cataylytic converter

cegarbage · Post by **cegarbage** » Mon Nov 28, 2011 10:53 am

I just hit 201,000 miles on my car and an error light came up. Mechanic said it's the catalytic converter. I just got my smog check two months ago. So I don't have to worry about passing. I'll put on another 45k before I do in two years. What's the worst thing that can happen if I don't fix it? It's a 2003 Vibe GT 6 speedAlso, could there be any correlation between this and power steering being a little tighter than normal. Not sure if it's my imagination.Thanks!

Salsa Guy · Post by **Salsa Guy** » Mon Nov 28, 2011 11:10 am

What was the code P0420 then with the age and the miles then yes it is the cat or a bad O2 sensor (which is much cheaper). This would have nothing to do with the power steering.

cegarbage · Post by **cegarbage** » Mon Nov 28, 2011 11:48 am

I don't know what the code was, my mechanic just said it was the CAT and it would be about $600. I can probably get it read again. I'm hesitant to pay that much if I don't have to. I believe he said it's about $450 part with $120 labor.

KITT222 · Post by **KITT222** » Mon Nov 28, 2011 12:49 pm

Go to an auto parts store and see if they'll read the code for you. I'm not doubting the mechanic, but if its a P0420 code than it could be the o2 sensor, and you could try to install a new O2 sensor, reset the code, and see if it comes back. If it does come back, than you'll need a new cat.

beemerphile1 · Post by **beemerphile1** » Mon Nov 28, 2011 8:58 pm

I had a cat pug up once in a Pontiac J2000 and it resulted in a top speed of only 45 mph.

Bedlam · Post by **Bedlam** » Tue Nov 29, 2011 8:52 pm

could be the sensor or the cat honestly at your mileage. Honestly though, if your mileage isn't degraded and you you don't care about the light on your dash, you are not doing any harm to the vehicle. If it is a plugged cat and your mileage drops and you are down on power, then fix it.Sensors will throw codes if the system drops below 95% efficiency so aside from a ever so slight increase in emissions, don't worry about it.

cegarbage · Post by **cegarbage** » Wed Nov 30, 2011 10:21 am

The light went out today. I think I'm going to try an OTC cleaner from an auto parts store. I don't see any point unless my MPG is going downhill

joatmon · Post by **joatmon** » Thu Dec 01, 2011 2:51 am

Someone here was describing one possible bad consequence of a failed cat, it went something like:Same engine is used in corollas, Matrixes, Vibes, and in that larger community there have been instances where the cat has physically broken down internally. The engines can perform exhaust gas recirculation by allowing a slight overlap where the intake and exhaust valves are both open at the same time. If the cat internally disintegrates, the EGR function can suck cat guts into the cylinder, causing evil. While uncommon, this scenario has caused engine death in the broader community. I do not remember any report of a genviber having this happen.Still, my 03 keeps throwing a P0240, and at some point I won't waste any money trying the O2 sensors, I'll go straight to getting the cat replaced. For now I just clear the code with my scangauge so I'll notice if any different codes come up.

ORTOX · Post by **ORTOX** » Fri Dec 02, 2011 6:19 am

Man this must be a common code for our cars. I've been throwing a CEL for almost a year now. 160,000 miles on a 1ZZ. I work at a dealership and they just scanned it for me today: P0240 of course.I live in Ohio where they're super (removed) about e-check which I'll have to pass come May. I'm also debating on whether or not to change the cat or leave it. Gas mileage isn't an issue. I'll just have to finagle my way through the e-check somehow.

Serj22 · Post by **Serj22** » Fri Dec 02, 2011 7:44 am

I threw PO420 a bit ago, and I deducted it must be the cat. After looking under the car I noticed that there was a small crack in front of the cat on the flange where the header and it were not connected all the way. I assume this was from trying to remove the rear engine mount and tweaking on the cat during my clutch replacement, the engine also fell down about an inch which I thought would be no big deal.... guess again. All fixed though. So if you've pulled the transmission recently,. Id look at that.

06pvibe · Post by **06pvibe** » Sat Dec 03, 2011 1:26 am

Keep in mind also that a bad O2 sensor can cause the code as well as damage an otherwise serviceable cat. If the wrong readings are seen by the ECU it can cause the engine to run richer than it should which in turn causes the cat to work much harder to do its job. Then it overheats and literally burns up.Given other posts I have read about these cats though, and with that many miles it probably is the cat. Heck, I had to replace the one in my wife's old Saturn @135k miles cause it burned up, then broke apart internally. Since it is suggested that you replace the O2 sensors when doing a cat anyway, why not take the plunge and do them first? It might just make the code go away and/or save the cat itself. A little money spent now could save you hundreds until later.

akflyboy · Post by **akflyboy** » Fri Feb 03, 2012 9:23 am

Newbie here...first post actually. I have a 2003 lava vibe. I had the check engine light about 2 years ago come on. Replaced the catalytic converter (Midas did actually) and the problem was solved. 3 months ago the light came on again, 2 days after emission inspection. Took it back and they said the code was the converter again. Took it back to Midas for warranty work. They ordered up a replacement and the mgr called me a few hours later. He said he has been researching it and found a lot of 'chatter' on this. He explained that for some reason the vibe/matrix does NOT like the use of aftermarket converters. Unless I want to dish out a lot more $$ for OEM parts, I can expect to have the light come on again. He didn't know why exactly aftermarket parts were having a compatibility issue, but said that it seems to be a trend with the pontiac/toyota vibes. Personally I took the aftermarket warrantied converter and will deal with it later. It runs fine.

cegarbage · Post by **cegarbage** » Fri Feb 03, 2012 10:32 am

I'm the original poster. Mine came on and off a couple times within a week. It hasn't been on since, and that's 4k miles ago. The only thing that was done was a fuel injection, I don't think it had ever been done before. Not sure if that had anything to do with it.I live in CA., I believe catalytic converters here cost a lot more. I'm gong to go as long as possible w/o doing it!

akflyboy · Post by **akflyboy** » Fri Feb 03, 2012 11:38 am

Do you have an aftermarket brand or OEM? I was also told my O2 sensors could have something to do with it. Either way I think you will be fine.

cegarbage · Post by **cegarbage** » Fri Feb 03, 2012 1:57 pm

I have the original parts!

cegarbage · Post by **cegarbage** » Tue Feb 28, 2012 4:18 pm

My check light come on again. I did a search online, someone said they tried Amsoil PI Performance Improver Concentrate to clean the sensors and it would work after 20 miles.I bought it, put it in my tank. Drove 10 miles and once I restarted the car, the check light came off again. Anyone else try the product?

cataylytic converter

cataylytic converter

Re: (cegarbage)

Re: (ORTOX)

Re: (Serj22)

Re: cataylytic converter (cegarbage)

Re: cataylytic converter (akflyboy)

Re: cataylytic converter (cegarbage)

Re: cataylytic converter (akflyboy)

Re: cataylytic converter (cegarbage)