02 Camry 2AZ-FE Tripped a P0420

[Jonny Z]

Happy New Year Folks.

My Camry just tripped a P0420. First CEL in its life. Car has 113K on it. My understanding is that catalytic converters have a life span of about 150K. I do not know if it has anything to do with it, but in the Austin area, we have just started using E10 across the board.

The good thing is, I just had it inspected, so I have a year to figure things out before the next emission test.

Before pulling O2 sensors, or the cat itself, I want to try some fuel additives. Is it worthwhile to try CRC Guaranteed to Pass, or the like, to see if they can clean the cat and help with its efficiency?

 

[mikered30]

I would clear it first and see if it comes back.

 

[beast3300]

Unfortunately cats are only warrantied for 8/80 and your mileage exceeded that. Converters are designed to last the life of the vehicle. Do you have any exhaust leaks before the cat?

 

[Quest]

Originally Posted By: beast3300
Unfortunately cats are only warrantied for 8/80 and your mileage exceeded that. Converters are designed to last the life of the vehicle. Do you have any exhaust leaks before the cat?


Unfortunately, given the factors associated to the maintenance and operation of the automobile, cats DO fail and depends on how the owner maintains it (more unnecessary fuel/oil additives, poor gasoline and/or wrong type of motor oil used, extended OCI leading to engine oil burning issues, etc.).

Even if your engine doesn't burn oil, your cat will eventually becomes lazy after so many miles and gradually lose it's efficiency.


So, 8yr is about right.

 

[ARCOgraphite]

Italian "I stole this car and I'm leavin the State" Tuneup time. I assume you detect no high misfire count. Could be a bad tank O' fuel too. I would absolutely NOT use any tuneup in a can - I would get a kit to check the ethanol%. Just going to E10 in your area will soak up all the water in the U-ground storage tank and stratify the ethanol- you could easily get 40% ethanol! Does the car feel lazy?

 

[Jonny Z]

The thing does not use oil and is otherwise in peak condition. How do I check for exhaust leak besides a visual?

 

[PT1]

Originally Posted By: Jonny Z
How do I check for exhaust leak besides a visual?
Put a shop rag over tailpipe with the engine running.

 

[beast3300]

Originally Posted By: Quest
Originally Posted By: beast3300
Unfortunately cats are only warrantied for 8/80 and your mileage exceeded that. Converters are designed to last the life of the vehicle. Do you have any exhaust leaks before the cat?


Unfortunately, given the factors associated to the maintenance and operation of the automobile, cats DO fail and depends on how the owner maintains it (more unnecessary fuel/oil additives, poor gasoline and/or wrong type of motor oil used, extended OCI leading to engine oil burning issues, etc.).

Even if your engine doesn't burn oil, your cat will eventually becomes lazy after so many miles and gradually lose it's efficiency.


So, 8yr is about right.



Agreed with what you said however, key phrase is "designed to last". Cars are also designed to be maintained with a scheduled maintenance.

 

[Jonny Z]

Put in a fresh tank and dump some MMO in along with that. Light turned off in a day.

I suppose that the cat is getting lazy and something in the previous tank of fuel set it off. We'll see how long it would last.

As a side note, with some of the stations, I can really smell the alcohol in the fuel. My uneducated guess is the concentration may exceed 10% by the smell.

 

[CharBaby]

I use the same fuel from the same station in both, my wife's Lexus and my Altima and I can smell the exhaust in the Lexus always. I don't know why!

JohnnyZ,
I think your 02 sensors are getting lazy not your converter. I replaced all 3 sensors(2-Air/Fuel Ratio and 1-downstream 02) over the period of 18 months in the '01 Lexus/3.0L V6 and everything is now fine. Kept throwing codes. Lazy sensors. one after the other would go. According the the CR Repair Records(and other sources), our particular Lexus is known for A/F ratio & 02 sensors, as being the first parts listed as the most frequently replaced parts. The other items which have issues is the sludging engines and the dumping transmissions. Both which I have had good succuss with thus far.