Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums General Troubleshooting gals milage is killing me !

Isn't there a recall for the cat? I remember something about it corroding and it should be under recall.

really? it downst have any warrenty left taht i know of

i just called the stealership about the cat, they said "if its not teh cat you will pay the diagnostic fee" i was like "how much is it?" and they said "probably $120"

i replied "for that price i can buy a new, hi-flow one... click"

so...

is there any free or inexpensive way of checking the cat?

The sensors downstream of precats or upstream of main cat control nothing

The sensors upstream of precats control fuel and air

There are ways to check everything.

For the cat you need a pressure guage. I use an old vacuum/fuel pump guage. just stick it on the lower EGR pipe nipple where the DPFE attaches. REV it some and watch the guage. Normally it might peak at 3psi but mostly stay around 1psi and below.

You said this started when you changed the O2 sensor so that needs to be checked. First look at the wiring for damage on the front sensor under the exhaust manifold. Get an analog voltmeter, a cheap one will do. Use alligator clips and pins, or piercing clips to read the voltage at the plug or by piercing the wire insulation. Two wires should have yellow stripes, these are for the heating element an should have 12v across them. if not check fuse 13. The other two wires are ground (black or brown), and the sensor output (white or grey). With the car running you should have .45v on the meter and the needle should wiggle back and forth very rapidly. If there is no voltage or it is below .45 volts the car will run rich like yours.

Get out there and try it, it's realy not that hard. just don't short anything out or burn yourself. Later you can use the meter to test the coolant sensor and see how the MAF works.

If you won't do this, I suggest you put the car on diagnostic equipment and get a printout. This will tell you how well all of the sensors are doing and pinpoint the problem.

And check for gas in the oil!!!
The engine will die if too much gas gets in the oil!!!

how much will a cheap voltmeter cost? also, is there an easy way i can get under my car?

thx for the help guys

I've seen cheap voltmeters as low as $12-$18. Try Wal-Mart or Radio Shack. Put it up on blocks, my old ramps are usless now because all the new cars are too low. Oh well, maybe I'll get a pickup.

ok, its cold as hell out, wet too, i dont have a garage, and all i got is some old ass ramps. that thing to connect your laptop to your car, would that be useful? i heard it reads exactly how the engine is running. if thats the case and this would help me out, ill order one today (someone give me the link please)

thx, russell

anyone know if that thing to connect my laptop would help me diagnose the problem??

?????????