Engine light code: dirty CAT?
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Joined: Oct 2008
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Engine light code: dirty CAT?
2000 Plymouth Neon.
183k miles
Got an engine code yesterday. Took to Checker to be read. Said something about CAT ineffeciency. Sorry forgot to get actual number of the code.
Guy there says the cat either needs to be replaced or cleaned. What are your thoughts? Can you clean a Catalytic converter instead of replacing it? Is the "catalytic ineffeciency" code something that could be other than a dirty cat?
183k miles
Got an engine code yesterday. Took to Checker to be read. Said something about CAT ineffeciency. Sorry forgot to get actual number of the code.
Guy there says the cat either needs to be replaced or cleaned. What are your thoughts? Can you clean a Catalytic converter instead of replacing it? Is the "catalytic ineffeciency" code something that could be other than a dirty cat?
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Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 37
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You might be referring to code P0420 = Catalyst System Efficiency Below Threshold (Bank 1)
It's a generic code meaning that your cat is either melted, cracked or simply dirty. But don't panic. It can be your post-Cat Oxygen sensor acting up.
You can indeed clean a Catalytic converter. I got the same code and cleaned mine using a gallon of Lacquer thinner in my gas tank(I'm not saying you should do it, as it's a very controversial way to deal with a dirty CAT).
It's been over 2000 miles since and no CEL yet.
Here's a little more info on the subject: http://www.obd-codes.com/p0420
And a tip telling you(at your own risk) how to clean it:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5icTm...ic3OyW9x4o9D5x
GOOD LUCK!
It's a generic code meaning that your cat is either melted, cracked or simply dirty. But don't panic. It can be your post-Cat Oxygen sensor acting up.
You can indeed clean a Catalytic converter. I got the same code and cleaned mine using a gallon of Lacquer thinner in my gas tank(I'm not saying you should do it, as it's a very controversial way to deal with a dirty CAT).
It's been over 2000 miles since and no CEL yet.
Here's a little more info on the subject: http://www.obd-codes.com/p0420
And a tip telling you(at your own risk) how to clean it:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5icTm...ic3OyW9x4o9D5x
GOOD LUCK!
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Joined: Sep 2008
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From: Northern California
You don't want to check anything else before dumping lacquer thinner into your gas tank because some guy on YouTube did it? You need to think about what lacquer thinner is, what the fuel system components are made out of and know what it is going to do to those components. My advice: don't. Anyways...
The rear O2 sensor not working correctly is just as likely as the cat actually being bad, whether it be wiring or the sensor itself, especially as the car ages. Could be an exhaust leak, yes. Does the cat glow red after driving it for a bit (this is obviously something you'd check when it is dark[er] out). <-- If that, then yeah, the cat is damaged and the only repair is replacement.
The rear O2 sensor not working correctly is just as likely as the cat actually being bad, whether it be wiring or the sensor itself, especially as the car ages. Could be an exhaust leak, yes. Does the cat glow red after driving it for a bit (this is obviously something you'd check when it is dark[er] out). <-- If that, then yeah, the cat is damaged and the only repair is replacement.
