Dreaded P0420 code

  #11  
Old 11-08-2014, 12:12 PM
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Welcome back!

have you considered it might be the rear O2 sensor being poisoned?
How many miles on it?

Hope you're starting and running that thing regularly -- don't want the seals, etc to dry out, etc.

Does it run poorly with the code?
 
  #12  
Old 11-08-2014, 05:11 PM
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Hey there! I've been driving it around ever so often. The rear o2 is what I'm going to change before I go drop some cash on a new cat/header combo.
 
  #13  
Old 11-08-2014, 05:12 PM
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Has around 50k miles. No it runs fine with the code.
 
  #14  
Old 11-08-2014, 07:04 PM
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Can't see it being a clogged cat at 50 K unless it is defective and came apart internally and blew to the back and clogged it.

I just found this online. You'll want to read it in its entirety. Federal Regulations.

http://www.epa.gov/obd/pubs/420f09048.pdf

Cat is covered for 8/80,000.

I would suggest trying the rear 02 sensor ---though 50k seems early for poisoning....

If it runs fine, even under power-heavy conditions, the cat may not be clogged-----unless you regularly remove the exhaust manifold to introduce children's toy blocks to the exhaust system.

If you can't get it sorted out, I would take it to a Saturn friendly GM dealership. Federal regulations require new car manufacturers to warranty the emissions system for new cars per the above document.

Please keep us posted.
 
  #15  
Old 11-09-2014, 01:27 PM
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Thanks for all the info. I was thinking myself that 50k was a tad soon to be going bad. My oldest e experience with a clogged cat was on a car with 115k miles. So I'm thinking it's the o2. But if it's not I'll take her in and get them to cover the cat. I didn't even think about it being under warranty. Enjoy the rest of your Sunday. And no I try my best to keep my kids toys out of the manifold lol
 
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