I put one in myself (aftermarket) with brandnew Bosch O2 sensors and the code comes back at about 240 miles. I cant tell why its giving this code. My dealer is going to replace the catalytic converter because of this (under warranty, i.e. At about 157K, I remember hearing a rattle from the bottom of the motor. Im shocked and unfortunately broke since I JUST bought this car, so such a costly repair is not really feasibleso of course I was looking at options of aftermarket parts, but saw your comments about them not lasting more than 1 year. -Is diagnostic conclusive that I need a new cat? The catalytic converter is part of the exhaust system in Subaru Forester and its main purpose is to convert exhaust gases like carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons that are harmful to health and the environment into less harmful byproducts, like carbon dioxide and Subaru Catalytic Converter Location COIA Contents [ hide] While we have seen aftermarket bearings set the ABS light due to sensor alignment and sensor ring issues, we have never seen it set a Catalytic Convertor code (P0420). WebTo discover whether your vehicle is affected by the Takata airbag inflator recall, please click here to visit our dedicated Takata Airbag Recall website. We had the headgasket done a month before the code appeared. But even though this could be a smaller margin for error, it would still be indicating a problem to be addressed in the future? EXHAUST & MUFFLER '02MY-'03MY. Is that the next step prior to investing in a new CAT? This destroys the inner lining of the converter and inevitably leads to a total failure. Would replacing the secondary O2 sensor do anything? 2008 Legacy 2.5i In your replays you dont recommend aftermarket CATS and said they fail within a year, is that the same for a direct fit, California compliant CAT? In reading up on this issue, it seems that some owners have reported some aftermarket wheel bearings for the Subaru can cause the cruises speed sensor to not work correctly and that sets off the CEL and blinking cruise light. It also started occurring at slow speeds (driving around a parking lot). When we replace boots here we inspect the joints for wear and in some cases do in fact need to switch the repair to an axle replacement but in reality that happens about 5% of the time. I understand trying to save money, but there is no solution other than back to factory parts. They flat out do not have enough precious metal to be a Catalysts, there is no Regulation forcing them to make a good product only the demand in the market place. Or you can just try stuff, like 02 sensors, super unleaded, getting the exhaust hot and hope for the best. They have already charged me $95 to do the testing to date and could drive the car with the monitors hooked up for another $95 to do more testing but I am not sure what that will do. The catalytic converter aids the conversion of these. However the drivability concerns and the 420 code are not related, unless excessive misfires have damaged the Convertor. Other makes are experiencing the exact same issue Subaru Is not alone in this and its he price of clean air. One guys scan tool could see the sensors switching so he said they are working just replace the cat. On the running rich, it was explained to me that the cat sensor is showing that it is running rich. Many thanks in advance! The O2 sensors, or just replace the HGs and see if the code clears? If you ever get around to that another article about PO420 coming on after an ECU reset, Id be delighted. Hi Justin, The most common signs of clogged catalytic converter in Subaru Outback are: limited performance above a certain speed or loss of performance, irregular running of the engine, unusual exhaust gas odor, poor fuel economy, engine check light illuminates, and sometimes rattling noises. We would suggest the logic update first as its a lot of money. He wasnt sure why the check engine light was coming on and suggested I contact subaru. Since some OBD codes are manufacturer-specific, the scanner will be able to give you more accurate information if you enter more details about your Forester. This code was not appearing before. The car was originally imported from NY and has been in Ontario since (close to 135,000km/84000miles). Learn More. Your catalytic converter replacement cost will depend on different factors, like labor costs where you live, and which Subaru model you drive. Hello, If the catalytic converter becomes clogged in your Forester, it can affect the performance of your vehicle. You can read about how the system works here. (Those are the O2 sensors, right?) its always on country lanes or motorway, never in the city, always on light gasim out of ideas, please could you through some of them? The catalytic converter aids the conversion of these. Chemicals and Exhaust Temps can acheive this, you can also remove the Convertor and sensors and try soaking it. Thanks a lot bud! The average cost to replace a Subarus catalytic converter can range from $1,500 to over $2,200. Heres the $500 question: do I spend the money to keep her on the road for a while longer or is