lomomike:


Lol, so you're now comfy with that annoying light?

No matter what trick you perform, that light must come up until you find what triggers the fault. Its even worst in Toyota/Lexus/Scion cars because even if pigeon farts, it will come up.


My 2003 HL 2.4L christmas light showed up, three rubbish codes up. 4 nights ago my RX330's own christmas lights showed up VSC and Check light I've not scanned it yet. I don vex park them travel back to Ibadan via bus.

speed001:
I'm havin d same problem with my 2.4L camry engine. The same code P1135 and d same obd interpretation. Pls which is d correct sensor? Is it d one on the manifold opposite d radiator or the one bellow the car before the catalyst. Note I've looked for dis sensor and I neva c sef. Some mechanics often claim' oga e nor dey do anyfin we dey cut am throway. Smh''. So pls lomomike help. Wud dat make d car guzzle more fuel?

Emperoh:
The final set, the images were taken two seconds apart.

adanny01:
I have been watching a lot of youtube videos suggesting to wash CAT with lacquer (Thinner) and others with just soapy water. Cant seem to find an obvious working method of getting the CAT working up to threshold. Though I got the fact that the P0420 comes up when the CATs efficiency drops by as low as 5%. That means that the CAT is not entirely bad but has started degrading. The check light is annoying so the need to get it out. I have not seen a better and easy solution like the installation of the spacer. Getting one has been a challenge same as the present economic conditions.

I have also found out from one of the videos that to check that the CAT is still working there should be about 100 degree Fahrenheit difference at the inlet and outlet of the CAT tested with an infrared thermometer. I wish i could have access to one.

Emperoh:


So far, the plug defouler/spacer seems the cheapest option for this now.
if this doesn't work, what i will do is to plan to change the offending catalyst. It feels like luxury, that any time i clear my codes and not see xmas lights on my instrument cluster.

Piyke:


You have a point right there, I remember a friend whose car had not only the Xmas light, but SRS, ABS...all kinds of light I wondered how he manages with viewing his cluster.lol
I remember my CEL coming on once due to low engine oil, I was just about to start driving but decided to check the dipstick, alas! oil was below low mark. You know what would have happened if I already had a CEL prior...I may have only been alerted by the grave low oil pressure light or had serious damage to the engine

Emperoh:
Adanny01,

Where are you based?

Let me get something straight. . . . .0420 and 0430 are the same thing but different banks? One is bank 1 and the other Bank 2?

Someone also mentioned the idea of changing my spark plugs.

I will be monitoring to see where this ends.

nissparts:
Or you could just buy a spacer and save yourself the stress.
N5k

adanny01:


I would have, but where and 5k for something that may or may not work. I have asked on a post above who knew where and got no answers. I got tired of looking for it even showing them pictures, most part dealers had no idea. The fabrication parts and labour isnt more than 1k.

nissparts:
@Op, your first misconception is concerning getting a used one. Contrary to what you have stated, you can easily tell a good replacement just by looking at it. I.e even before it is installed. I don't know where you intend to get your from sha but a used replacement is easily obtainable in Lagos.

Secondly, I still have spacers although just one left. However for anyone intending to install a spacer, you MUST de-cat first. Meaning, you must remove the element in the exhaust. This is because, if at that point, your element has broken up into pieces or breaks into pieces later on, you will not know until it is too late and the particles have been sucked into your engine.

Cheers

nissparts:
Or you could just buy a spacer and save yourself the stress.
N5k

adanny01:


I would have, but where and 5k for something that may or may not work. I have asked on a post above who knew where and got no answers. I got tired of looking for it even showing them pictures, most part dealers had no idea. The fabrication parts and labour isnt more than 1k. Besides "Cheapest Way To Deal With P0420?" is the thread's title.

nissparts:


Ah yes, I often forget the average Nigerian's obsession with "cheap". I see the results regularly at the workshop

adanny01:


I would have, but where and 5k for something that may or may not work. I have asked on a post above who knew where and got no answers. I got tired of looking for it even showing them pictures, most part dealers had no idea. The fabrication parts and labour isnt more than 1k. Besides "Cheapest Way To Deal With P0420?" is the thread's title.

abatically:


Go to any shop where they sell ford parts, tell them u want to buy spark plug adaptor for ford, the size is different from normal ones. Its a perfect fit for o2 sensor.

adanny01:


I will try. Thanks.

adanny01:
UPDATE!!!

Over the weekend, as i was thinking of what to use to fabricate the O2 spacer, i thought of changing my spark plugs since i had a hunch they are not so good. I checked the exhaust tube and intake air leaks as guided from the list below.

Possible causes
- Three way catalyst converter Bank 1
- Exhaust tube
- Intake air leaks
- Fuel injectors may be faulty
- Fuel injector leaks
*Spark plugs may be faulty*
- Improper ignition timing
- Engine Control Module (ECM)


Then i changed the spark plugs, and my mileage improved from my 110mile trip this morning and no CEL for over 200miles so far. I am still watching and in a couple of days if the CEL does not come back, then i shall conclude the spark plugs are responsible for the P0420.

I have suspended the fabrication but had already purchased a 16mm torque wrench attachment to weld onto a 22mm nut to fit the O2 sensor. The next thing was to buy the 22mm nut, weld and thread the other end.

Pic below show;
1. and 2. 16mm torque wrench attachment
3. O2 sensor with probe in the socket wrench
4. Red arrow shows where i will cut away to reduce the space the sensor will be away from exhaust flow. The yellow arrow shows the extend of treading which is about the same with where the probe end will be and the blue arrow shows where the welded nut will be. Dont mind the worn thread on the O2, it is an old bad one.

My major challenge was to be the threading and the thickness of the attachment. Any ideas?

Piyke:


Good to hear this. Shows the importance of ruling out other causes of codes. If you've done up to 200miles I think it most probably gone for good.

adanny01:


Its now at least 350 miles and no sign of the P0420 and my mileage couple with the new fuel price is quite better, i cant smile harder than i am doing now.

adanny01:


Its now at least 350 miles and no sign of the P0420 and my mileage couple with the new fuel price is quite better, i cant smile harder than i am doing now.

nissparts:


Do you travel inter-state? You seem to rack up miles pretty quickly. Or you aren't in Lagos?

adanny01:


You noticed and yes i do every weekend.

I work in Abj spend every weekend with my family in Kaduna! In Abj, I live close to Suleja so travel 60-70miles a day though we swap car with a friend, keep one in town and drive the other home alternatively every working day. Started that routine October and its biting hard while taking a toll on the car. After elections, it will come down or stop entirely with a new out posting.