Catalytic Converter Issue, Help!!
07-30-2015, 04:23 PM
#11
Autozone can give you the codes.
07-30-2015, 05:06 PM
#12
Ford Customer Service
I had a quick question for you guys.
I have a 2012 XLT SCrew 5.0 4x4, about two weekends ago i had the CEL come on. I took it to autozone and had them check the code, and they came back and said it was one of the O2 sensors that had gone bad, so i took it to the dealership to have it replaced under my extended warranty. While it was there they said that it probably needed a tune-up. I was suckered into getting the tune-up on it (which cost about $500), as well as the O2 sensor, that i was also told by the dealer, that was the issue, I paid for it and picked it up on thursday. I had the truck for about three full days after that, seemingly without issue, then monday afternoon my CEL came back on.
I took it back up to the dealer monday night, and on Wednesday was informed that my Catalytic Converters had gone bad and that was what was throwing the code. I know that cats will breakdown over time, so i asked the service rep if that could have been the issue which caused me to have to replace the O2 sensor in the first place. He proceeded to inform me that they checked the cats when i first had the truck in, and that they were fine. He then proceeded to tell me that the cats could go out at any instant, and to use his example, they could go out as suddenly as when you turn on a light and the bulb burns out. Is this actually true, or am i mistaken?
Also, he proceeded to inform me that the cats were not covered by the extended service plan, and that it would be almost $1,900 to replace them. Do any of you guys have a suggestion as to a good replacement set of cats that wont cost me that much, as i don't have that kind of money to spend right now. I am going to pick it up from the dealer today and bring it home until i can figure out what to do with it. Any help would be truly appreciated.
Thanks.
I have a 2012 XLT SCrew 5.0 4x4, about two weekends ago i had the CEL come on. I took it to autozone and had them check the code, and they came back and said it was one of the O2 sensors that had gone bad, so i took it to the dealership to have it replaced under my extended warranty. While it was there they said that it probably needed a tune-up. I was suckered into getting the tune-up on it (which cost about $500), as well as the O2 sensor, that i was also told by the dealer, that was the issue, I paid for it and picked it up on thursday. I had the truck for about three full days after that, seemingly without issue, then monday afternoon my CEL came back on.
I took it back up to the dealer monday night, and on Wednesday was informed that my Catalytic Converters had gone bad and that was what was throwing the code. I know that cats will breakdown over time, so i asked the service rep if that could have been the issue which caused me to have to replace the O2 sensor in the first place. He proceeded to inform me that they checked the cats when i first had the truck in, and that they were fine. He then proceeded to tell me that the cats could go out at any instant, and to use his example, they could go out as suddenly as when you turn on a light and the bulb burns out. Is this actually true, or am i mistaken?
Also, he proceeded to inform me that the cats were not covered by the extended service plan, and that it would be almost $1,900 to replace them. Do any of you guys have a suggestion as to a good replacement set of cats that wont cost me that much, as i don't have that kind of money to spend right now. I am going to pick it up from the dealer today and bring it home until i can figure out what to do with it. Any help would be truly appreciated.
Thanks.
Please shoot me a PM with your current mileage; I'll see how I can help out.
Chad
07-30-2015, 07:03 PM
#13
07-31-2015, 09:25 AM
#14
Ok, so I went up to the dealership and had a different service rep talk to me about what the issue was, he was very helpful in explaining what had happened. I also go to talk to one of the head mechanics that looked at my truck. They have informed me that the issue was not that the cats had clogged up, instead they are not filtering anything at all. Instead the cats are just letting the air flow directly from the engine out the back of the truck. I know i sounded pissed of yesterday, however when i went back they were fairly helpful in explaining what had happened. I think what i was more irritated about yesterday was the fact that they can go out like that. I mean when he showed me the results from the scan when i first brought it in the codes for the cats were not on the sheet. However they were for sure there when i went the second time. I still decided against spending the $1800 dollars right now and i am still getting a second opinion, i just wanted to give y'all an update on it.
Thanks for your help guys.
Thanks for your help guys.
07-31-2015, 09:42 AM
#15
A lot of the time the cats will go inert, they can't burn the unburned fuel in the exhaust stream. They like many other things we buy will last just long enough for the warranty to expire. Would still like to verify the codes to be sure.
07-31-2015, 01:57 PM
#16
I will send them to you when i get off work. I completely forgot the sheet that he wrote them down on.
08-03-2015, 09:40 AM
#17
Ok so it looks like it is a P0420 code and P0430 code. Both cats are not filtering anything through them. The mechanic said that the threshold for bank 1 is .773 at max and for bank 2 is .753 at max and both of mine are wide open at .914 I think.
08-03-2015, 02:49 PM
#18
P0420 Catalyst System Efficiency Below Threshold (Bank 1)
P0430 Catalyst System Efficiency Below Threshold (Bank 2)
If your truck is running normally and no other codes are stored then yes, both cats are inert and need replacing.
I would look into local exhaust shops as they can usually replace them cheaper than a dealer, also are more likely to have them in stock. They may also offer a discount if you let them keep the old cats, the precious metals inside are worth more than you would think, if not, request they give them back to you. Take them to your local recycler and cash them in.
P0430 Catalyst System Efficiency Below Threshold (Bank 2)
If your truck is running normally and no other codes are stored then yes, both cats are inert and need replacing.
I would look into local exhaust shops as they can usually replace them cheaper than a dealer, also are more likely to have them in stock. They may also offer a discount if you let them keep the old cats, the precious metals inside are worth more than you would think, if not, request they give them back to you. Take them to your local recycler and cash them in.
08-03-2015, 04:36 PM
#19
P0420 Catalyst System Efficiency Below Threshold (Bank 1)
P0430 Catalyst System Efficiency Below Threshold (Bank 2)
If your truck is running normally and no other codes are stored then yes, both cats are inert and need replacing.
I would look into local exhaust shops as they can usually replace them cheaper than a dealer, also are more likely to have them in stock. They may also offer a discount if you let them keep the old cats, the precious metals inside are worth more than you would think, if not, request they give them back to you. Take them to your local recycler and cash them in.
P0430 Catalyst System Efficiency Below Threshold (Bank 2)
If your truck is running normally and no other codes are stored then yes, both cats are inert and need replacing.
I would look into local exhaust shops as they can usually replace them cheaper than a dealer, also are more likely to have them in stock. They may also offer a discount if you let them keep the old cats, the precious metals inside are worth more than you would think, if not, request they give them back to you. Take them to your local recycler and cash them in.
Are you still able to sell cats to recyclers or scrap metal shops? I thought it was illegal, once people started stealing them off of other peoples cars at night. That may have just been a localized issue though.
08-03-2015, 04:54 PM
#20
Ok, that's kinda what i expected to hear. I am having a friend take it to a muffler shop so that they can get it replaced and luckily i will be out of town for the next couple of days so i wont need the truck. Also by chance do you know how long that repair would take?
Are you still able to sell cats to recyclers or scrap metal shops? I thought it was illegal, once people started stealing them off of other peoples cars at night. That may have just been a localized issue though.
Are you still able to sell cats to recyclers or scrap metal shops? I thought it was illegal, once people started stealing them off of other peoples cars at night. That may have just been a localized issue though.
Your local salvage yard will know more about their specific regs.