es300_98_NY

Lexus ES300 1998 Dear forum members, I am a student and always looking for cheaper options for my car repairs. 2 months ago my engine light came on and my mechanic thought it was the EGR valve and the selenoid, so he insisted on replacing them, which we did. The engine check light came back on a week later, just before i thought i will pass the NYS inspection (still can't pass it). I took the car to another mechanic, who diagnosed it with faulty spark plugs and replaced them free of charge if the light comes back on, well it did reappear the next day after 20 mile drive. After he took them out - the new spark plugs were completely burned, so he immediately pointed the problem towards the catalytic converter. His price for the part and labor is $500, and only Lexus made (as per mechanic). Gave me a small lecture that without a new cat converter- it will damage the new EGR and selenoid along with the spark plugs. 1. Can i bypass the dealer parts and use much less expensive cat converter ? 2. Can the new cat converter be installed via smoldering (so i don't have to replace the whole exhaust )? Thank you for any input.

Seems like besides the loss of fuel economy, NOX emissions and inability to legally pass the annual inspection, the malfunctioning EGR valve otherwise is not so critical. Unless I have come to a wrong conclusion. thx for the link

My engine light was on for couple of weeks until I checked it, the codes are: -P0401 (EGR insufficient flow, faulty EGR, blocked EGR passages) -P0772 and P0773 (SHIFT SOLENOID "e" ELECTRICAL MALFUNCTION-ssv dsl) These are the 3 codes and their descriptions, my mechanic removed the engine light and advised to come back if the light pop back on. Well, it did come back with the same codes. I don't drive much (5-10 mi/day) and being a college student i try to fix only what is necessary. The car drives fine, no symptoms of any sort (besides leaking transmission and stearing gaskets). What is the EGR valve? what are the downsides of not replacing it? Do these codes represent any concern? thank you.

thank you for your response, needed this information as a begginer

I turn on my engine this morning to drive to work and my englne light pops-up. I turned off the engine, checked the fluids-- trans fluid at less that half. The employees at Mobil offered me to add some fluid right from the top, i wasn't sure and declined the service. The car is 120k, no transmission fluid have not been replaced yet, runs great. I would like to ask for your opinions and expertise on this small situation. Is there any harm to just simply adding the fluid until its up to the appropriate level? thank you