she going to be a money vacuum? Since some OBD codes are manufacturer-specific, the scanner will be able to give you more accurate information if you enter more details about your Outback. My thinking is that either the cat has fallen apart or faulty rear O2 sensor. The vehicle identification number tells you if your car is affected. shortly after I purchased c.e.l. Lift the vehicle, allowing easy access to the catalytic converter. Is the one year lifespan of the aftermarket converters common, or just when theres a cause like a head gasket leak to make them fail? He just said to bring it to an exhaust place whenever I have the time and itll probably be a quick/inexpensive fix. I took it to my local mechanic and said it was the 0420 code. If you are not able to locate one, than that is most likely ruled out as a possibility. These are Subarus sold in the lower 48 states and Alaska. Full Diagram #44102B EXHAUST. Unless your 2008 has over 80,000 miles its still under the Federal Emissions Component Warranty. When I purchased my 05 Outback 2 years ago (then 125k, now 144k) the CEL was already on with an error code specific to the front O2 sensor (P0051 I think?). When I get it back, Ill get those front wheel bearings changed to OEM parts and I believe that should take care of the CEL and flashing cruise light. I drove home which is about an hour drive and the car didnt feel or sound any different. Baffled! In addition to the vehicle make, model, and engine type, you usually also have to type in the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). We do not have an extended emmisons system warrenty here as it seems you do in the USA. Lift the vehicle, allowing easy access to the catalytic converter. My dad recommends that I just sell the car, in fear that it may cost us much more than we bargained for. Does this help determine if its the cat or something less expensive to fix (rear O2 sensor)? Your email address will not be published. I find this hard to believe and too much of a coincidance that this occurred following our service. The light off will be shown by data from the rear o2 sensor. These are obviously aftermarket and he only charged her for the 1st one, about $600. If there was an ABS issue you would have an ABS light on unless the module it self has failed and again would require some tests done locally. The head gasket leak on your Subaru needs to be repaired, most likely the convertor and sensors as well. Subaru Forester 2009, Catalytic Converter and Pipe Assembly by Davico. Ammonia (NH 3) odor may also indicate poor catalyst function. And if that happened what kind of $ am I then looking at? Now i do all this reading and searching and blah blah. I need to know what I should do first. Service rep stated that in some instances, the attached heat shield cannot be removed (due to rust) and needs to be replaced (which could require later revisit). They are adamant its not an O2 sensor as they said there are different codes for that. 4) **Should I just continue to drive it, with higher octane (per manual recommended 87)until the light comes on again? That the Dealer should have another look. Adobe Digital Marketing. Many owners not savvy enough to do the work, will have to dish out money for labor installation as well. If the rest of the car is in good shape I would never suggest you get rid of it for a failed convertor, you may be able to get many more years of good life out of the car, the converter is an emissions control device and even when the light is on ass a result of the Computer not seeing the data it wants, the car may not be grossly polluting. Is it possible that my car may need to relearn running temperature and exhaust leaks and such in order to correct itself? Please advise if this is the way to go..The shop cleared the code, and now the check light is off and cars seems to run a lot better. Saab owners may contact the Saab Customer Assistance Center at 1-800-955-9007. Justin has been providing Subaru Owners (regardless of where they live), with tips and advice about their Subaru since 2006. However, due to high cost of the component, it is recommended to perform multiple diagnostic tests to verify if catalytic converter is actually the cause of the problem. The gas odor is probably a fuel leak, use the search feature and type in fuel smell and have a read. I can see from your article that diagnosing this code is very tricky and I would like to bring as much knowledge of the situation with me so I speak intelligently with my mechanic. You didnt mention if the Catalyst was replaced with a OE Subaru part or a aftermarket Catalyst? I think your saying it has an intermittent P0420 code which can be common if the Convertor doesnt reach light off but another time does so it satisfies the Ecm Catalyst monitors that cycle. Love your site, and I too wish you were closer to Utah. I spent 3 hours with a shop today who specializes in exhaust systems. Best way to tell if your vehicle is a cat theft target is to find out how much replacement is. I had my regular Subaru mechanic check the code and it was 0420. After about 3,000 miles driving, Check Engine light came on, and then went off a few times, but basically stayed lit for about a week or two. Is it possible that the higher operating temperatures from driving the car at high rpms and being driven at highway speed, somewhat cleaned out the cats and brought them back within the specifications of the ECU? What I do question is what are the actual conditions that throw a P0420 code (ie. A sulfur or "rotten egg" smell indicates the formation of hydrogen sulfide (H 2 S), a likely sign of catalytic converter contamination. Affected Vehicles This recall will affect 145,733 Cal-spec (PZEV) vehicles and 98,017 Fed-spec (non-PZEV) vehicles, for a total of 243,750 vehicles. 