All sorts of problems under the hood...

[ncockerham04]

Hey guys. Went on a hog hunting trip to South Carolina. Didn't do any serious wheeling or anything, but i did run through one mud hole... nothing huge. All of the sudden, loud squealing noise and CEL flicks on. On arrival back home I take it to Firestone and they tell me that i need two new cats, two new o2 sensors, and that they just needed to tighten a bolt that holds the power steering belt in place. I'm pulling out of the shop, and she is still squealing. I have not given in and gotten the work done to the o2 sensors or cats. I didn't think cats went bad. I just replaced one of them within the last few years. Replaced an o2 sensor within the last year and a half or so. My question is... why in the heck are the o2 sensors so susceptible to being fried? When I tell you that I went though one mud hole... you can't even count it as a mud hole. South Carolina dirt compacts really hard, and mud holes are 90% just water! Let me know what to do guys. thanks.

:mad2:

 

[BlackCat914]

Hey guys. Went on a hog hunting trip to South Carolina. Didn't do any serious wheeling or anything, but i did run through one mud hole... nothing huge. All of the sudden, loud squealing noise and CEL flicks on. On arrival back home I take it to Firestone and they tell me that i need two new cats, two new o2 sensors, and that they just needed to tighten a bolt that holds the power steering belt in place. I'm pulling out of the shop, and she is still squealing. I have not given in and gotten the work done to the o2 sensors or cats. I didn't think cats went bad. I just replaced one of them within the last few years. Replaced an o2 sensor within the last year and a half or so. My question is... why in the heck are the o2 sensors so susceptible to being fried? When I tell you that I went though one mud hole... you can't even count it as a mud hole. South Carolina dirt compacts really hard, and mud holes are 90% just water! Let me know what to do guys. thanks.

:mad2:

I think Firestone is seriously trying to take advantage of you.

 

[Brian757]

Haha, weakness. I would laugh in that mechanics face.
So they are hoping you believe BOTH of your catalytic converters went bad AND BOTH o2 sensors are bad? Please go get your codes read from an AutoZone or other Parts Store. Just walk in and ask for a "diagnostic tool" or a "CEL code reader". Whatever the hell you want to call it.

Run through the instructions on the machine and get the codes. Post them here and it will give me a better understanding of whats going wrong.

Also, what are your problems? Running funny?
My best guess with the sensors are that their dirty. Unscrew them and GENTLY clean them. If your car is still throwing codes, I would just replace them. As for your cats, I think that all is just BS.

Your symptoms do not relate to a catalytic converter or O2 sensor. Squeeling usually occurs with me when i go mudding and my belts get wet, but it obviously catches and I do not hear it anymore. Let us know your symptoms.

 

[Stick Figure]

Its plausible, but not likely. Neither the o2 sensors or the cats like to be instantly cooled by water. That being said if you don't have a rattle from a bad cat, I'm guessing you fried the post cat o2(catalyst efficiency sensor), and will be throwing a p0420 code for it.

 

[Brian757]

Its plausible, but not likely. Neither the o2 sensors or the cats like to be instantly cooled by water. That being said if you don't have a rattle from a bad cat, I'm guessing you fried the post cat o2(catalyst efficiency sensor), and will be throwing a p0420 code for it.

Yeah, I was waiting to hear he blew a P0420 code - bank 1.

 

[ncockerham04]

Haha. guys im completely aware that it's BS. but this isn't the first time that it's happened. i'm not getting it "fixed" either way. im just curious as to how it is so easy for it to happen!

My symptoms at the moment... bad gas mileage... 13 mpg. that's about 5-7 lower than usual (avg highway and city). i know it's due to the o2 sensor reading wrong and throwin in too much gas. What in the world is making the cats read bad? not the first time it's happened. third time in the past year actually. first time it was fixed by a bottle of lucas injector cleaner. second time no such luck. oh and i recently had to get some of my spark plug wiring (and plugs) replaced. damn things fried and cylinders were completely misfiring. (that's the second time that work has been done since i've owned it; purchased with 177k on it, now has 241k)

 

[ncockerham04]

P0420 both banks

 

[Chandler_Ross]

What area of Chattanooga are you in? I know of a guy who has worked for Toyota for nearly 20 years as a mechanic and now buys/sells/repairs only Toyotas who lives near me in Hixson. He could probably take a look at it for you and tell you honestly what's going on. The Firestone by Northgate tried to tell me I had a bad thermostat and a leaking water pump earlier this year. Water pump is fine. Radiator was clogged and thermostat was fine. Both parts were less than a year old. So I knew they couldn't be giving me the right diagnosis.

 

[Stick Figure]

P0420 both banks

But there's only one bank of 02 Sensors on this engine since it is old and single exhaust with a single or inline catalysts.

 

[ncockerham04]

But there's only one bank of 02 Sensors on this engine since it is old and single exhaust with a single or inline catalysts.

well as of right now, the CEL is off. I reset the computer. Just need to be able to pass emissions haha. im hoping it doesn't come back on. or else this guy is going to have to find a new vehicle.

 

[ncockerham04]

Will the vehicle still throw codes (at the emissions inspection station) if the CEL is off?

 

[thebrandon]

Will the vehicle still throw codes (at the emissions inspection station) if the CEL is off?

All systems need to be in the ready state. Simply reseting the computer and driving to emissions will result in a fail, even with a vehicle that wasn't throwing codes before the reset.

 

[Brian757]

Will the vehicle still throw codes (at the emissions inspection station) if the CEL is off?

Well, go to your local auto store and get a "diagnostic tool."
If that doesn't show you codes, then your most likely fine in terms of codes flashing in your mechanics face.

However, if something in your exhaust system has failed, then you fail your smog test. I guess the only thing you can do at this point is watch and wait, and get your truck smogged.

If its not throwing the P0420 - Both Banks, then no one will suggest changing out both cats and O2 sensors.

My symptoms at the moment... bad gas mileage... 13 mpg. that's about 5-7 lower than usual (avg highway and city). i know it's due to the o2 sensor reading wrong and throwin in too much gas. What in the world is making the cats read bad?

You usually make 18-20 MPGs?! Holy smokes! Haha! I have been doing Fuelly and it has told me for the last couple of weeks that I am making 11.2 MPGs. I feel bad now The loss of MPGs could be directly related to the cold weather. Also, it appears you've added a mild lift to your vehicle? These things usually get 16-19 MPG stock.

 

[farmerjon]

I get 17-18 with mixed driving and as high as 22-24 on highway. Stock suspension with an ARB...

 

[ncockerham04]

Well, go to your local auto store and get a "diagnostic tool."
If that doesn't show you codes, then your most likely fine in terms of codes flashing in your mechanics face.

However, if something in your exhaust system has failed, then you fail your smog test. I guess the only thing you can do at this point is watch and wait, and get your truck smogged.

If its not throwing the P0420 - Both Banks, then no one will suggest changing out both cats and O2 sensors.



You usually make 18-20 MPGs?! Holy smokes! Haha! I have been doing Fuelly and it has told me for the last couple of weeks that I am making 11.2 MPGs. I feel bad now The loss of MPGs could be directly related to the cold weather. Also, it appears you've added a mild lift to your vehicle? These things usually get 16-19 MPG stock.

Sorry I guess it's not fair for me to say average. Most of my driving is interstate or highway. Miles per gallon are back to normal.just lifted the rear. No front yet. That's a definite possibility when I get new tires. Going to move up to 75s from 70s.