Removal and installation the catalytic converter, replacing its gasket (Opel Astra J)

1. Remove the exhaust pipe (see Replacing the inlet pipe).

2. Remove the heat shield of the catalytic converter (see Removal and installation of thermal screens).



3. Remove the two bolts securing the exhaust manifold to the support bracket.



4. Unscrew the nine nuts securing the exhaust manifold to the cylinder head…

Note: This is how the exhaust manifold mounting nuts are located.

5. …and remove the exhaust manifold.



6. Remove the exhaust manifold gasket from the cylinder head studs.

Attention! Replace the catalytic converter sealing gasket with a new one each time the connection is disassembled, since a heavily compressed gasket will not provide a reliable seal.

7. If you are replacing the catalytic converter and the new catalytic converter does not have an oxygen concentration sensor, unscrew it from the removed catalytic converter and install it on the new unit.

8. Install the exhaust manifold and its gasket in the reverse order of removal.