New catalytic converter

AaronsVolvo · Post by **AaronsVolvo** » 14 Mar 2018, 16:25

Currently I’m testing out how long before the light comes back on, I’ve done about 100 miles since the reset and the light still hasn’t come on.
I just changed the fuel filter, so maybe that’ll help it out a bit.

This afternoon after doing the sparks it had a bit more power

AaronsVolvo · Post by **AaronsVolvo** » 15 Mar 2018, 18:58

Well I have driven it over 210 miles some resetting the codes a few days ago.
It’s had several hot stars and a few cold starts(not sure on amount).
No lights or codes whatsoever from my code reader.
What do you guys think? Am I in the clear over the P0420 code?

The spark plugs have been changed, I have added some oil to the engine. Other than that nothing much since the code reset.
When I changed the sparks there was oil on top of the plugs from the oil cap leaking. I’ve since wiped up the oil and replaced the cap(no more oil leak)
But the oil had obviously been there a while, I think the oil was the reason the old plugs were not working optimal because they did not actually look terribly worn at all. Could oil have gone through the plug threads into the cylinder causing the codes to come up from burning oil?

When I took the plugs out they were easy to unscrew, it didn’t take any force at all. I mean at all, they just turned out without question. I could be wrong but I would guess that they were so easy to remove because they had been well oiled lol
Or they just weren’t on tight to begin with

Post by **abscate** » 15 Mar 2018, 22:07

Loose spark plugscould easily have screwed up your mixture trim and coded.

I'm glad you saved yourself a $1000 buck cat

Post by **RickHaleParker** » 16 Mar 2018, 05:08

I could be wrong but I would guess that they were so easy to remove because they had been well oiled lol
Or they just weren’t on tight to begin with

Your suppose to tighten them just enough to seat the Crush Washer. Some people forever have problems comprehending that.

Where the Crush Washers seated?

Post by **abscate** » 16 Mar 2018, 05:14

Spark plugs, 18 foot pounds torque

That's using your arm strength up to your elbow with a 6 inch ratchet handle , if you don't have a torque wrench

The torque isn't critical but the washer does need to be firmly seated

Post by **RickHaleParker** » 16 Mar 2018, 05:21

That's using your arm strength up to your elbow with a 6 inch ratchet handle , if you don't have a torque wrench

What works for me is to grab the end of the ratchet with three finger tips and pull with just the three finger muscles, you can feel when the Crush Washer seats when you do it this way.

AaronsVolvo · Post by **AaronsVolvo** » 16 Mar 2018, 10:18

I do not think the crush washer was seated on the old plugs. I could be wrong, but I could have reached down there and just slid the old plugs out without the socket.

I didn’t use a torque wrench, I pretty much did what Neil said for tightening them. I got them tight enough they weren’t going anywhere but I certainly did not try to over tighten them.

Checking the service records, last August the car only had the P0722 and P1057 code, then in December was when the P0420 code came up along with the other two. So at some point in between those months was when something went funky.
The friend I bought the car from said the car lost power in the short time she drove it, after the P0420 code in December she parked the car. It stayed parked except for a couple occasions until I picked it up 2 weeks ago.

I sure hope the old spark plugs were the reason the catalytic codes came up!!

If the P0722 code had actually been caused by a bad speee sensor and not the ABS module, how long would it take for that code to come back?
I would have thought immediately or close to it?

AaronsVolvo · Post by **AaronsVolvo** » 16 Mar 2018, 12:32

Okay on my lunch break I took it to get emissions checked. I told the guy what all had been going on, he said before actually checking it he would test to see if the car was ready yet-nope.
Catalytic, O2, and Evap system were not ready yet.
He told me get another 50 or so miles on it, it should be pretty close to being testable.

I managed to get another 20-25 miles on it before going to work. I tested the car with my code reader before parking it, code p1081 came back on my code reader.
Still no check engine....
I’m hoping I can get enough miles on it after work before the emissions place closes. He said I can have 2 tests outstanding and it will pass. So I just need one of the catalytic, evap, or O2 to finish it’s cycle and be clear.
I’d prefer all to be working though so I don’t have a check engine light all the time...

AaronsVolvo · Post by **AaronsVolvo** » 16 Mar 2018, 12:46

Here is what his computer read out gave.

Post by **RickHaleParker** » 16 Mar 2018, 12:52

P1081 came back on my code reader.

Check again, P1081 is ECM-720A Immobilizer communication .....
I'm thinking you need to get Vida DiCE for better data.

New catalytic converter

Re: New catalytic converter