i own a chevy cavalier 99,with 170 miles on it. my car recently has been cutting off when i stop at signal lights or stops signs. anytime the car is at a complete stop it will cut off.. i cut it back on, and i cuts off really quick. as soon as i turn it back on it cuts off. now we took to a mechanic and he cheked the sparkplugs and told us to change the sparkplugs and wires. my friend is taking some autotech classes so he knows some stuff. so he changed the sparkplugs and wires. after we did that, the check engine light came up and a %26quot;ets off%26quot; light came up too.. Now when the car shifts gears you feel like its pulling u. we took it back to the mechanic and he said it was the air sensor. he replaced it and now he's trying to take ets light out. but he couldnt do it. now hes saying that i can go over there and he'll take the new sensor out and put the old one, and he wont charge me a thing. i want to see if my friend can do it himself. how hard is it? and is that the problem? a sensor?Car help!! mechanic is being an ***.?
My daugthers car was doing that, we got the spark plugs replaced still was doing the same thing, works out it was the thing that brings the spark to the plug that needed replaced, sorry cant remember the name of it, it wasn't expensive thou, she had no bother after that. oh just for the record, to put it on that machine, it cost us 拢100 for it to tell us it needed spark plugs, the machine was wrong!!!Car help!! mechanic is being an ***.?
a sensor is quite possible...Car help!! mechanic is being an ***.?
First you should had got a computer test of the system. It will tell you if a sensor or sensors have gone bad. He was right to tell you it needed spark plugs. Will make a note here. Go the liberey go into the ref; section with your friend. Look up air sensor. Or mast flow air sensor. When I was working as mechanic in 1999. The air sensor was part of the computer. That why would that it to the shop were you can get a computer read out. Or you cold that it to the locate col: that has an automative course. But from what I am hearing. I would say it is a computer controled item. Such as troller semsor or EGR. Cause plugs gave power back. These two sensors will cause it to cut off and turn the light on. They can case other problem. Even to burn out the computer air sensor. The computer is several hundred dollors. And not low cost at used part yard or junk yard. Rebuild are about half the cost if can find one.Car help!! mechanic is being an ***.?
you say it shuts off as soon as you start it?. try cleaning the throttle body and check the gas filter, also it might be the torque converter sensor.
Saturday, November 20, 2010
P0420 Catalyst System Efficiency Below Threshold?
1998 Cadillac 125,000 miles ( NOTE: I changed the Platinum sparkplugs at 100,000 miles and the car runs very smooth, no rough idling, or misfires, no other error codes). Also there is no funny smell. Someone told me that if I smell fuel or a rotten egg smell, then the cat is bad for sure.
Only thing about this car.... when I drive my car (2002 Cadillac), the instant reading on the MPG will go from 25 MPG to 70 almost instantly when I let off the gas. BUT on my wife's car ( the one with the error code) when I let off the gas it take about 3 or 4 seconds for it to go from 25 MPG to 70. And same thing when I press on the gas... a 3 second delay. Maybe this is normal but I just thought I would mention it in case it is relevant.
About 50 days ago this error code came on. This was about 5 days after my wife backed the car into a snow bank. After reading up on it, I was so sure my wife damaged the muffler or tail pipe. I did not see anything, so figured it could be a fluke. I used the scan tool to clear the error code and it was fine for about 50 days. Now the code came up again.So what I am thinking is that for the most part it is barely running within the limits, but once in a blue moon it fall out of specs and causes the %26quot;check engine soon%26quot; P0420 code to come up. So I am tempted to change the o2 sensors in front and back of the catalytic converter.
BTW I did clear the code again and it's been fine for 3 days. BUT I preparing myself for it to pop up again and will need to take care of it.
1) Is this hard to do ? I am just concerned that the heat had rusted the threads together and when I try to remove the Sensor, the treads will strip. Is this a problem ? I know I need to warm up the engine first to get the exhaust warm, but not too hot.
2) what about the converter ? Is this hard to change ? I am pretty sure the bolts will break, but i am wondering about the %26quot;hose clamp%26quot; in the back. How do I make sure that is sealed when I put the new one on ? Is there a gasket on back part ? is it funneled so I just put the cat pipe into the opening of the exhaust pipe then just clamp it with the %26quot;hose%26quot; type clamp ?
