October 6, 200619 yr Author Need an update please... Dear All: Although the gas problem seems a little better--guess what? the check engine light came on a week after all that expensive work and now this morning the verdict is in: code#P0420 cat converter...o2 sensor and $$$$ to fix it. I am resigned to fixing it, but this little 01 forester has gobbled up about $3,000. in less than 5 months. On the bright side, with new brakes, a new timing belt, flushed transmission, flushed power steering, new radiator hoses, new spark plugs and wires, new throttle body, replaced exhaust heat shields, 4 new tires, and now a new 02 sensor and catalytic converter...it better be good for alot of miles...bottom line is my $7,400. used car is now at $10K...this has been a very expensive lesson in used cars. If the gas mileage improves with the new cat. converter, that would be swell, but anticlimatic at this point. Heavy Sigh...Librarygal
October 6, 200619 yr Need an update please... Dear All: Although the gas problem seems a little better--guess what? the check engine light came on a week after all that expensive work and now this morning the verdict is in: code#P0420 cat converter...o2 sensor and $$$$ to fix it. I am resigned to fixing it, but this little 01 forester has gobbled up about $3,000. in less than 5 months. On the bright side, with new brakes, a new timing belt, flushed transmission, flushed power steering, new radiator hoses, new spark plugs and wires, new throttle body, replaced exhaust heat shields, 4 new tires, and now a new 02 sensor and catalytic converter...it better be good for alot of miles...bottom line is my $7,400. used car is now at $10K...this has been a very expensive lesson in used cars. If the gas mileage improves with the new cat. converter, that would be swell, but anticlimatic at this point. Heavy Sigh...Librarygal replace the sensor first and see what happens. a bad sensor will give you a bad cat fault, and may not be true. nipper
October 6, 200619 yr replace the sensor first and see what happens. a bad sensor will give you a bad cat fault, and may not be true. Agreed; O2 sensor first. A bad front sensor could also be the cause of poor gas mileage, which is where this thread seems to have started. A new catalytic converter won't help gas mileage, although if the original is bad, will help the environment.
October 6, 200619 yr Author Agreed; O2 sensor first. A bad front sensor could also be the cause of poor gas mileage, which is where this thread seems to have started. A new catalytic converter won't help gas mileage, although if the original is bad, will help the environment. A call just now saying...they used a "scanner tool" to determine that the converter is worn internally...I have to trust that they are being truthful...I asked them to save the worn parts--I don't know why but my Dad always said to ask for them..just for ducks, what would I look for. You can tell I am a driver and not a mechanic...
October 6, 200619 yr should have gone just for the sensor if it is not too late. That's what they told me for the same code a couple years ago and a $60 sensor fixed it.
October 6, 200619 yr Author should have gone just for the sensor if it is not too late. That's what they told me for the same code a couple years ago and a $60 sensor fixed it. I forgot to say that my daughter told me she had been smelling rotten eggs for awhile before the light came on...is this the converter...it is too late to just do the sensor...the deed is done..
October 6, 200619 yr Rotten eggs means the converter got too much fuel and got too hot at some point. That may mean the oxegen sensor and plugs should have been changed a while ago. The good part is that you are bound to see a lot of improvement from this.
October 6, 200619 yr A bad cat can cause bad gas mileage, and is usually accompanied by poor engine performance. If the material in the cat breaks up, it can clog up the pipe and cause a restriction.
October 6, 200619 yr Author Rotten eggs means the converter got too much fuel and got too hot at some point. That may mean the oxegen sensor and plugs should have been changed a while ago. The good part is that you are bound to see a lot of improvement from this. I am sure happy that it is all going to mean improvement. I really do appreciate all the comments and advice...Pam:cool:
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