|
|
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 50
CEG\'er
|
OP
CEG\'er
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 50 |
I have a slight problem with a cel, Got the code for it and it says P0420 (catalyst efficiency below threshold bank 1). does anyone know what to do to fix this? I keep doing the fix-a-ford thing (disconnecting the positive cable) to reset the thing but it always finds its way back. The light shuts off for about two to three months then comes back on. Thanks for your help.
2000 black CSVT 2125 of 2150
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 1,788
Hard-core CEG\'er
|
|
Hard-core CEG\'er
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 1,788 |
Originally posted by joker93:
I have a slight problem with a cel, Got the code for it and it says P0420 (catalyst efficiency below threshold bank 1). does anyone know what to do to fix this? I keep doing the fix-a-ford thing (disconnecting the positive cable) to reset the thing but it always finds its way back. The light shuts off for about two to three months then comes back on. Thanks for your help.
Contact your dealer to see if you qualify for a computer reflash under your emissions warranty. If you are out of 8/80 federal emissions (or in California - 7/70), the charge is modest.
For a LOT of detailed background info, click on SEARCH and enter "P0420" as your search keyword.
Steve
98 Contour SE Sport 2.5 Duratec ATX The wifey's car
89 Taurus SHO - 246K miles
94 SHO ATX - 190K
1997 F-150 5.4L ATX - The Workhorse 150K.
ANY THREAD WITH "OMG" or "WTF" ETC IN THE TITLE WILL BE IGNORED!
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 7,100
Addicted CEG\'er
|
|
Addicted CEG\'er
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 7,100 |
A ton of things can cause it.
poor plug wires, old spark plugs, high fuel pressure, exhaust, or vacuum leaks, etc.
I would start with changing the fuel filter (10K miles or so) and the plugs/wires. (GAP to 0.054, autolite APP764 double platinums)
Those are the simplest and most beneficial either way.
Ray
'99 CSVT - Silver #222/276
In a constant state of blow-off euphoria.
Originally posted by Kremitthefrog:
I like to wear dresses and use binoculars to watch grandmas across the street.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 5,345
Addicted CEG\'er
|
|
Addicted CEG\'er
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 5,345 |
Sometimes oil contamination can also cause the code. Change the oil and oil filter too (if you haven't changed it in the last month or so).
"Always do the cheap and easy ones first."
1996 V6 ATX 96K miles
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 23
New CEG\'er
|
|
New CEG\'er
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 23 |
Hi Joker,
I had this code too and I was OVER the 8/80,000. The problem stemmed from a bad misfire on two cylinders that caused 'neat gas' to go out the exhaust and 'partially contaminate' one of the cats to the point that the 'efficiency' dropped and so the CEL went on.
The fix was to, of course, stick in some new HEI-wires and plugs (if needed) AND...
...to 'clear the cats' !!!!
Read: you need to stick in a can of 'Catalytic Converter Cleaner' into your gas tank AND/OR a can of 'Berryman's B12' or 'seafoam'.
You'll need to do this for, probably, 3 or 4 fill-ups before the CEL completely stops.
This is a 'progressive' (albeit cheap) fix.
Worked for me ...now going on TWO years since I got the 420 code ...(I swear by Berryman's B12!) -- and was a lot 'cheaper' of a fix than going the $tealership route. (They quoted $2,500 to replace the bad cats -- God don't you just HATE dealing with $tealerships sometimes!!!)
Latah,
G.
Oh yeah, btw, splash out for a code scanner -- try ebay -- it'll 'save' you from having to pull fuses or disconnect the battery every time the CEL comes on.
Also, do NOT drive with the CEL on! ...the car goes into "limp home mode" and ENRICHENS the mixture -- further exacerbating the problem of 'semi-clogged-cats'!
1997 Ford Contour SE V6
K+N
Michelin MXV4's
95,000 miles
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 5,345
Addicted CEG\'er
|
|
Addicted CEG\'er
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 5,345 |
Originally posted by Gerry_M:
Read: you need to stick in a can of 'Catalytic Converter Cleaner' into your gas tank AND/OR a can of 'Berryman's B12' or 'seafoam'.
You'll need to do this for, probably, 3 or 4 fill-ups before the CEL completely stops.
This is a 'progressive' (albeit cheap) fix.
Worked for me ...now going on TWO years since I got the 420 code ...(I swear by Berryman's B12!) -- and was a lot 'cheaper' of a fix than going the $tealership route. ....Oh yeah, btw, splash out for a code scanner -- try ebay -- it'll 'save' you from having to pull fuses or disconnect the battery every time the CEL comes on.