I do work on cars, but it is mostly water pumps, brakes, alternators, CV axles, etc...
Is there a way to check and see if the sensors are working ? I have a voltmeter.
Also, what about the O2 sensors that are on the exhaust manifold.. do I change those too, or should I change the 2 that are on each side of the catalytic converter ?
One more question... Is this the same as changing a sparkplug ? just unplug the wire, and replace sensor, then plug wire back in ? No need to reprogram the PCU or have it %26quot;learn%26quot; the new readings ?P0420 Catalyst System Efficiency Below Threshold?
Alright there are a lot of questions here u hope i get them all. first. you need a new cat. sorry man no way around it. if it was the sensors then a sensor code would come up. unless so how all the o2 sensors went bad a the same time and if that was the case go buy a lottery ticket and u will be rich. your cat probably isn't too terrible if it takes a while for the light to come on, so feel free to try and get away with it as long as you can. the computer has to have three cases were the fault to happen in 3 differnt drive cycles for the light to come on.
O2 sensors are very easy to replace. u need a 22 mm wrench and that is about it. disconnect it and unscrew it. reverse to install. then ur done. no computers or anything. you can check o2 sensors with a volt meter but it wont tell ya much because the voltage is so low and you wont know what number it should be reading you need a scanner.
changing the cat shouldn't be to bad. i use the torch all the time with exhaust. get the metal around the bolt cherry red and remove the bolt. working it back and forth to loosen rust. if you don't have a torch or they just brake then drill out the bolt and use a nut and bolt to put it back together if it is nut and bolted to begin with then that's great brake it or just take it apart at for the other end the cat should slid over or in the exhaust tipe then you clamp it. put you hand over the tail pipe if it blows you hand off after a little then it is good. if it doesn't then plug it and see were it is leaking from.P0420 Catalyst System Efficiency Below Threshold?
This will not be of any use for your present problem but then it may! Aprox 18 years ago in the UK bosch brought out platinum plugs. a REP wanted me to use them in my garage when weserviced a car,I tried a set in my 1961 land rover,BRILL better startng slight better mpg .So i started using them for S/ing.
Afew weeks later a call from a V/good customer saying car would not start(p/plugs used on last service) Igrabed some plugs and went out to him.changed the plugs (NON plat werenow put in ) the car started first time. this happend several times over the next few months.(different cars).
A bosch plug that had been removed was was then looked at i cut the earth prong off and the platinum electrode could then beseen .it had worn back so that the gap was 2 or 3 times the amount it should be!! no codes were on cars then so !!!!???
Only thing about this car.... when I drive my car (2002 Cadillac), the instant reading on the MPG will go from 25 MPG to 70 almost instantly when I let off the gas. BUT on my wife's car ( the one with the error code) when I let off the gas it take about 3 or 4 seconds for it to go from 25 MPG to 70. And same thing when I press on the gas... a 3 second delay. Maybe this is normal but I just thought I would mention it in case it is relevant.
About 50 days ago this error code came on. This was about 5 days after my wife backed the car into a snow bank. After reading up on it, I was so sure my wife damaged the muffler or tail pipe. I did not see anything, so figured it could be a fluke. I used the scan tool to clear the error code and it was fine for about 50 days. Now the code came up again.So what I am thinking is that for the most part it is barely running within the limits, but once in a blue moon it fall out of specs and causes the %26quot;check engine soon%26quot; P0420 code to come up. So I am tempted to change the o2 sensors in front and back of the catalytic converter.
BTW I did clear the code again and it's been fine for 3 days. BUT I preparing myself for it to pop up again and will need to take care of it.
1) Is this hard to do ? I am just concerned that the heat had rusted the threads together and when I try to remove the Sensor, the treads will strip. Is this a problem ? I know I need to warm up the engine first to get the exhaust warm, but not too hot.
