Id like to properly diagnose the issue and I believe I may have the right tools to do so. One month later the Check Engine light comes onthats never happened before. Removing the catalytic converter almost always leads to better engine performance in older vehicles. How did you get on with your problem? I love the advice you give. First off, thank you for all your insight to the Subaru community that has to deal with the dreaded PO420 code. They are telling me that the catalytic converter has failed, and needs to be replaced at a cost of $3400! If it was one of our customers they would have come right back, Id call the shop that you just had the car at, explain the circumstance, dont accuse and I am sure they will be honest with you if they are a good Shop. Like you, they strongly suggest an OE Subaru part for it to last. Menu: Catalytic Converter Price Forester Catalytic Converter Location Whats the Time in milliseconds and divisions during Graphing and what was done to force a reading? P0420 code was detected, and Subaru dealer eventually performed catalytic converter replacement under warranty. Given the rattling, gas odor, CC inoperable, and the PO420, is it reasonable to assume the CAT needs replacing? My independent Subie guy has access to some used Cats for about $500 installed, but Im concerned thats not the only issue. I called the dealer, and they say the car has already had the ECU update. Unfortunately this did not work either. Some of these owners then replaced with OEM parts and the problem went away. He said it often is the sensors or an exhaust leak but these seemed to be operating fine and there was no exhaust leak evident. What can I check next? Subaru Motors has employed multiple catalytic converters on its vehicles for many years now. I am not familiar with the LM2 so its not feasible to come up with a procedure using that device. Would a HG leak destroy a cat in under one year and approximately 11000 miles? That should be a P0420 code: cat inefficiency bank one. O2 sensors are Ok for now. Toggle navigation. This is my normal driving style as the wifes is at a normal driving range. One year life span for the aftermarket convertors is very typical and very unfortunate which is why we wont use them. Ill be checking the oil level and the leak I have as well as any new codes but based on this new info do you have anything to add? He took it in to the Subaru dealer and they say it is a p0240 code and it needs a new catalytic converter at a cost of $1800. Thanks for your help, and your great site. It my be time for a new car. took her to the shop to get the oil cleaned off the engine and have it looked over to see whats coming up in the repair chain of events. Your email address will not be published. Any chance you have that other article around? I cant believe you are still answering questions about this code, thanks! The lights were on until the tank was about half empty and then went off. Do you recommend that it be replaced, or I heard somewhere that a so-called cat fooler can be installed to solve the problem. To turn off the check engine light, you install cat fooler/space. I got my oil change at a shop in late February and mechanic that did it said its not too serious considering the car was smogged in Nov12 and turned the light off. Catalytic However, my cruise control isnt working. Aftermarket Catalytic convertors are worth $ZERO. Performance and fuel economy are normal. Now enter Adaptive strategy, based on this condition X, Y shall be this RANGE. i have two light on dash vehicle dynamics control warning light and a emissions control unit malfunction engine control system light on dash. Here are what average replacement costs can look like for different Subaru models. I have a 2005 Subaru Legacy with 112,000 miles and recently my check engine light came on. Subaru has determined that the efficiency of your vehicles front catalytic converter may degrade over time. Webexhaust pipe containing the catalytic converter. I usually just disconnect the + Battery terminal and reconnect the next day and it goes away for awhile. 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 nitrogen gas. I though great! I bought it used so, I have no reference to what may or may not have gone on with for the previous owner. EXHAUST, Engine, CP - OEM Subaru Part # 44620AA750. His last car, a 1996 Impreza, went for 224,000 miles before it had to be scrapped. Hello, very informative site thank you for taking the time to share your knowledge and answer questions. Tuesday, I took the car on a long trip, over 300 miles and after restarting the car 100 miles into the the trip, the light was off and did not come on. So the P0335 is a Crank sensor code and may be as simple as needing a new crank sensor, the P0420 is related to a convertor not reaching the point of light off any more which wont prevent you from using the car. The car was purchased in Boston, MA and then driven to CA. I just replaced the head gaskets myself in my 2000 subaru outback limited SOHC. Like I keep stating, if instead of the price on the sticker when you buy the car instead stated how much to own over 10 years no one would buy it, this goes double for German cars. In any case, it is advisable for laypersons to visit a workshop. 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. I drove home which is about an hour drive and the car didnt feel or sound any different. This would be that based on this condition X, Y shall be this voltage. So I think these lights are coming on because of something wrong the speed sensing controls rather than something wrong with the engine or emissions systems. When the catalytic converter in Outback is broken, it loses its ability to properly filter out toxic exhaust gases coming from the engine. Ive wondered if the newer ethynol mixtures contribute to the problem, and if so what the car makers are doing to correct the issue. Catalytic Last week I finally had the time and money to have my friend who is a former head mechanic at ford (and also owns and works on subarus) change the head gaskets, exhaust gaskets, timing belt, water pump, etc. Air bags. Cannot find any reference. environment. I have been doing a good deal of research on the internet on the code with the hope that I might be able to avoid replacing the CAT. In the mean time I would look at buying this https://allwheeldriveauto.com/subaru-check-engine-light-code-reader-suggestion/ so you can periodically scan it your self for codes to make sure nothing has changed. The check-engine light on my 05 Outback came on two days ago. . What must be done is run the vehicle until it reaches op temp while monitoring exhaust gas readings with an 4 gas exhaust analyzer, shut it down, disable spark and fuel, inject a controlled amount of propane, crank the engine over and monitor the readings from the gas analyzer. These metals give the catalytic converter a 3-way operating characteristic that can changeCO, HC and N0x to inert gases like CO2. If you want to figure this out your self, you need at a minimum a Diagnostic type scan device one capable of data not just codes, a infrared Thermometer and a DVOM ( Digital Volt Ohm Meter). I suspect they did not do much more than that. 