80k is still very low mileage for a Subaru and its got a lot of life left in it. CEL has been off for about 2 weeks but came back on last night (no driveability problems). We review every problem as we work to keep our roads safe. You could try using higher octane fuel and some spirited driving for a bit and see if that helps it. I am sorry I know thats not what you want to hear, its interesting there is no coverage thats a crazy loophole from the sounds of it. When I test with an OBD reader, I get the P0420 code. I would very much value your input on what I should do with respect to the recommendations I am receiving. A fuel mixture that is too rich, i.e. What do you think? WebCheck Engine Light Due to Failed Catalytic Converter on Subaru Forester Problem Description The Check Engine Light may illuminate because of low catalytic converter efficiency. Full Another thought is to not fix it? the lights came on again and I went ahead and had the new Cat installed.Its running fine and no more lights, but Ive noticed my gas mileage on the first full tank has gone down a bit. The running lean code could be a clue as well. Or mine might have another common fault, as you detail. We review every problem as we work to keep our roads safe. Just found your website today, fabulous! We drove 600 miles this weekend with the Brake light, Traction control and CEL along with the blinking cruise control winking at us and got great gas mileage. Price for sensor & labor $400.00. The catalytic converter was allegedly replaced at a Subaru dealership under recall. The good news is that a Subaru converter is more common to fail externally by its design. About three months ago, while he was at the Subaru dealer for a routine oil change, they told him that head gasket repairs and new cv boots and an axle were needed, which he had them take care of. Hello, very informative site thank you for taking the time to share your knowledge and answer questions. I suspect they did not do much more than that.. What should I expect to pay. might it cause premature head gasket failure? thank you Justin for the input guess ill get those tests. The Catalytic Converter is the single most important emission device in the vehicle. After warm up I ran it while parked at about 3000 rpm. Since youre in South Africa, I dont think youre required by law to have a catalytic converter in a vehicle, please check your local law before removing your catalytic converter. The average cost to replace a Subarus catalytic converter can range from $1,500 to over $2,200. I had the code cleared and it came back after a drive cycle. after all of this the light did come back today. Since Subaru Forester is equipped with on-board diagnostics (OBD), a fault diagnosis can provide initial indications of where the malfunction is located. The failed convertor wont do anything to leave you stranded, or do damage by waiting to repair it other than the air quality which is why its there in the first place. I have a 2007 Forester, base model. I did not get it replace. What other testing should they do? Short Term Fuel Trim in normal ranges during driving; however at idle hot spikes from -13.3 to +29.7 (normal ranges +/-10) I recently cleared the codes but today while coming to a stop, the dash lit up again with cel light and emissions check note on the screen. I cleared the code and started the car, it ran for a few seconds and then stalled. However, this is not always the case, as a bad oxygen sensor can also trigger catalytic converter codes. If you notice higher than 3 psi (0.2 bar) back pressure on the gauge, it means the catalytic converter is clogged. Some weeks later, in early December, CEL came on. It is important that you enter this 100% correctly, otherwise the result of the search may be inaccurate. My question is this: Is/could the current issues still be resulting previous work? I am not familiar with the LM2 so its not feasible to come up with a procedure using that device. nitrogen. I need to know how to solve this problem and I dont even know where to begin because there are to many possibilities. Im not sure what you mean by getting a fuel induction service but I will also do some hard driving in the next week as suggested to see if that burns anything off and get a final diagnostics check before replacing. environment. Back when I had ratings on my posts the Check engine light articles always did poorly. If it does than its possible something secondary is at