Code PO420

[solara90]

i searched with no helpful results

But its about catalyst efficancy, this really wont affect the performance of my car really? i could care less if its my cat converter. Anyone have any opinions on this?

[Midias]

Clear it out and see if it comes back if it does and you don't have to do a tail pipe emissions test just do the anti fouler mod. The anti fouler will get rid of the cel if you catalyst is bad.

[Sla]

I actually have this code too, I cleared it, and it came back....my question is how do I approach a shop about fixing it without them coming out and automatically saying it is the cat, and how long can I last without a repair





P0420 – Catalyst System Efficiency Below Threshold (V-6 engine)
· Three-way catalytic converter malfunction
· Open or short in heated oxygen sensor circuit
· Heated oxygen sensor malfunction

[Eye8Pussies]

^ well...long story short, it'll either be the cat or the o2 sensor, so take your pick

[Sla]

damn, better be the o2

[solara90]

ugh, i hope so too damn cats are expensive

[5sfe]

if the 02 sensor was bad you would have noticed, ways of noticing is the following (i think) bad smell, and car running rich, so its most likely your cats

[solara90]

what about high or inconsistent idle

[Eye8Pussies]

high inconsistent idle is usually from a malfunctioning iac valve


and if the o2 sensor is bad, you won't be able to tell except that it'll throw a code

if the cat is bad, then it'll smell like rotten eggs when you floor it

[Sla]

yeah, it has been a little rich lately, but no smell, if it is the cat, what price range am I looking at?

[Midias]

^ depends on how you do it. The cheapest way would be to cut the old one off and weld in a new universal cat. Parts would only be about 70 bucks. Otherwise probably a couple hundred for a new direct fit. Personally I would do the anti fouler mod and see if that turns out the light as long as you don't have to do emissions testing. Maybe put in some 93 octane and rev it up a little for some reason I have heard that works.

[Sla]

I don't have emisssions, but is an anti-fouler or welding a univeral one legal?, meaning can I go to Midas, or do I need to go to Tony from down the street, I can't do anything under the hood unless it is refilling liquids or changing a light lol

[GzNutz]

^ depends on how you do it. The cheapest way would be to cut the old one off and weld in a new universal cat. Parts would only be about 70 bucks. Otherwise probably a couple hundred for a new direct fit. Personally I would do the anti fouler mod and see if that turns out the light as long as you don't have to do emissions testing. Maybe put in some 93 octane and rev it up a little for some reason I have heard that works.

^x2

Midas gave me this link a while back. http://www.solaraguy.com/viewtopic.php?p=499737#499737

I didn't have a chance to use it because I just got an O2 sim. From what I've read on other sites, Midas' method is valid!

[Eye8Pussies]

anti-fouler mod could work, but that's presuming that the o2 sensor still works and that it's the cat

but worst thing about the cat is that if it's bad, chances are that it could be plugged as well, which means that it's hurting performance in a lot of ways

the anti-fouler mod is more for ppl who don't run a cat at all

[solara90]

maybe thats why my car is running weird.. it sounds weird at idle, could that be from a clogged cat. also sometimes my car sounds loud, and some times its quieter.. maybe its just me