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? to hopefully pin it down. it could be worth importing them myself from what Ive read online most Subaru ones appear to only be around the $1000 each mark. 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? SOA has already declined my warranty on the cat even though my warranty specifically reads PZEV warranty on 150,000 miles that are distributed to NY, and say that its not longer warranted since I am registered in Canada. Poor acceleration I cant comment on what you should expect to pay other than at my shop, we charge $96.00 to perform a Catalyst function test in conjunction with graphing data from the 02 sensors. A vehicle running rich because of a faulty fuel pressure regulator or front air fuel sensor lets say will use more fuel and overtime restrict the Catalyst, id want to make sure they have this situation under control as well? If you dont have any good advice I have a 2000 subaru outback for sale. pollutants such as carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, and oxides of. WebCatalytic Converter Part Number: 44102FE040 Exhaust Pipe Center. Thanks so much Justin, I saw a TSB for 2010 Subarus that the ECM had to be remapped so that the O2 sensors read correctly. The first time this happened, I took it back to the shop that replaced the wheel bearings and they found that the speed sensor on one of the wheels had been damaged during wheel bearing replacement and they replaced that speed sensor. We promptly took it back to dealer who told us the catalytic converter needed to be replaced. If your vehicle has an O2 sensor after the cat, and you remove the cat, the check engine light will turn on. He also checked the sensors and said they were ok. Will this not let to increased fuel consumption? I also have a k&n drop in air filter too. I have been using low grade gas. A clogged catalytic converter essentially "suffocates" the engine, preventing it from "exhaling" the exhaust. Justin, Thanks for getting back to me. At one time I had a running to lean code but it has cleared its self. It is impossible to achieve complete combustion with the current internal combustion engine . Theconverter is made of a honeycomb ceramicstructure held in place with a Nickel supportshell, all contained in a metal housing. This was a pretty good chunk of change, so Im sure he was hoping it was good to go for awhile, but now this morning the Check Engine Light came on. pollutants to less harmful substances such as carbon dioxide, water. Thank you. After the check engine came on we took it to a friend in the small town we were close to mostly because when I called thelocal Subaru they immediately told me over the phone I had to get the entire turbo engine replaced. Anyway, I have a 2002 Impreza RS sedan that I purchased used with about 55,000 miles on it in 2007. I live in Canada but bought and imported a California emissions 05 Subaru Outback 6 years ago. 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. Because of the awkward angles and the small size of the Subaru converters--especially in the front Y-pipe--finding the right size and then welding it into the existing pipe without compromising how it needs to bolt to the engine and the remaining exhaust system is very difficult. Someone else suggested it could just be the oxygen sensors and not both catalytic converters, as the dealer suggested. 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. 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). Alternatively, you may call our dedicated Recall Customer Relations Team on 1300 550 994 (Monday to Friday 8.30am 5.00pm AEST. Rare these days! 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. You can read about how the system works here. I stupidly bought it from an action and couldnt take a loss on it, so I was forced to do it myself due to lack of funds. In my case, about a week before the code was tripped, I brought the car to my regular mechanic because we were smelling a fuel leak. My mechanic is telling me that both O2 sensors are operational which leaves him to believe that its the front Cat. I am interested to see whether my cat reaches a lights out condition. Not pleased with them. Hi, Justin, thank you for info you have provided on this site. Its got 95,000 mi. The catalytic converter aids the conversion of these. Thanks for the feedback. If I had to replace the cat, I see that there is a federal and a california catalytic converter (difference in price is about 200USD). There is 7166 miles on this allegedly new catalytic converter. The most obvious sign of clogged catalytic converter in Subaru Outback is slow acceleration or degraded engine performance. 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. I read somebody else had the same issue. I then had it towed to a local transmission shop where it is awaiting a new driveshaft from Subaru. And ever since that repair, from time to time the CEL comes on and the cruise light blinks. A clogged catalytic converter essentially "suffocates" the engine, preventing it from "exhaling" the exhaust. Its been about 5 days now and I havent seen the light anymore. All catalytic converters fail eventually since its a wearing part. Thanks for the info. I just changed the oil and decided to replace the PCV valve while I was in there. Any unburnt fuel in the engine that goes into the exhaust system will ignite in the catalytic converter. Second, I installed a Torque Pro App on my android phone and purchased a blue tooth compatable code sender. MAYBE you can assist me here..i have a 2011 forester diesel turbo. Love the turbo. Sometimes clearing the memory will cause the code to be set. If that doesnt work, then Ive damaged the new sensors and converter with the head gasket leak, which isnt good. Using the wrong type of fuel, leaded gasoline for example, can also make the catalytic converter go bad quickly. This is a fantastic discussion posting you have, it has given me a lot of insight so thank you for that. Unfortunately this did not work either. Justin has been providing Subaru Owners (regardless of where they live), with tips and advice about their Subaru since 2006. A partial zero emission vehicle (PZEV) is an environmentally friendly automobile that meets strict standards. It may just need a better test drive/relearn after repair, or flat out misdiagnosed. The car is now on its 5th cat. Catalytic Converters are recyclable and just like any other recyclable material including engine oil and coolant is only hazardous if not handled properly. Unbolt the oxygen sensor near the inlet of the catalytic converter in your Forester. Ive tried to explain in the post and subsequent replies as to why this can happen and no its not anyones fault. I have no idea what is causing it. Theyve checked all the obvious thingsbrake rotors & pads, tire noise (a new set of tires did not change the noise), wheel housings and mud flaps contacting the wheel, etc.. Hi Justin, We review every problem as we work to keep our roads safe. It took me about 5 years post education to be a good enough technician to really be able to accurately diagnose these type of conditions and even then sometimes more experience may generate even better results such as a better understanding of cause and effect which can lead to fault prevention. 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