fault. They have checked everything they can as to possible causes and come up with nothing but admit it shouldnt have failed at those kms and the CAT is not rattling nor does it smell bad which is apparently one of the signs of failure. Low and behold recently Ive gotten the dreaded P0420. Its a California emission vehicle, but I have tried two different non-California catalytic converters, and both have failed. On a modern vehicle you are asking for trouble if you dont use a memory maintainer tool when disconnecting the battery. You must know what is a normal reading however in order to know if the data shown is acceptable or not. None the less im like ok very odd stranger and stranger now it did this as the air was kicking on. Hi Justin, He examined the car and found a loose hose to (I think) the fuel pressure regulator or at least something that sounds like that. I like to know before I decide whether Its not the new Catalyst its the memory clear that happens along with the repair that causes the decrease in Fuel economy, it should return in time. Ken. Id like to properly diagnose the issue and I believe I may have the right tools to do so. Any chance you have that other article around? What do you think of this?? was not on b4 now. I would very much appreciate your help here. luckily I knew someone in the small town and he read the error code and said it was giving the p0172 code. Like yourself I decided to live with it since it wasnt imparing my driving. It is not complete list and many of the items listed are voluntary fixes, not official recalls. If the cat is tested and fails the test than it needs to be replaced, if how ever it reaches light off and still sets the code maybe its a candidate for the re programming as a first step. Also the HG failure could have degraded the Catalyst as well, but the most common reason they fail is they get all choked up with carbon and crud and no longer reach the light off point. If the catalytic converter efficiency degrades beyond an acceptable level, your vehicle may be releasing air pollutants that my CAT is good, Ive changed the secondary O2 sensor as well, searched for leaks before O2 sensors, did not find any. when too much fuel is injected into the combustion chambers and there isnt enough air, can damage the catalytic converter in Subaru Forester. From what I understood they are only going by OBD diagnostics. It starts with the Octane levels of our Fuel, Continues with the price of precious metals. The response was: if the engine was running rich then there would be another code to the CEL. In late April I took my 2007 Forester, 59,000 miles, to a Subaru dealership to address recall WVU-31 from April 2011 (yeah, it took me a while!). If you see any fault code from P0420 to P0424 or from P0430 to P0434 in the OBD2 scanner, it indicates a problem with the catalytic converter. So it doesnt help me determine whats wrong but puts the odds in favor of the convertor being restricted with carbon and not reaching temperature. Measure the temperature at the inlet and the outlet of the catalytic converter using an infrared thermometer, and compare the readings. This commonly happens due to a bad upstream oxygen sensor, but can also happen due to a bad MAF sensor or worn spark plugs. So i decided to switch back to premium which I used to use in the past. There is 7166 miles on this allegedly new catalytic converter. Will this pass inspection or is the history still in the memory? All Wheel Drive Auto LLC. From what I understood they are only going by OBD diagnostics. Someone really needs to look at the Data and figure it out, is really what needs to happen. Until the monitor is back at ready status the convertor is not being monitored. Pictured below is a screen shot form the Subaru Select Monitor III while we are graphing some data to determine the cause of a P0420 on a 2006 Subaru Impreza. Theconverter is made of a honeycomb ceramicstructure held in place with a Nickel supportshell, all contained in a metal housing. You can clearly see thedifferencesin the two high lighted readings, I have also made some changes in the time anddivisionportion of the Graph to help better show the data in question. Thanks, Many converters on Subarus begin at a front Y-pipe that bolts to both sides of the engine. And ever since that repair, from time to time the CEL comes on and the cruise light blinks. If after the reflash it didnt resolve the issue I would then re evaluate it, and if the Catalyst is still not reaching 600 degrees I would then replace the Catalyst. Ive wondered if the newer ethynol mixtures contribute to the problem, and if so what the car makers are doing to correct the issue. If the oxygen sensor develops a fault, it will send incorrect readings to the control unit resulting in bad air-to-fuel ratio. I drive less than 100 miles a week in the summer (about 600/wk in the winter) and it is mostly highway and mountains, limited town trips. The 2000 outback has 107k and is running very well so I hope to keep it for a long time. Full So these sort of problems may be getting more common with the newer models. Now, yesterday at about 97,000 