2) what about the converter ? Is this hard to change ? I am pretty sure the bolts will break, but i am wondering about the %26quot;hose clamp%26quot; in the back. How do I make sure that is sealed when I put the new one on ? Is there a gasket on back part ? is it funneled so I just put the cat pipe into the opening of the exhaust pipe then just clamp it with the %26quot;hose%26quot; type clamp ?
I do work on cars, but it is mostly water pumps, brakes, alternators, CV axles, etc...
Is there a way to check and see if the sensors are working ? I have a voltmeter.
Also, what about the O2 sensors that are on the exhaust manifold.. do I change those too, or should I change the 2 that are on each side of the catalytic converter ?
One more question... Is this the same as changing a sparkplug ? just unplug the wire, and replace sensor, then plug wire back in ? No need to reprogram the PCU or have it %26quot;learn%26quot; the new readings ?P0420 Catalyst System Efficiency Below Threshold?
Alright there are a lot of questions here u hope i get them all. first. you need a new cat. sorry man no way around it. if it was the sensors then a sensor code would come up. unless so how all the o2 sensors went bad a the same time and if that was the case go buy a lottery ticket and u will be rich. your cat probably isn't too terrible if it takes a while for the light to come on, so feel free to try and get away with it as long as you can. the computer has to have three cases were the fault to happen in 3 differnt drive cycles for the light to come on.
O2 sensors are very easy to replace. u need a 22 mm wrench and that is about it. disconnect it and unscrew it. reverse to install. then ur done. no computers or anything. you can check o2 sensors with a volt meter but it wont tell ya much because the voltage is so low and you wont know what number it should be reading you need a scanner.
changing the cat shouldn't be to bad. i use the torch all the time with exhaust. get the metal around the bolt cherry red and remove the bolt. working it back and forth to loosen rust. if you don't have a torch or they just brake then drill out the bolt and use a nut and bolt to put it back together if it is nut and bolted to begin with then that's great brake it or just take it apart at for the other end the cat should slid over or in the exhaust tipe then you clamp it. put you hand over the tail pipe if it blows you hand off after a little then it is good. if it doesn't then plug it and see were it is leaking from.P0420 Catalyst System Efficiency Below Threshold?
This will not be of any use for your present problem but then it may! Aprox 18 years ago in the UK bosch brought out platinum plugs. a REP wanted me to use them in my garage when weserviced a car,I tried a set in my 1961 land rover,BRILL better startng slight better mpg .So i started using them for S/ing.
Afew weeks later a call from a V/good customer saying car would not start(p/plugs used on last service) Igrabed some plugs and went out to him.changed the plugs (NON plat werenow put in ) the car started first time. this happend several times over the next few months.(different cars).
A bosch plug that had been removed was was then looked at i cut the earth prong off and the platinum electrode could then beseen .it had worn back so that the gap was 2 or 3 times the amount it should be!! no codes were on cars then so !!!!???
How to find out what motor my 1998 ford escort zx2 came with?
I bought this car in a auction and i think the motor it has is not the one for this car because i went to the autozone to buy some autoparts and they always are diffrent.I recently did a tune up and changed the sparkplugs and the cables and i was coming home from work and it overheated i opened the hood and smoked was coming out now it doesnt start.I was wondering if i changed the sparkplugs and the motor is from a diffrent car would that cause this problem and what should i do to try fixing it? please helpHow to find out what motor my 1998 ford escort zx2 came with?
Call your local ford dealers parts dept. Give them the vin number and the will tell you what engine the car had from the factory.How to find out what motor my 1998 ford escort zx2 came with?
There are vin numbers on the engine and chassis, if they match, then its the engine that came with the car.
There aren't a whole lot of choices when it comes to this vehicle, and putting the wrong sparkplugs/cables would not cause the engine to overheat unless there was a major meltdown in the computer (if the spark was too hot, the O2 sensor would tell the computer and the computer would retard the spark or dump more fuel into the cylinder)
More then likely you have a different problem.How to find out what motor my 1998 ford escort zx2 came with?
Doesn't the intake manifold area/air cleaner/top of the engine have a litre or cubic displacement number on it, liike 3.1, or something like that to tell you what size engine it is?
