First of hey everyone. Long time lurker here, just really never had much to contribute before. Anywho onto business. I have a '98 ATX 2.5L Mystique and I'm now getting the wonderful 0420/0430 codes. My car is outside the federal emmisions warranty and I'm a college student with no money, so I've almost decided to go with gutting my precats. I had a couple of of questions about how I should go about this. Is it worth my time/money/effort to replace the precats with some straight exhaust pipe or just gut the things and be done with it? And how much is might this affect the loudness of my exhaust (everythings stock)?
-
Welcome to the Contour Enthusiasts Group, the best resource for the Ford Contour and Mercury Mystique.
You can register to join the community.
questions about fixing my precat issues
- Thread starter epopeht
- Start date
sounds like if the cats are not plugged you would be better off just using mil eliminators ... you can make your own for about $5 to $10 or buy the premade ones for $65 ... they will rid you of the precat codes and you will pass emisions ...jut them if you want to ...
Hmm good point. I'd been getting a little bit of that sulfer smell during normal driving so I kind of assumed it was the cats having issues. How would I tell if they are plugged? My engine is not running badly or anything though it does need a good cleaning. - Sorry just realized my question is answered in one of the first few posts in the duratec how to section. Thanks anyway!
Last edited:
That is your question and answer there. If your car is not running badly, the exhaust is probably not plugged or blocked.
In the event that you suspect it is plugged, then try this from the Duratec How to.
http://www.contour.org/ceg-vb/showthread.php?t=762
In addition, info for mileliminators installation is in the M&M how to.
http://www.contour.org/ceg-vb/showthread.php?t=760
mamisano
CEG'er
Yep, same thing happend here. Constant CEL for precats until I installed my home made CEL Eliminators.
I do remember seeing a post some time ago that Ford could flash the computer with an updated code that would increase the O2 sensor threshold and eliminate the CEL.
Ever since installing the CEL Eliminators the problem has not returned and it has passed emissions testing with flying colors. Fuel milage has gone back up as well.
I do remember seeing a post some time ago that Ford could flash the computer with an updated code that would increase the O2 sensor threshold and eliminate the CEL.
Ever since installing the CEL Eliminators the problem has not returned and it has passed emissions testing with flying colors. Fuel milage has gone back up as well.
I think they only have that for 2000 and 1999 models. And if not covered under warranty, you are looking at maybe $150 to do it. Previous CEGer's experience was that it was good for one year before it exceeds the band (limits) and then the CEL for P0420 or P0430 lights up again. Mileliminators are probably a better investment.
shadowrtype
Be Gentle I'm New Here
- Joined
- Mar 8, 2006
- Messages
- 4
I'm considering attempting the homemade method but not sure exactly where these sensors are. Are there diagrams available for bank 1 & 2 for the P0420 and P0430 sensors in question?
Welcome shadowrtype. 
. When you drive up ramps or jack up the car, you can't miss it. The Bank 1 lower O2 sensor is the one at the bottom of the firewall side precat. The Bank 2 lower O2 sensor is the one at the bottom of the radiator side precat. There used to be a picture here but the link has been taken down. I'm sure someone else will be able to post it later. The instructions for installation are in M&M How to.
http://www.contour.org/ceg-vb/showthread.php?t=760
. When you drive up ramps or jack up the car, you can't miss it. The Bank 1 lower O2 sensor is the one at the bottom of the firewall side precat. The Bank 2 lower O2 sensor is the one at the bottom of the radiator side precat. There used to be a picture here but the link has been taken down. I'm sure someone else will be able to post it later. The instructions for installation are in M&M How to.http://www.contour.org/ceg-vb/showthread.php?t=760
shadowrtype
Be Gentle I'm New Here
- Joined
- Mar 8, 2006
- Messages
- 4
Thanks Tony2005. Hopefully some diagram will resurface. I haven't been under the car yet, so this will be a first. Now it is time to shop for some ramps and radio shack parts.