another [censored] problem

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Originally Posted By: chevyboy14
Well the shop didn't recommend replacing them and I didn't even think about it. Please give me the info on the anti fouler plug thing . Pros cons and how to do it. And yes vikas you did say that. But I wanted to clear it and see if it was a flook or not
smile.gif
but you were right.


http://honda-tech.com/showthread.php?t=1841240

Or google "spark plug anti fouler 02 sim" Tons of info on it.
 
Go on ebay and look for O2 sensor extension. Buy the stainless steel version ($15 shipped). But make sure you have the clearance for it. If it is tight, look for 90 degree angled version but that will cost you double.

Buy or borrow (rent) a good O2 sensor removal socket. Spray the thread with Kroil or your favorite penetrating oil the night before. Next day, loosen the sensor first while the exhaust is still hot. It generally needs some persuasion but since yours was put on only couple months ago, it should come out easy. Make sure you count the revolution of the sensor as it comes out. Your objective is to make sure the wires are NOT twisted AFTER you put the sensor back on the extension. You counter twist the sensor by hand before threading in.

pros? No pesky P0420 / P0430 code
cons? Feds will put you in the slammer and you will be Bubba's girlfriend :-)
 
Why not just buy a $22 universal from Amazon and avoid the hassle? Does he need to get emissions checks? Is it legal to cover for a bad cat? Why not just get a replacement rear, find out what the cat truly is doing(wasted or not) and go from there.

You will know if it needs a new 02 at least if you pull the rear 02 and see it covered and caked like the guy's '97 SL2 in the thread I linked 1 page ago...that fixed his 0420 code issues. Get a rent a tool from your local auto parts store, use penetrating oil on the threads as a soak if it doesn't move, get it off, check/post pics if you want.

RockAuto offerings

Amazon:

Cheapest

Denso Universal

Denso OE Style

SMP OE Style
 
It uses a quart every 2000 miles. It has had pistol. Soaks but only a couple with this cat so I know that isn't the issue. I may break down and buy an o2 sensor from rock auto. Is there a way to check an o2 ? I hate replacing good part's
 
Originally Posted By: chevyboy14
It uses a quart every 2000 miles. It has had pistol. Soaks but only a couple with this cat so I know that isn't the issue. I may break down and buy an o2 sensor from rock auto. Is there a way to check an o2 ? I hate replacing good part's


^Could you just remove it and inspect or post pictures here?

Take 1 hour, buy the 02 sensor(rent) removing tool, put the car on ramps with safety precautions/etc to gain access. Disconnect the wiring harness to the sensor, then attempt removal. Pictures/post up and re-install sensor, buy new one online and wait.

PS: Read the thread I posted earlier.
 
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Originally Posted By: TFB1
Replacing the o2 sensors isn't going to fix it...

Probably needs a good douching out...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5icTmYItwiE


Maybe worth it on the original cat, no point on the aftermarket.

"Get the crud out of it" ...yeah, along with the honeycomb and still wind up with an inefficient converter.

I don't know the law regarding using a 'fake' post cat-02 sensor, AND someone with a '97 had similar experience as the OP here with the aftermarket cat and needed new post cat 02 sensor for keeping the p0420 code off. OP here may have an 02 that was already 'best' to be replaced during cat installation before.
 
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You guys are just not getting it. A bad rear O2 sensor is good for not getting the P0420! Lot of us gave you enough hints on how the CEL lights up. You *want* a rear sensor which is crummy.

What you DONT want is the primary O2 sensor to get contaminated. If it gets contaminated, then at least in theory, it is possible to get the cat efficiency code but I would suspect before that happens, you will get a code identifying bad primary O2 sensor.

If you are burning so much oil as to cause the rear O2 sensor to get contaminator, your primary would be soaking in oil.

That guy wrote 437 page book on determining cat efficiency and you still don't believe him!

- Vikas
 
Go to the parts store tell them you want Dorman HELP! 42009 spark plug non-fouler $5. 2 in the pack. Drill the bottom of one (1) out with a 1/2" drill. take off the bottom/rear/downstream o2 sensor. Put the 2 non-foulers on the end of the o2. Put the o2 back on with the non fouler. Drive around for a couple of days. Poof, p0420 gone for good...Your welcome.
 
Leaky seals that sounds like what I'm going to do. Do you have any pictures? If not I can look it up I just don't know anything about them
 
Originally Posted By: Vikas
You guys are just not getting it. A bad rear O2 sensor is good for not getting the P0420! Lot of us gave you enough hints on how the CEL lights up. You *want* a rear sensor which is crummy.

What you DONT want is the primary O2 sensor to get contaminated. If it gets contaminated, then at least in theory, it is possible to get the cat efficiency code but I would suspect before that happens, you will get a code identifying bad primary O2 sensor.

If you are burning so much oil as to cause the rear O2 sensor to get contaminator, your primary would be soaking in oil.

That guy wrote 437 page book on determining cat efficiency and you still don't believe him!

- Vikas


Well, maybe you're right. The thread I linked had a real-world experience of a '97 SL2 owner that replaced the FRONT 02 sensor first...the light came back after 1,200 miles. Pulled his rear 02, also was terrible looking. Replaced that one as well, finally no p0420.

Granted, his 'replacement' cat setup worked without a CEL for 2 1/2 years according to the poster. Still, the p0420 the 2nd time didn't condemn the replacement cat even after that much time. Chevy is only THREE months in and it's gone? IDK about that one...

Maybe chevy can ask that user(active on the other forums) which cat he had installed and get new 02 sensors for himself?

Anyway, my point is the same app with the same issue(p0420) and it was fixed via 02 sensor replacement(overall took both sensors, but a mech there said the rear 02 throws the p0420 code for that car).

There is also mention of some sort of issue that was fixed relative to the ignition, if that doesn't ring a bell check out those forums I linked chevy...I'll try to find that as well.
 
^Update, it was the ECTS(coolant temp sensor) with an apparent harness/connector issue as well. Not sure if that's just '97 models or not. Anyway, if you are getting to full temp and not having the lack of heat from vents this isn't affected r/l conditions.
 
Originally Posted By: chevyboy14
Ok I see the non fouler piece for the exhaust but am confussed. How does it work?


This moves the rear O2 sensor away from the direct flow. Now the sensor sees lot less oxygen content. This makes sensor switch slow. The computer want to see the rear O2 sensor switching slow which makes it think your converter working as expected. It has to switch but at lot slower rate than the primary sensor. If the sensor stops switching, computer would probably throw a code, although I suspect it would NOT be P0420. It does depend upon the guy who wrote the ECM code whether it will throw O2 code or cat code when the O2 sensor no longer switches. If I were the programmer, I would put the O2 code.
 
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