If you bought the wrong plugs for that engine, you may have a BIG problem. Take all the plugs back out again and check them.
If the plugs broke inside the engine at the electrodes, you probably hurt the engine REAL BAD and probably damaged your pistons. If that happened, you may as well forget that engine from running without a rebuild job.
When the engine %26quot;overheated and smoked,%26quot; what did the smoke smell like?
Oily?
Wires burning?
Coolant smell?
That will tell you the first place to be looking for that overheating problem.
If it was an oily smell, probably what I said before happened. You broke a piston with the broken pieces of the spark plugs and the compression is escaping into the crankshaft area.
Call your local ford dealers parts dept. Give them the vin number and the will tell you what engine the car had from the factory.How to find out what motor my 1998 ford escort zx2 came with?
There are vin numbers on the engine and chassis, if they match, then its the engine that came with the car.
There aren't a whole lot of choices when it comes to this vehicle, and putting the wrong sparkplugs/cables would not cause the engine to overheat unless there was a major meltdown in the computer (if the spark was too hot, the O2 sensor would tell the computer and the computer would retard the spark or dump more fuel into the cylinder)
More then likely you have a different problem.How to find out what motor my 1998 ford escort zx2 came with?
Doesn't the intake manifold area/air cleaner/top of the engine have a litre or cubic displacement number on it, liike 3.1, or something like that to tell you what size engine it is?
If you bought the wrong plugs for that engine, you may have a BIG problem. Take all the plugs back out again and check them.
If the plugs broke inside the engine at the electrodes, you probably hurt the engine REAL BAD and probably damaged your pistons. If that happened, you may as well forget that engine from running without a rebuild job.
When the engine %26quot;overheated and smoked,%26quot; what did the smoke smell like?
Oily?
Wires burning?
Coolant smell?
That will tell you the first place to be looking for that overheating problem.
If it was an oily smell, probably what I said before happened. You broke a piston with the broken pieces of the spark plugs and the compression is escaping into the crankshaft area.
Rubber Caps On Spark Plugs On Honda Civic 1.5L Engine?
I need to change the sparkplugs but I don't know how to remove the rubber caps on the top of the engine.Rubber Caps On Spark Plugs On Honda Civic 1.5L Engine?
Yes those are spark plug wire boots. They pull off the plug but they can be very tricky. Be careful with this procedure but warm up the engine then shut it off. Grab the boot and give it a slight twist to the left then right (again BE CAREFUL as the motor will be HOT!) and once the boot moves freely pull up on it and it will come off the plug allowing the spark plug to be removed with the proper socket/wrench.
Also make sure when you buy new plugs to pick up some dielectric spark plug boot grease. After the plug is installed you put it on the top where the boot connects. It keeps the boot from sticking later down the road when you gotta change the plugs again.
A trick too is to change the plug one at a time so you don't forget the order the wires go on the plugs.Rubber Caps On Spark Plugs On Honda Civic 1.5L Engine?
they are part of the spark plug boot. should easily pull right out. kind of stick on the engine like a tupper ware lid!. good luckRubber Caps On Spark Plugs On Honda Civic 1.5L Engine?
Pull on the spark plug boot and twist at the same time.Rubber Caps On Spark Plugs On Honda Civic 1.5L Engine?
You buy whats called %26quot;spark plug boot pullers%26quot; they look sort of like pliers, only for spark plug boots, if you do not use these you will rip the boot which seals out moisture and you will have to buy new wires.hair straightener buy web hosting
Yes those are spark plug wire boots. They pull off the plug but they can be very tricky. Be careful with this procedure but warm up the engine then shut it off. Grab the boot and give it a slight twist to the left then right (again BE CAREFUL as the motor will be HOT!) and once the boot moves freely pull up on it and it will come off the plug allowing the spark plug to be removed with the proper socket/wrench.
Also make sure when you buy new plugs to pick up some dielectric spark plug boot grease. After the plug is installed you put it on the top where the boot connects. It keeps the boot from sticking later down the road when you gotta change the plugs again.
