P0420 catalytic converter replacement - Need OEM to get rid of CEL?
#1
P0420 catalytic converter replacement - Need OEM to get rid of CEL?
So I just threw a p0420 on my 2004 bone stock 2.4 single cab tacoma. It has 183k miles. Apperantly this can be several issues from what I have read on the forum and first thing tomorrow I plan to
1 check for exhaust leaks
2 clean MAF
3 test both O2 sensors
and if none of those seems to be the culprit I am planning on replacing the cat converter because after 183k it probably needs to be done anyways. My question is this - I have heard that you have to get OEM from toyota or else you will keep throwing the p0420 code is this true? Has anyone gotten a magnaflow or catco cat converter or any other brand for that matter and not thrown the p0420 code after? From the dealer I have read is over $1000
thanks
Ryan
1 check for exhaust leaks
2 clean MAF
3 test both O2 sensors
and if none of those seems to be the culprit I am planning on replacing the cat converter because after 183k it probably needs to be done anyways. My question is this - I have heard that you have to get OEM from toyota or else you will keep throwing the p0420 code is this true? Has anyone gotten a magnaflow or catco cat converter or any other brand for that matter and not thrown the p0420 code after? From the dealer I have read is over $1000
thanks
Ryan
#3
Registered User
So I just threw a p0420 on my 2004 bone stock 2.4 single cab tacoma. It has 183k miles. Apperantly this can be several issues from what I have read on the forum and first thing tomorrow I plan to
1 check for exhaust leaks
2 clean MAF
3 test both O2 sensors
and if none of those seems to be the culprit I am planning on replacing the cat converter because after 183k it probably needs to be done anyways. My question is this - I have heard that you have to get OEM from toyota or else you will keep throwing the p0420 code is this true? Has anyone gotten a magnaflow or catco cat converter or any other brand for that matter and not thrown the p0420 code after? From the dealer I have read is over $1000
thanks
Ryan
1 check for exhaust leaks
2 clean MAF
3 test both O2 sensors
and if none of those seems to be the culprit I am planning on replacing the cat converter because after 183k it probably needs to be done anyways. My question is this - I have heard that you have to get OEM from toyota or else you will keep throwing the p0420 code is this true? Has anyone gotten a magnaflow or catco cat converter or any other brand for that matter and not thrown the p0420 code after? From the dealer I have read is over $1000
thanks
Ryan
I have never heard that you have to go OEM.
I've read mixed reviews about magnaflow and I think you have to get it welded in.
I just got this one in the mail and it seems great quality...
http://www.converterwarehouse.com/ca...oductID=151273
#4
I have never heard that you have to go OEM.
I've read mixed reviews about magnaflow and I think you have to get it welded in.
I just got this one in the mail and it seems great quality...
http://www.converterwarehouse.com/ca...oductID=151273
I've read mixed reviews about magnaflow and I think you have to get it welded in.
I just got this one in the mail and it seems great quality...
http://www.converterwarehouse.com/ca...oductID=151273
http://www.urdusa.com/product_info.p..._id=1260518914
looks like a fix all only if your engine eventually throws a real code you will not know about it
#5
Registered User
There is a reason why you have to go OEM on the cat but there is a way around it. In 2001 Toyota made all their cars 50 states legal so they have to conform to the peoples republic of Kaliforina CARB standards.
What this means is that normally the ECU would flag the 420 code if when the cat converter got below some where around 75% efficiency.
Well with the CARB standards it will flag a 420 code when the converter is some where around 95% efficiency.
This is where the problem with aftermarket cats come in. Just about all non-OEM aftermarket cats are designed to meet federal emissions and not CARB compliant. Because of this they are around 90% efficient at best when brand new causes the ECU to throw a code. The OEM cats are in the high 90% on efficiency.
You didn't say where ya live so I will assume its not in The Peoples republic of Kalifornia.
The easiest way to solve this problem is just get a aftermarket high flow cat and buy a "sensor simulator" from TRD products. What the simulator does it modify the signal from the O2 sensor to make the ECU think the cat is work at 100% effiency all the time thu no 420 code.
This is the route I took with my 4runner when I couldn't get ride of the 420 code.
On a side note isn't it ironic that the code for bad emission 420 is the same as the code for national pot head day LOL.
FOG
What this means is that normally the ECU would flag the 420 code if when the cat converter got below some where around 75% efficiency.
Well with the CARB standards it will flag a 420 code when the converter is some where around 95% efficiency.
This is where the problem with aftermarket cats come in. Just about all non-OEM aftermarket cats are designed to meet federal emissions and not CARB compliant. Because of this they are around 90% efficient at best when brand new causes the ECU to throw a code. The OEM cats are in the high 90% on efficiency.
You didn't say where ya live so I will assume its not in The Peoples republic of Kalifornia.
The easiest way to solve this problem is just get a aftermarket high flow cat and buy a "sensor simulator" from TRD products. What the simulator does it modify the signal from the O2 sensor to make the ECU think the cat is work at 100% effiency all the time thu no 420 code.
