Thread: Strut Job

If any codes come up get it scanned...usually the car will be kind of powerless..Before you go replacing it you'll want to find the source of the problem. Check your o2 sensors to make sure they aren't dumping a bunch of unburned fuel through the system cause otherwise it will just clog the new one up...

well it's not powerless by any means. it'll get up and forget ya. the code is PO420
i mean how can i check the o2 sensors? i hate to buy 2 brand new sensors and the code come back and i've wasted that money and gotta buy a cat. when i could use that money to put towards struts lol.
what do you suggest? and if it is replacing the o2 sensors, do i do one at a time, drive, and see if the code comes back or what?

yeah PO420 is Cat efficiency failure...if there was a bad o2 it probably should have came up in the scan...I's not super familiar with them but I would guess IF after you replace the cat, if your gas mileage is not doing so good then you could go ahead and replace them. probably the first one, directly behind the motor, pull the engine forward like you would if you were doing a spark plug change and you will see it down there.

the code didn't say anything about a bad o2 sensor.
it says "Definition: Catalyst efficiency low-bank 1; Explanation: The o2 sensors monitor the cat's ability to store oxygen; Probable Cause: Bad cat, engine misfire/running condition, large vac leak, engine leaking oil into exhaust-valve guide seals, piston rings"