Catalytic Converter help!! P0420

gCobalt05

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My CEL was on today and I went to get the codes pulled for it and came up with P0420. The guy said my catalytic converter was low efficiency bank 1.
Not sure what this means but they said it would cost $380.00 plus extra for labor.

What do I do? I dont know much about getting a new cat converter.
I'm at 72000 miles if that helps anyone. Thanks guys!
 

Jn2

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it probably a bad cat, go on the .net and buy urself a new downpipe, should cost u more than 100 for a LSJ one, and its a performance upgrade...and u'll be set, install can be done in ~30mins...do it urself and save urself the time and money from doing it at a shop...if you were local i would do it for you for $20 to cover time and labor :p hell i had a few stock downpipes here but i got rid of them a week ago, like i said post a WTB: LSJ downpipe and ur set
 

gCobalt05

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it probably a bad cat, go on the .net and buy urself a new downpipe, should cost u more than 100 for a LSJ one, and its a performance upgrade...and u'll be set, install can be done in ~30mins...do it urself and save urself the time and money from doing it at a shop...if you were local i would do it for you for $20 to cover time and labor :p hell i had a few stock downpipes here but i got rid of them a week ago, like i said post a WTB: LSJ downpipe and ur set

So a new DP and header?
Thats what Ive read somewhere else too?
 

Jn2

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no just a new DP, u dont need a header, but if you find someone selling a LSJ header/dp together for a good deal go for it, but u only really need just the downpipe alone
 

Cobalt Tom

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wait, arent cat's warrantied by law up to like 100k miles and 8 years or something??
 

gCobalt05

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no just a new DP, u dont need a header, but if you find someone selling a LSJ header/dp together for a good deal go for it, but u only really need just the downpipe alone

Ok thanks jn2. and since the DP is a performance upgrade, what does that do? Free up horses?
 

asherby85

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I think it should be warrantied.. Take it to the dealership first and find out.

If not, then I'll have a reg 2.2 DP that you can buy off me real soon, and I will sell it to you for dirt cheap. Otherwise go for the LSJ one, it'll cost ya tad more but will a performance upgrade.

---------- Post added at 07:29 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:29 PM ----------

Ok thanks jn2. and since the DP is a performance upgrade, what does that do? Free up horses?

The diameter of the DP is bigger than what's on your car right now. Bigger diameter = better breathing = more horsepower
 

Cobalt Tom

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i have a buddy swapping out a 2.0 header and dp this weekend at my place, ill have him post up with what he would want for it if you want :) maybe he'll cut you a killer deal since im doing the install :p ;)
 

Jn2

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wait, arent cat's warrantied by law up to like 100k miles and 8 years or something??

true he may want to check into that, but i mean ths would be the ideal time to change over to a LSJ gheader/dp :) free up some horsepower...
 

gCobalt05

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Funny thing is, I was at the dealership when they told me to my face $380 plus labor. Dickkks. Trying to take my money. How true is this 8 year-80000 mile warranty on emissions?
 

asherby85

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http://www.epa.gov/obd/warranties.htm

look below at part in BOLD

B. DESIGN AND DEFECT WARRANTY

The Design and Defect Warranty covers repair of emission related parts which become defective during the warranty period. The Design and Defect warranty for model year 1995 and newer light-duty cars and trucks is outlined below:

Design and Defect Warranty Coverage for 1995 and newer light-duty vehicles:

* Emission control and emission related parts are covered for the first 2 years or 24,000 miles of vehicle use; and
* Specified major emission control components are covered for the first 8 years or 80,000 miles of vehicle use.

According to federal law, an emission control or emission related part, or a specified major emission control component, that fails because of a defect in materials or workmanship, must be repaired or replaced by the vehicle manufacturer free of charge as long as the vehicle has not exceeded the warranty time or mileage limitations for the failed part.

Design and Defect Warranty coverage may vary depending on the type of vehicle you have (e.g., heavy-duty trucks, motorcycles or recreational vehicles have different time and mileage requirements). To determine the length of warranty coverage that applies to your vehicle, look for the emissions warranty information in your owner's manual or warranty booklet. If you own a California vehicle, you may be entitled to additional warranty coverage.

