reasonably priced! Replacing the entire Converter pipe will have the vehicle back on the road in very little time.
The converter is located under the car right after the flex pipe
The 2002 Mazda MPV has two flex pipes that comes from manifold. One of these flex pipes comes with the catalytic converter. I had it changed at Speedy and it cost around $800.00 cost, labour,taxes incl.
Disconnect the frontand rear o2 sensor electrical connectors. Separate the catalytic converter from the flex-pipe. Remove the fasteners between the catalytic converter and the exhaust manifold. Disconnect the EGR tube from the catalytic converter. Remove band from the front of the catalytic that holds it to the bracket on the front of the engine block. Remove fasteners holding exhaust manifold to head.
most likely the converter is plugged up and caused a leak in the flex pipe
The flex plate is bolted to the back of the crankshaft. It connects the motor to the torque converter in the transmission. To replace you remove the transmission and replace it.
Loose timing chain? Loose heat shield on catalytic converter?
The downstream O2 sensor is located at the catalytic converter or in the exhaust pipe directly behind the catalytic converter. The upstream O2 sensor is threaded into the topside of the exhaust manifold - just before the flex connector - and can be difficult to access. Good luck!
There should be 2 (upstream) O2 sensors (one for each bank of cylinders) before the catalytic converter and only one (downstream) O2 sensor after the catalytic converter. All 3 are threaded into the exhaust system.
Our Toyota dealer has estimated to be around $300.
Under your van, between the catalytic converter and the muffler. Approx under the front seats of the vehicle. It has 2 mesh 'flexy' things on it.