A trick too is to change the plug one at a time so you don't forget the order the wires go on the plugs.Rubber Caps On Spark Plugs On Honda Civic 1.5L Engine?
they are part of the spark plug boot. should easily pull right out. kind of stick on the engine like a tupper ware lid!. good luckRubber Caps On Spark Plugs On Honda Civic 1.5L Engine?
Pull on the spark plug boot and twist at the same time.Rubber Caps On Spark Plugs On Honda Civic 1.5L Engine?
You buy whats called %26quot;spark plug boot pullers%26quot; they look sort of like pliers, only for spark plug boots, if you do not use these you will rip the boot which seals out moisture and you will have to buy new wires.
I have a 2003 Pontiac Grand Am GT 6cyl 3.4 liter engine. Service engine soon light keeps coming back on?
The service engine soon light keeps coming back on. The code reads multiple random cylinder misfire. I have changed the SparkPlugs and wires. I have also checked the ignition packs and ignition module...those were fine. I have replaced the crank position sensor also. The light comes back on periodically and randomly. The engine makes a slight ticking and tapping noise at idle also. Any ideas what the problem is or how to fix it?I have a 2003 Pontiac Grand Am GT 6cyl 3.4 liter engine. Service engine soon light keeps coming back on?
well you can try to clean your O2 censor its behind your airfilter, and dissconet your battery termanl and that will reset your ECU/ onbord computer unit, if that doest work you can try chaging the oli sometimes that can do it, if all fails run a diagnostic on it. I think advanced auto will let you borow one for free.
well you can try to clean your O2 censor its behind your airfilter, and dissconet your battery termanl and that will reset your ECU/ onbord computer unit, if that doest work you can try chaging the oli sometimes that can do it, if all fails run a diagnostic on it. I think advanced auto will let you borow one for free.
A women loving a crossdressor is a newe experiences?
I have been dating men.. ONLY men.. and well they cant seem to want to be the man i need them too be.. So just in the last few weeks i have gone on a few new sites for crossdressors.. men who like to dress up as women.
they want to cook and clean they want to put on make up and be pretty. they love lipstick and fingernail polish.. and love cloths
now they can also change the sparkplugs in the car and fix the roof and change a light bulb.
So a women who is bold and career minded a women who has to alwasys be in charge is looking for the wrong men..
How many kids 18yrs old, men in there 20 to 60's are cross dressors.. i had no idea this even existed
so are you looking for women to love you or men?? i guess is the question.. or are you bi-..
i know i want a man who is a full time women all the time and can let me the WOMEN.. be the man in the house and be pampard by the man. who will give me baths and cook and massages..
Are you a cross dressor..???A women loving a crossdressor is a newe experiences?
Not all cross-dressers are like that. Most men that are cross-dressers do it to perform, or because they want to be a women. Others do it just cause they like the cloths. Most don't do it just cause there in touch with there feminine side. But if you really are attracted to that sort of thing and think you want to, go for it. One more thing, alot of cross-dressers are gay.
they want to cook and clean they want to put on make up and be pretty. they love lipstick and fingernail polish.. and love cloths
now they can also change the sparkplugs in the car and fix the roof and change a light bulb.
So a women who is bold and career minded a women who has to alwasys be in charge is looking for the wrong men..
How many kids 18yrs old, men in there 20 to 60's are cross dressors.. i had no idea this even existed
so are you looking for women to love you or men?? i guess is the question.. or are you bi-..
i know i want a man who is a full time women all the time and can let me the WOMEN.. be the man in the house and be pampard by the man. who will give me baths and cook and massages..
Are you a cross dressor..???A women loving a crossdressor is a newe experiences?
Not all cross-dressers are like that. Most men that are cross-dressers do it to perform, or because they want to be a women. Others do it just cause they like the cloths. Most don't do it just cause there in touch with there feminine side. But if you really are attracted to that sort of thing and think you want to, go for it. One more thing, alot of cross-dressers are gay.
Sparkplug question?
I need to change the sparkplugs in my car and I was wondering is there really a difference between the cheap sparkplugs and the expensive ones? My brother said that if I buy the more expensive ones my car will go faster. It's an all wheel drive so how much faster can it really go?Sparkplug question?