The owner's manual or warranty booklet will also provide you with guidance on the procedures for obtaining warranty coverage. If you have questions about the emissions warranties on your vehicle or need help in filing a warranty claim, contact your local car dealer or the manufacturer's zone or regional representative listed in your owner's manual or warranty booklet.
What Emission Control and Emission Related Parts Are Covered by The Design and Defect Warranty?

An emission control part is any part installed with the primary purpose of controlling emissions. An emission related part is any part that has an effect on emissions. Listed below are some examples of parts or systems which fall under these definitions. A more complete list can be found in your owner's manual/warranty booklet. If any of the parts listed below fail to function or function improperly because of a defect in materials or workmanship, causing your vehicle to exceed federal emission standards, they should be repaired or replaced under the emissions warranty if your vehicle is less than 2 years old and has been driven less than 24,000 miles. One manufacturer may use more parts than another, so the following list is not complete for all vehicles.
EMISSION CONTROL PARTS

1. Exhaust Gas Conversion Systems: oxygen sensor, thermal reactor, catalytic converter, dual-walled exhaust pipe
2. Exhaust Gas Recirculation System: EGR valve, thermal vacuum switch, EGR solenoid, EGR spacer plate, EGR backpressure transducer, sensor and switches used to control EGR flow
3. Evaporative Emission Control System: purge valve, fuel filler cap, purge solenoid, vapor storage canister, and filter
4. Positive Crankcase Ventilation (PCV) System: PCV valve, PCV solenoid
5. Air Injection System: Air pump diverter, bypass, or gulp valve, reed valve, anti-backfire or deceleration valve
6. Early Fuel Evaporative (EFE) System: EFE valve, thermal vacuum switch, heat riser valve
7. Fuel Metering System: electronic control module (unit) or EFI air flow meter, computer command module or mixture control unit, deceleration controls, electronic choke, fuel injectors, fuel injection units and fuel altitude compensator sensor, bars or rails for EFI or TBI systems, mixture settings on sealed fuel mixture control solenoid, diaphragm or other systems, fuel metering components that achieve closed/other feedback control sensors/loop operation switches and valves
8. Air Induction System: thermostatically controlled air cleaner, air box
9. Ignition Systems: electronic spark advance timing advance/retard systems, high energy electronic ignition
10. Miscellaneous Parts: hoses, gaskets, brackets, clamps, and other accessories used in the above systems

EMISSION RELATED PARTS

These are examples of other parts of your vehicle which have a primary purpose other than emissions control but which nevertheless have significant effects on your vehicle's emissions. If any of these parts fail to function or function improperly, your vehicle's emissions may exceed federal standards. Therefore, when any of the parts of the following systems are defective in materials or workmanship and have failed in a way that would be likely to cause your vehicle's emissions to exceed federal standards, they should be repaired or replaced under the emissions warranty:

1. Fuel Injection System: fuel distributor
2. Air Induction System: turbocharger, intake manifold
3. Exhaust System: exhaust manifold
4. Ignition System: distributor, spark plugs, ignition wires and coil
5. Miscellaneous Parts: hoses, gaskets, brackets, clamps, and other accessories used in the above systems.

What Are Specified Major Emission Control Components?

There are three specified major emission control components, covered for the first 8 years or 80,000 miles of vehicle use on 1995 and newer vehicles:

* Catalytic converters.

* The electronic emissions control unit or computer (ECU).
* The onboard emissions diagnostic device or computer (OBD).
 
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gCobalt05

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Huge help! Thanks asherby85!
Going tomorrow to the dealership and putting it on em!
 

jusyagurljessica

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im having this same problem the p0420 code and ppl saying its the catalyt converter..my check engine light came on too can tht be the problem??
 

jusyagurljessica

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i called the chevy dealership today and yes it is covered but its 80,000 miles or 10 years whichever comes first unfortuantly im at 84,000 so it wont cover me..this suxs!
 

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