Also, do NOT drive with the CEL on! ...the car goes into "limp home mode" and ENRICHENS the mixture -- further exacerbating the problem of 'semi-clogged-cats'!
The B12 won't work if the pre-cat is past the point of no return. I tried the B12 (5 tankfuls) 6 months ago. Was good until a few weeks ago when P0420 came every week(and 430 came every 3 months or so). Gave up and went to mileliminators last week (Thanks Chongo for your post on mileliminators).
"Always do the cheap and easy ones first."
1996 V6 ATX 96K miles
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 7,100
Addicted CEG\'er
|
|
Addicted CEG\'er
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 7,100 |
Tony,
while the MILs may keep the CEL from coming ON, your cat is still GONE.. (clogged, etc) and the performance aspect of the car is still hindered, you just aren't getting a visual representation of that fact.
MILS are wonderful, but are most helpful when you remove the pre-cats (headers, etc) Simply tricking the CEL to stay off, while having clogged cats is ONLY keeping the CEL off.
(Not trying to preach, etc.. This wasn't really directed at you, just using your particular situation as a post for posterity to other users in the future)
Ray
'99 CSVT - Silver #222/276
In a constant state of blow-off euphoria.
Originally posted by Kremitthefrog:
I like to wear dresses and use binoculars to watch grandmas across the street.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 5,345
Addicted CEG\'er
|
|
Addicted CEG\'er
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 5,345 |
Originally posted by Ray:
Tony,
while the MILs may keep the CEL from coming ON, your cat is still GONE.. (clogged, etc) and the performance aspect of the car is still hindered, you just aren't getting a visual representation of that fact.
....
Ray
Ray, thanks for clarifying for the benefit of others. Let me clarify my situation a little more. My situation is a little different. I am not getting a performance loss (i.e. clogged pre-cat) nor any other CELs.. Rather than spending $200 to reprogram the PCM, I chose to spend $30 for the MILeliminators. I did not gut my pre-cats nor main cat. The reprograming of the PCM will result in maybe another 2 to 3 years (only those who have done it will know eventually) of no CEL (for P0420 or P0430) as it is just widening the band of limits for the malfunction. When my Contour was 8 years old (one month before I started getting the P0420), I had to do the smog emissions test and it passed with flying colors. HC 7 ppm with a limit of 81 (15 mph), and HC 13 with a limit of 78 (25 mph). CO and NO were minute. Would it be higher when I have to do the emissions again in May 2006? Probably. And would it fail the sniff test? Probably not. But if it did fail, even the reprograming of the PCM would not be able to "save" it. I would still have to foot out the $$$ to change the precats. This way, I save $170. What about leaving it alone until the time comes for the smog inspection? Well, I doubt it will pass the visual (CEL bright yellow) if the P0420 code shows up during the dyno/sniff test. And I would have to check and turn off the CEL every week or so. What about just ignoring it? Well, it would be hard as I would not know if there are other codes which could be the reason for the CEL. Plus, it would be hard to advise fellow CEGers to "scan it and not to ignore a CEL as it is not normal to have a CEL". Do what I say, don't do what I do? Nah, I can't give that advice. 
"Always do the cheap and easy ones first."
1996 V6 ATX 96K miles
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 1,788
Hard-core CEG\'er
|
|
Hard-core CEG\'er
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 1,788 |
FWIW, it bears repeating that the P0420/P0430 codes have nothing to do with a clogged cat.
They do, however, mean the catalyst is tired or contaminated and is no longer performing their job of converting the pollutants into the more benign emissions that are desired.
The single, main cat is usually sufficient to get the engine to pass the smog sniffer test.
Steve
98 Contour SE Sport 2.5 Duratec ATX The wifey's car
89 Taurus SHO - 246K miles
94 SHO ATX - 190K
1997 F-150 5.4L ATX - The Workhorse 150K.
ANY THREAD WITH "OMG" or "WTF" ETC IN THE TITLE WILL BE IGNORED!
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 50
CEG\'er
|
|
OP
CEG\'er
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 50 |
Forgot to mention that I have a cutome made exhaust from the cat. back. At the end where the pipe is supposed to split, the guy who made it actually T'd it off instead of Ying it off. The exhaust pipe is now 2.5 inches and where its T'd off it's 3 inches. One, do you think it's creating too much back pressure and clogging the cats? And two, should I switch it back to a Y'd split? And do you think I should replace the cats?
2000 black CSVT 2125 of 2150
|
|
|
|
|