The platinum plugs will last longer and give you a slight performance edge, but if I were you, just buy the best plugs you can afford. I have seen cases where platinum plugs installed in a car that was not originally equipped with them have problems starting in very cold weather. If the car came with platinum plugs, replace them with platinum. Try to stick with OEM plugs, eg: AC Delco for GM, Autolite for Fords, Champion for Chrysler, NGK or Nippondenso for asian imports. Especially the GM, they seem to run best on AC plugs, other brands have been known to cause misfire problems.Sparkplug question?
just stick with oe plugs and you will be very happy. if you start installing other types of parts you will start having problems.Sparkplug question?
In almost all cases, you get what you pay for. The cheaper ones will not last as long. Of course there are a lot of variables to consider. Do your plugs foul often because of oil leakage, do they ash from bad air/fuel mixtures and so on. One car I had ran through plugs every six months, I switched to the more expensive Bosch Platinums and never had to replace them, just clean them, regap and go on down the road.
Hope this helps.Sparkplug question?
There is a point that additional cost yields no more value.
There is also a point at which lower cost yields no real savings.
As a minimum buy platinum plugs, less then that and you will have to replace them so soon that there will be no cost savings.
I use double platinum's because they come pre-gaped and I think I get better performance (seat of the pants, and 2 mpg if I drive sane).
Beyond that I am not sure, for example iridium's are worth the extra cost, because I have not tried them.Sparkplug question?
i actually agree with jer812 i accidentially clicked the wrong button. oe plugs that the manufacturer reccomendsSparkplug question?
I love to spoil a good time so here we go again, a good quality spark plug will work well. Platinum plugs will last longer and if the plugs on your vehicle are hard to replace I would go with the platinum plugs. As far as improving the fuel mileage, as long as your car isn't running poorly such as skipping due to worn out plugs, no plug on its own is going to improve your mileage or horsepower. Changing your air filter has a much better chance of improving fuel mileage.Sparkplug question?
Go with the OEM plugs like the manual recommends, do your maintenance like the book says, treat your car nicely and will last you a very long time...
The platinum plugs will last longer and give you a slight performance edge, but if I were you, just buy the best plugs you can afford. I have seen cases where platinum plugs installed in a car that was not originally equipped with them have problems starting in very cold weather. If the car came with platinum plugs, replace them with platinum. Try to stick with OEM plugs, eg: AC Delco for GM, Autolite for Fords, Champion for Chrysler, NGK or Nippondenso for asian imports. Especially the GM, they seem to run best on AC plugs, other brands have been known to cause misfire problems.Sparkplug question?
just stick with oe plugs and you will be very happy. if you start installing other types of parts you will start having problems.Sparkplug question?
In almost all cases, you get what you pay for. The cheaper ones will not last as long. Of course there are a lot of variables to consider. Do your plugs foul often because of oil leakage, do they ash from bad air/fuel mixtures and so on. One car I had ran through plugs every six months, I switched to the more expensive Bosch Platinums and never had to replace them, just clean them, regap and go on down the road.
Hope this helps.Sparkplug question?
There is a point that additional cost yields no more value.
There is also a point at which lower cost yields no real savings.
As a minimum buy platinum plugs, less then that and you will have to replace them so soon that there will be no cost savings.
I use double platinum's because they come pre-gaped and I think I get better performance (seat of the pants, and 2 mpg if I drive sane).
Beyond that I am not sure, for example iridium's are worth the extra cost, because I have not tried them.Sparkplug question?
i actually agree with jer812 i accidentially clicked the wrong button. oe plugs that the manufacturer reccomendsSparkplug question?
I love to spoil a good time so here we go again, a good quality spark plug will work well. Platinum plugs will last longer and if the plugs on your vehicle are hard to replace I would go with the platinum plugs. As far as improving the fuel mileage, as long as your car isn't running poorly such as skipping due to worn out plugs, no plug on its own is going to improve your mileage or horsepower. Changing your air filter has a much better chance of improving fuel mileage.Sparkplug question?
Go with the OEM plugs like the manual recommends, do your maintenance like the book says, treat your car nicely and will last you a very long time...
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