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Thank you Pole120 and hetfield

9

97vulcan

CEG'er
Joined
May 22, 2007
Messages
456
Location
Wisconsin
Well I met up with Josh (Pole120) and Mike (hetfield) today, and they looked at my car because I have had a strange ticking noise from the valve covers. Mike hooked up his computer and looked at my car for any trouble codes, and found a clogged cat on the firewall side. The noise to my surprise wasn't a spun bearing or rod knock, but it was a loose spark plug on the firewall side. I don't remember which one it was, but I was relieved when Josh pulled out the plug and found no aluminum on the treads. He screwed it in, and checked the other ones too. The noise is gone! I can't thank them both enough for their time and effort. I plan on visiting Josh in the spring for a UIM LIM cleaning, and other work. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND "PRT" for any work on your Contour SVT.

Thanks again Josh and Mike! :cool:

-Adam
 
FavoriteMystaque said:
I wonder if the clogged cat made the plugs loosen from backpressure? ...
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The more important questions are what and when are you going to do something about that. Driving around with a clogged Bank 1 Precat can't be good for the car. You are looking at engine failure eventually.
 
Tony2005, I plan on visiting Josh in the spring to have headers installed, or something. U think I will be ok till spring? Is there anything I can do right now to help the car?

Adam
 
P0430 Catalyst efficiency low-bank 2. This is the code I am getting from time to time. Does this mean my pre cat is clogged?

-Adam
 
Not always. Some have been able to put some Berrymans in the gas tank and it has made the code disappear. I Big Jim has posted about it. The cats are poorly made. I'd look into headers unless you want to gut them.
 
todras said:
Not always. Some have been able to put some Berrymans in the gas tank and it has made the code disappear. I Big Jim has posted about it. The cats are poorly made. I'd look into headers unless you want to gut them.
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Yes, I also searched and noticed this worked as well. Sucking it up w/ the vacuum (IM cleaning basically) also helps cleaning it. Easiest thing is to try the O2 sensor first, however :cool:
 
I will probably go the headers route, unless gutting the cats is easier, and cheaper. Can I wait until spring to do this procedure? or what should I do?

Thanks,
Adam

PS: Does that SES code, mean that the cat converter is plugged up, or just not working right?
 
97vulcan said:
I will probably go the headers route, unless gutting the cats is easier, and cheaper. Can I wait until spring to do this procedure? or what should I do?

Thanks,
Adam

PS: Does that SES code, mean that the cat converter is plugged up, or just not working right?
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Well the presence of the code usually means that it isn't working right. However, this could be a falsity from an improperly working O2 sensor, OR your cats COULD be clogged. IIRC, Tony's el-cheapo cat test is to unplug the upstream O2 sensors and see if the car runs better, because it gives much of the exhaust a place to escape. If it runs better, then you're cats are clogged. I suggest trying the O2 sensor first. Just find any working one and toss it on...
 
zorrex,

which one is the upstream O2? the one on the firewall manifold? do I need a special tool to remove it? The car seems to run fine, with no hesitation. Would I be experiencing some symptoms if the cats were plugged? I do hear a vacuum near the EGR when the car is first started in the cold, but that soon goes away.

Thanks,
Adam

PS: which vacuum line should I use to suck in the berrymans? would seafoam work too?
 
97vulcan said:
which one is the upstream O2? the one on the firewall manifold? do I need a special tool to remove it? The car seems to run fine, with no hesitation. Would I be experiencing some symptoms if the cats were plugged? I do hear a vacuum near the EGR when the car is first started in the cold, but that soon goes away.

PS: which vacuum line should I use to suck in the berrymans? would seafoam work too?
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The Upstream O2 is the one closer to the engine (there are two on your rear bank) As for a special tool a flare wrench or spark plug socket would be to your advantage as to not strip it out trying to remove it.

Usually if the cats are clogged the engine won't have the power it should, especially trying to accelerate at high rpm.

IIRC the vacuum lines are the ones that plug into the Upper intake immediately after the throttle body. You can read more about the intake cleaning in the Duratec Maintenance section. Nothing beats a good intake rebuild with them removed. Seafoam or Berrymans should work.
 
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