Buying Part from Chevrolet or Autozone / Orielly's
 

I have a 2007 and the check engine light came on. I took it to a Chevy dealer and had them run a diagnostics on it and they stated the Catalytic Converter is the issue. Basically I was just wondered is it wise to purchase it from dealer ($739.18) or an Auto Parts Store ($100-$200) price range. Would really appreciate the assistance when someone gets the time. By the way I drive the car every day all day due to my job.

No comment, unless you can quote the actual CEL CODE (not the verbal description) that was downloaded to confirm the problem is actually with the cat.

P0011 and P0420

Cool - ok, the P0011 has nothing to do with the cat - it refers to the Camshaft Actuator SOLENOID for the Intake side - see this thread (easy to fix it yourself) - https://www.chevyhhr.net/forums/how-...13-14-a-28779/

and the P0420 can also be caused by something other than the cat itself - see this thread for some good info: https://www.chevyhhr.net/forums/prob...t-p0420-52128/

- here is a lead-in on the situation - https://www.chevyhhr.net/forums/prob...r-48193/page2/

Oh, what kind of mileage have you got on it? and typically what fuel do you run?

Fixing the VVT valves might cure the P0420.
The cat might still be covered under the federal emissions warranty.

Burning oil and/or coolant can kill a cat. Cats don't normally fail on their own, fix the cause first.

Whopper:

It has 177k and I'm running 87. Whopper I just looked went over my owner's manual and it stated the 8th letter in the VIN dictates what needs to be used. I have a "P" so is that correct, "P" for Premium.

Donbrew:

Thank you so much for the insight. I will do just that.

Premium is suggested (I think that is the term), however the manual also states regular is ok as well.

I've only used Premium for maybe 3 tank loads in the 250,000 KM we have driven so far.

Those 2 links that whopper provided are "works in progress" I'm still working on my p0420.

The latest thing to make an improvement was replacing both VVT valves, that made the after market cat that has 5 pin hole leaks in it pass the monitor once and it is still almost passing; in the meantime, I pressurized my old cat and found a pin hole in the flex pipe. The pipe is currently waiting for my friend to get around to welding a new flex pipe.

Donbrew & Whopper the both of you have helped me tremendously. thank you so much