Posts Tagged: P0420
Catalytic Converter Cleaner: Miracle Fix or Temporary Band-Aid?
Why Catalytic Converter Cleaner Rarely Works Long-Term Quick Summary A catalytic converter cleaner may, in certain cases listed below, temporarily eliminate a P0420 or P0430 trouble code. 1) Your cat is borderline failing and has carbon buildup or deposits that are reducing the converter’s efficiency 2) The underlying problem is due to excessive oil consumption, coolant leaks, or running rich, which has fouled but not damaged the catalyst 3) You catch it early, before the substrate is physically degraded Catalytic Converter Cleaners Don’t Work When: 1) The catalyst substrate is … Read More
What to Do When You Get a P0420 Catalytic Converter Code
What to check when you get a P0420 or P0430 code Quick Summary: If your check engine light shows a P0420 catalytic converter code or a P0430 trouble code, don’t assume the oxygen sensor is bad. These codes almost always mean your catalytic converter isn’t doing its job efficiently — but the root cause is usually elsewhere. Before spending money, I’ll walk you through how I diagnose and confirm what’s really wrong so you don’t replace the wrong parts. Why a P0420 or P0430 Code Rarely Means a Bad Oxygen … Read More
Toyota Scion P0420
Fix code P0420 Toyota Scion If you own a 4-cylinder Toyota or Scion vehicle and get a check engine light with trouble code P0420, welcome to the club. This has been a persistent problem with these vehicles. To get right to the point, the problem is bad software. Toyota has updated it. But that’s not all. If you don’t maintain this vehicle EXACTLY as Toyota says, you can accelerate this problem. It all starts with misfires and not changing your oil. Misfires send unburned fuel down into the catalytic converter where it’s … Read More