New member with an issue...
 

Hello all, I hope you are having a good day. I have a 2003 Toyota Camry with a 2.4L 4 cylinder and 4 speed auto transmission. 2 days ago the check engine light came on, and when I scanned it, it gave me P0420. I went under the car to visually inspect the exhaust system, and found that the flex pipe in between the exhaust manifold and catalytic converter was broken in spots, like the outer wire mesh. Any chance an exhaust leak could cause that code to come up? If so, how hard is that flex section of pipe to replace? Thank you for your time.

Matt

Where are the emissions converters on the exhaust pipe? There is a sensor before and after each converter. If the exhaust system is leaking in-between the sensors it can cause the code.

Flex pipe replacement is common.

A muffler shop can cut out the old flex pipe and weld another in.

There are also clamp on flex pipes using exhaust pipe clamps.

The internet has lots of u-tube videos on flex pipe replacement.

Thank you so much! I will go watch those now... Have a good evening.