This is the route I took with my 4runner when I couldn't get ride of the 420 code.
On a side note isn't it ironic that the code for bad emission 420 is the same as the code for national pot head day LOL.
FOG
#6
There is a reason why you have to go OEM on the cat but there is a way around it. In 2001 Toyota made all their cars 50 states legal so they have to conform to the peoples republic of Kaliforina CARB standards.
What this means is that normally the ECU would flag the 420 code if when the cat converter got below some where around 75% efficiency.
Well with the CARB standards it will flag a 420 code when the converter is some where around 95% efficiency.
This is where the problem with aftermarket cats come in. Just about all non-OEM aftermarket cats are designed to meet federal emissions and not CARB compliant. Because of this they are around 90% efficient at best when brand new causes the ECU to throw a code. The OEM cats are in the high 90% on efficiency.
You didn't say where ya live so I will assume its not in The Peoples republic of Kalifornia.
The easiest way to solve this problem is just get a aftermarket high flow cat and buy a "sensor simulator" from TRD products. What the simulator does it modify the signal from the O2 sensor to make the ECU think the cat is work at 100% effiency all the time thu no 420 code.
This is the route I took with my 4runner when I couldn't get ride of the 420 code.
On a side note isn't it ironic that the code for bad emission 420 is the same as the code for national pot head day LOL.
FOG
What this means is that normally the ECU would flag the 420 code if when the cat converter got below some where around 75% efficiency.
Well with the CARB standards it will flag a 420 code when the converter is some where around 95% efficiency.
This is where the problem with aftermarket cats come in. Just about all non-OEM aftermarket cats are designed to meet federal emissions and not CARB compliant. Because of this they are around 90% efficient at best when brand new causes the ECU to throw a code. The OEM cats are in the high 90% on efficiency.
You didn't say where ya live so I will assume its not in The Peoples republic of Kalifornia.
The easiest way to solve this problem is just get a aftermarket high flow cat and buy a "sensor simulator" from TRD products. What the simulator does it modify the signal from the O2 sensor to make the ECU think the cat is work at 100% effiency all the time thu no 420 code.
This is the route I took with my 4runner when I couldn't get ride of the 420 code.
On a side note isn't it ironic that the code for bad emission 420 is the same as the code for national pot head day LOL.
FOG
And by the way I live in Arizona and in a county that requires no emissions so Im free to cut off my exhaust with a hacksaw if I want.
#7
Also, the truck has been sitting for around 6 months and I left just enough gas in it to get it to the gas station. So when I started it back up and got it to the gas station to fill it with new gas (91 octane) and a bottle of lucas cleaner then drove for about 30 minutes and that is when the code came on not sure if maybe this has something to do with it? I did reset the code and it came on about an hour of driving later but I'm sure there is still a tiny bit of old gas in there still. I may wait it out for awhile a reset the code after I fill up once more with new gas.
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#8
Registered User
So your vehicle was built with FEDERAL emissions standards which your not allowed to tamper with or disable. However putting a normal cat on a CARB vehicle will make it FEDERAL emissions compliant.
And yes a normal aftermarket cat will get you 100K miles. The 02 sensor should be fine and the sensor simulator should solve all your problems.
FOG
#9
I have the exact same code. Had it for a while now. I just keep a code reader in the car and clear it when it comes up.
I suppose one day I'll have to get the simulator, but I just don't want to spend $120 to not fix a problem.
I suppose one day I'll have to get the simulator, but I just don't want to spend $120 to not fix a problem.
#10
Registered User
Except that you have to break the FEDERAL law to do that. FEDERAL law prohibits turning a KALIFORNIA emissions vehicle into a FEDERAL one. Cars must be maintained as they were built as far as emissions go. (Not that I care.)
#11
Registered User
I am thinking about just getting one of these:
http://www.urdusa.com/product_info.p..._id=1260518914
looks like a fix all only if your engine eventually throws a real code you will not know about it
http://www.urdusa.com/product_info.p..._id=1260518914
looks like a fix all only if your engine eventually throws a real code you will not know about it
#12
It doesn't matter what state you're in, federal emissions standards say that you must use a direct OEM replacement part if you need a new catalytic converter and that you may not tamper with emissions control devices. Many areas just don't require inspections and/or emissions testing to help enforce these laws.
-Dan
-Dan
#15
#18
Hey guys, my girlfriend has the same problem with hers. She's got a 99 4runner and I've been looking a lot around this and other forums. Basically what I've concluded is that Catco works well with the 4runners and I don't believe I'll have a CEL light issue after I install them.
I do know OEM would be better, and don't have the Cali issue to worry about. Just wanted a general consensus as to others with experience of aftermarket cats.
I do know OEM would be better, and don't have the Cali issue to worry about. Just wanted a general consensus as to others with experience of aftermarket cats.