to csubak30: can a cat converter be cleaned if it is dirty I don't know ???

Where is your area I seem to be having a problem communicating How do they actually test or tell if the cat converter is bad if there is no code. Is it guess work? Seems like so many shops now rely only on what the computer says...I'm small town Indiana...I have been told by a shop that they can clean the cat converter see what I mean??? 289.00 is unbelievable I want to go to those guys..

Did some reading where as if not totally packed can be removed & soaked in soapy warm water over night and flush out with good pressured hose does & helps clean out for further use // some even implied the use of laquer thinner!! a full can to around half a tank of gas & run her almost dry and maybe a touch more! WHO WOULD OF THOUGHT???!! These are guys who have been license mechanic's for over 45 yrs and some a bit younger and seems to of helped a lot so!!!! & SOME IT HAS NOT!! Never say it cannot be done as others have proved differently!!