howards11 Posted November 18, 2008 Share Posted November 18, 2008 I have a 2000 Forester L. 66K miles. I had the CEL code pulled by Auto Zone. It's a P0420. My mechanic tells me I need a new cat converter. He highly suggests a new one from Subaru; not an aftermaket brand. $750 plus labor. I used this guy for quite a few years and I trust him. Does anyone have any hints/tips for this code. Thanks in advance for your help. ~Howard Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnceggleston Posted November 18, 2008 Share Posted November 18, 2008 rarely is this a cat problem, especially at 66k miles. usually it's a front o2 sensor problem, although a little early at 66k. the replacement HAS to be a subaru part. you can order it on line from one of the dealers who sell for a little less. and it's not too hard to do yourself. http://www.subarupartsforyou.com https://www.subarugenuineparts.com/oe_parts_cat.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bmm001 Posted November 18, 2008 Share Posted November 18, 2008 rarely is this a cat problem, especially at 66k miles. My independent Subaru mechanic feels the same way. He's seen it happen even from a bad tank of gas. First thing he always does is reset it and see if it comes back on quickly (ie same day or right away). He said he'd only worry about it around inspection time provided it only comes on intermittently. If it keeps coming on, he'll test the O2 sensor, check for exhaust leaks, and so forth. He also suggested that I let it warm up for a few minutes, especially in the winter/cold. We've all been told not to idle too long on a cold morning, but letting it run for 2-3 minutes before taking off in the morning has kept mine off for more than 6 months! Brian M. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2X2KOB Posted November 18, 2008 Share Posted November 18, 2008 Buy a code scanner so you can reset it yourself. You can go years this way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
howards11 Posted November 18, 2008 Author Share Posted November 18, 2008 Buy a code scanner so you can reset it yourself. You can go years this way. Got any suggestions on a scanner for under $100 ? ~Howard Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
unibrook Posted November 18, 2008 Share Posted November 18, 2008 See if your heat shield is hanging down. Could be that it is and doesn't let the cat heat up as well as it should to operate efficiently. Just a theory. But on mine, this did seem to be the prob, since I fixed it by reattaching the heat shield with a hose clamp...and the code hasn't come back on yet. (been 2 months.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2X2KOB Posted November 18, 2008 Share Posted November 18, 2008 Got any suggestions on a scanner for under $100 ? ~Howard One of these would do the trick - Don't need an expensive one. http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=94169 http://www.autozone.com/R,1769679/store,332/initialAction,accessoryProductDetail/shopping/accessoryProductDetail.htm I have the one from Autozone, I use it all the time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PAezb Posted November 18, 2008 Share Posted November 18, 2008 (edited) Got any suggestions on a scanner for under $100 ? ~Howard http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=94217 I've used the Cen-Tech 94217 for a couple of years now and it has worked well for me. Bought mine on sale and HF has sales on these periodically - I think I paid around $63-68 for it. The ones listed here appears to be newer models: http://search.harborfreight.com/cpisearch/web/search.do?keyword=scanner&Submit=Go See also: http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=94169 Edited November 18, 2008 by PAezb Correction Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
howards11 Posted November 19, 2008 Author Share Posted November 19, 2008 rarely is this a cat problem, especially at 66k miles. usually it's a front o2 sensor problem, although a little early at 66k. the replacement HAS to be a subaru part. you can order it on line from one of the dealers who sell for a little less. and it's not too hard to do yourself. www.subarupartsforyou.com https://www.subarugenuineparts.com/oe_parts_cat.html What I neglected to say was that 5 years ago I was rear ended in the Forester. The Pontiac Gran Prix went under my car; wiping out the exhaust system. At that time I was told there was no damage to the cat. The muffler, tailpipe and some trim piece had to be replaced. I believe that the impact may have shortened the life span of the cat. If the cat does in fact need replacement, my mechanic has said he has had no luck with the aftermarket cats and to stick with Subie. Comments please. ~Howard Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2X2KOB Posted November 19, 2008 Share Posted November 19, 2008 Best bet: Change your front O2 sensor. Then see what happens. If your cat was damaged five years ago, you would have seen evidence of it long ago. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Durania Posted November 19, 2008 Share Posted November 19, 2008 I have this one and have had really good luck with it. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/OBD-II-SCANNER-OBD2-2-SCAN-TOOL-CODE-READER-OBDII-ENHAN_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trkparmsZ72Q3a1163Q7c66Q3a2Q7c65Q3a12Q7c39Q3a1Q7c240Q3a1318QQ_trksidZp3286Q2ec0Q2em14QQhashZitem200276269593QQitemZ200276269593QQptZMotorsQ5fAutomotiveQ5fTools Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hondasucks Posted November 19, 2008 Share Posted November 19, 2008 I have a 2000 Forester L. 66K miles. I had the CEL code pulled by Auto Zone. It's a P0420. ~Howard Go to the dealer, have them diagnose it, there is a specific procedure that you need a Select Monitor III in order to do, to make sure the problem is not the Air/Fuel Ratio sensor or the oxygen sensor, would really suck to spend a grand having your cat replaced, only to find out it was a $100 AFR sensor. Have you ever had it in for maintenance? Misfires (usually a result of not changing spark plugs, or using junk plugs) are one thing that will kill the cat, among other things. I've seen cars with 120k and bad cats, and I've seen cars with 250k with the original cats that work just fine... Also it MIGHT still be covered, certain cars have a pretty long emission warranty, but I'm not sure of the specifics, but a Subaru dealer will be able to tell you. (The new PZEV models are warranted 15 years/150,000 miles!) Also, with 60k miles, you are also still covered under the head gasket warranty if your head gaskets are leaking Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2X2KOB Posted November 20, 2008 Share Posted November 20, 2008 Air/Fuel ratio sensor? What is this thing, and where does it live? Is that the real name for it? Is it in the intake air stream, or the exhaust? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J A Blazer Posted November 20, 2008 Share Posted November 20, 2008 At about 113K my '04 OBW threw the same code. Dealer reset it, said to watch it, and it went several thousand miles until it briefly came on again and spontaneously went out. Until it comes on, and stays on, I'm forgetting about it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
howards11 Posted November 21, 2008 Author Share Posted November 21, 2008 The end of the story is my mechanic is replacing the cat and both O2 sensors. The cat may have been damaged this summer when the ignition coil went south and the car was backfiring. All parts will be Subaru. ~Howard Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
howards11 Posted November 22, 2008 Author Share Posted November 22, 2008 WOW........... This was the most I've ever spent on one single car repair. A bit over $1,400. That's with tax and a new NAPA 65 month (550 CCA) battery too. But the car is running fine and it's better than spending for a new one. Thanks to everyone for their suggestions. ~Howard Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cougar Posted November 22, 2008 Share Posted November 22, 2008 Well it wasn't cheap but at least you got it fixed. Thanks for the update Howard. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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