Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums General Troubleshooting Last straw (P0420)

Okay, I've been been a real fan of my 'tour, researched the car for a year before I bought it (3+ years ago), but now I've had it. And here's why:

Been through 2 sets of rotors up front - apparently because Midas (pronounced "my ass" - d is silent) didn't torque down the lugnuts to Ford's persnickity 60 some ft-lb. Now running Brembo rotors and Mintex pads and a DIY job, and everything is a-ok.

Then the window regulator goes kaput and chews itself up. Another stash of cash in the hole.

Then we're on to "doing the right thing" by getting recall 01S23 on the coil springs "fixed". Now I have a car with a great ker-clunk every time I go over a speed bump. Yeah right, fixed. Gee Ford, you might want to teach your spring engineers a little primer on reliability, fatigue and corrosion. And until then, take some responsibility and replace the damn springs.

Then on to one of my favorites - chasing a leak. Wait, two of them. The oil leak is not the pan, it's not the valve covers. It's either the front cover or the main seal. Either or - another dealer visit. And then, while they're at it, they ought to go ahead and source my power steering leak. No, it's not the pump - or lines that I can tell.

Then finally, the last straw - or should I say - the nail in my "Ford loving" coffin. CEL code P0420. I just moved to 7300 ft. elevation from Atlanta (which is probably close to sea level). So you might think it's the thinner air up here doing it. errrrr. Wrong. It threw the CEL back in Atlanta. And guess when? Right after 80k miles, so forget it being covered. Who wants to guess that's an issue that came up in a meeting during the design of the Contour. You better believe it did.

So 3 years after buying a car that I thought could and would be the shizznizzle, I now own a car that smokes oil fumes to high heaven from 2 leaks, clunks over speed bumps, and is on it's exhaust deathbed. And I was looking forward to SCCA'ing it after I paid it off.

With that said, I must say that contour.org has been an invaluable resource, and I thank all of you for contributing to it. The people and the technical knowledge here are great, and I'm so glad that Lance brought it back when he was going to shut it down. It just blows arse that I got the lemon of the lot. Or did I?

So if you've suffered through this post (more like a rant), let me reward you with an interesting question. Would the CEL throw a P0420 because of a higher elevation?

P.S. If you want to reply and say "you just don't know how to treat/work on a car", go right ahead. Years ago before the family responsibilities kicked in, I completely restored a 71' Mustang and sold it for over a 100 times what I paid for it. That's a little more thorough that Yo-Dude y-pipe you had your uncle put on for ya.

Munch, I know how you feel... but just take a deep breath!!

In through the noise....
Out throught the mouth....

One more time...

There you go...

Better...?

OK! Your P0420... If you know that it is the precats causeing the code, just gut the things! Problem solved.

Oil leak (I have the exact same issue as you)... Well, if you do not have the time/money to have "a shop" fix it or do it yourself, do what I did until you do. I began using Valvoline MaxLife oil and after 3 changes now, my leak as almost stopped completely! Yeah! Although my leak in this area was not exactly pouring oil, but damn close it was! I was looseing almost two quarts between changes (3000 miles). I am actually down to only a quart between changes now and the lower engine is actually starting to dry up. That tells me that have to get off my bum and make that oil seperator ASAP to actually see for sure how much is going where.

Just some food for thought. I love my car something serious and have been through a lot with it. Not a single time have I felt like the car has let me down. Even my dad thinks I am nuts for wanting another one (The wife is thinking of trading/selling the Passport for one!!!). But I can respect it also if it is just time to move on though... ... I cannot personally think of it, but... if you have to... you have to...

in through the "noise" ???? hehehehe

iam a newbie and feel u.i have a 97 se with 420 time on my cel and i have 84650k so it is time to gut the cats and put in the mil for me. also have the oil leak cant find just where from and p/s that make the front of the block wet dont know if it is pump or if is a line???? But i have to say that i love my tour i think your right about the boys at ford talking about the precats and the 8/80 warrentys there is a lot of us out they with gutted cat in 1 way or another.

Okay, I've cooled off a bit, but still bitter about the fact I'm driving around in a car with bad cats and bad seals. I'd gut the precats if I knew I was staying here in NM. But if for some reason things don't work out and I move back to GA - no can do says the (emissions) law.

Thanks for the advice on the oil wounds - might have to look into a little Valvoline extended life. Maybe I could just pour some on my precats and extend their life too? And about the ker-clunk - I've tried for awhile to convince myself that it's annoying enough to buy Koni's and Eibach's. My wallet disagrees, though.

I think what I may do is just bite the bullet on this one. Replace the downstream sensor on the rear bank and buy a bit of time - then just run her until the precats just fall apart. Maybe by then we'll be driving around in spaceships and precats will be a thing of the past.

Nice thought, anyway.

Welcome to the forums!

Code PO420......I think thats your car telling you its time to say screw it and go smoke a bowl....


.... joking of course.

Oh man, where can I get "the Durable Duratec"! Sheesh.