miles, Ive got the Check Engine light back on, and the report from the guy at AutoZone (Yeah, I know how you feel about that.) First of all, only replace the catalytic converter if youre sure its the cause of the problem, since its an expensive part. From there use the graph as a example of what to look for. Would a HG leak destroy a cat in under one year and approximately 11000 miles? Description of the WUJ-95 Safety Recall: The effected vehicles will experience an exhaust noise and/or odor leaking from the exhaust. The thermostat being stuck open could affect the catalyst function but not the temperature gauge function, it could cause the gauge to read a lower temperature than normal but not cease to function. Do you know of any independent subaru qualified mechanics in my area? Driving at a high speed. Full On the way home from work it had some hesitation that at first I thought was caused by me not shifting correctly however a few miles down the freeway while going 75 the car started losing power and surging. Opps, I forgot my third question. So the information I pasted above from your post. A car you owned in the past had less technology and less strict emissions requirements. What do you think is causing these sounds from the front end? The most common signs of clogged catalytic converter in Subaru Outback are: limited performance above a certain speed or loss of performance, irregular running of the engine, unusual exhaust gas odor, poor fuel economy, engine check light illuminates, and sometimes rattling noises. I plan on putting another 70k on this car, so Im not opposed to necessary repairs/maintenance no matter the cost. After I changed the sensor, that code went away and the P0420 came up. Thanks! So hes leaning towards the Cat being replaced. I checked the code and it was the P0420. Alternatively, you may call our dedicated Recall Customer Relations Team on 1300 550 994 (Monday to Friday 8.30am 5.00pm AEST. WebIf you are a vehicle owner, search for recalls by your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). Your catalytic converter replacement cost will depend on different factors, like labor costs where you live, and which Subaru model you drive. Is a turbo timer really necessary for the same vehicle? Thank you Justin, that is good to know! For this test, all you need is a pressure gauge with its hose fitting. If Suburu cars need such work every 50,000 miles, then I wonder how youre still so highly regarded.. Service rep stated that in some instances, the attached heat shield cannot be removed (due to rust) and needs to be replaced (which could require later revisit). Should I take it to the dealer or let my guy do it? I guess Ill look into testing the O2 sensors first. Hi Tim, Prior to that, he managed two different restaurants for over 15 years. The Cerium acts like a spongeand soaks up the oxygen when the system islean and releases the oxygen when the mixtureis rich. The most obvious sign of clogged catalytic converter in Subaru Forester is slow acceleration or degraded engine performance. Report a problem with your vehicle, tires, car seats or other equipment. Hi, Justin, thank you for info you have provided on this site. This same issue may cause the car to fail the State Smog Test if one is required. Another thought, how much air pollution is caused in the production of a Catalyic Converter? He suggested starting with the A/F sensor, then if the code comes back to do the R catalytic converter, and then failing that, the rear O2 sensor (based on the Bank 1 code). kind regards. That really does help. Any thoughts you have would be a huge help. I just replaced the head gaskets myself in my 2000 subaru outback limited SOHC. My independent Subie guy has access to some used Cats for about $500 installed, but Im concerned thats not the only issue. He said that the HG leak could cause the Catalytic Converter to fail. Any insight would be helpful. Ive just bought a used 2009 Subaru Impreza 2.5i It is a PZEV vehicle sold and driven in Pennsylvania. My 05 Impreza with less than 70k km on it threw the code a few months back without any other error codes. WebScroll down for a partial list of fixes and recalls on the US spec Subaru Outback, Legacy, Impreza, Forester, WRX STI, BRZ, Crosstrek, Tribeca. I dont dispute that the catalytic converter probably needs replaced. After dumping money into these repairs, last thing I want to find is that I now need more expensive repairs. Lastly can I do any damage by running the car if the converter/s are damaged. The why is learned data that has been lost typically with light of parameters, coolant temperature and maybe engine repairs that make changes in Combustion temperature such as replacing leaking head gaskets. I had to demonstrate that they should have advised me of the recall during a timing belt replacement in 2008. So I had both front bearings replaced. Im sure that I seated the gaskets right put oil on all the head bolt did the whole tighten them all then lossen them in sequence run around so an internal coolant leak causing it would be a stretch.
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