Check Engine light on after oil change

K

kingofavondale

New member
Ok, so I did the first oil change on my 2000 4Runner since I got the car ~2500 miles ago (did it early because I got it from the dealer and I have not idea what crap oil they put in there). Discovered the round-about way that you have to remove the skid plate do change the filter (should've read the boards, would've been easier if I had known). But anyways . . . that is irrelevant.

I used Mobil 1 5w-30 and a K&N oil filter. My manual says that with filter, the oil capacity is 5.5 quarts. I put in 6 and it almost touches the second dot on the dipstick (is this normal? Is the manual wrong?). Oh yeah, I'll also admit to spilling oil all below the filter when I took it off (saw no way to prevent it, suggestions anyone?).

So now I go to drive it to work, and about 10 miles from my house I notice that the Check Engine light is on. Well, when I get to work (Kragen Auto Parts), I "borrow" one of the OBD2 readers, take it out to my car, and pull off the code. The code is P0420. The reader says that I have 'low catalytic pressure' and when I look up the code in one of our books, it also lists that there is a misfire in cylinder one.

So, wtf? Did I do this to my truck when I changed the oil? I don't see how I could've, but I also don't know the truck as well as some of you. What's going on? Has anyone else had this happen to them? Any help is appreciated. I'm taking it in to the dealer (still have a warranty) on friday morning.
 
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oil

Strange. In my opinion, changing the oil had nothing to do with the "check engine light". I do mine myself all the time, plus, there is nothing related to that since all you do is pull the plug, drain the oil, change out the filter and put everything back.

A few things though, make sure you use no more than 5.5 qts. 6 is too much, even with a new oil filter. Read the boards, there is plenty of info on that. Also, there is no need to remove the skid plate. In removing the oil drain plug (dont forget to put the crush washer back), there is a hole for you to access that, and then what I do to access the oil filter, I place a few towels on top of the skid plate, and reach up and get the filter. It's simple. All the oil falls on the towel and keeps it mess free from the driveway etc. This is much easier than what I used to do on my 1998 Montero Sport. You actually did have to remove the skid plate...in fact since I never went off roading, I left the damn skid plate off to keep me from having to remove the damn thing every 3000 miles. Anyway, good luck. I hope this helps. Glad to be here to help fellow Runner owners.
 
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I thought 5.5 would be enough, but when I checked the dipstick, it was low by 1/2 a quart. Does the dipstick lie? I'll do a search.

I did some more research on the code and it doesn't seem to me like I caused the problem, but it is an awefully strange coincidence. the code sems to indicate that the O2 sensors are reading different levels on either side of the cat outside of their normal tolerences. So . . . bad cat? bad 02? bad spark? . . . dunno
 
You don't have to remove the skid to change the oil but it does help. If you leave the skid on, once the oil starts dripping it no longer makes it through the hole and covers the under side of your skid plate, anyone that doesn't remove theirs pull it off and have a look. I bought one of the drain valves that you hook a hose onto for draining, that way you can direct the oil into your bucket with no drips. It drains slower but it's well worth it. As for the filter try taking a 2 or 1 liter soda bottle, or something similar, and cut it in half. Break the filter free and then put the bottle over it and twist it off, all the oil and the filter will fall into the bottle with no mess. Not sure about the light, never had that happen before, I would say it is a coincidence, if it's complaing about a misfire check your plugs, could be time for new ones, wires are out as these trucks have direct ignition, but one of the coils could be bad as well. As for the quantity go with what Toyota says or fill it until the dipstick says it's full, really and extra 1/2 quart won't hurt anything, but you should use the correct amount.
 
I am not aware of any pressure sensor in the exhaust system. Your Cat should be good for several more years. Engine mis-fire is many times the spark plugs and or wires set, if yours has wires. I am not failure with your model year. I would also clean your MAP sensor and make sure that the gas cap is on tight. If all else fails, then replace the O2 sensor for the side that is mis-firing, but please note that you should get a code specifically for the oxygen sensor.
 
hehe . . . looks like it was the gas cap. Put in gas before I went to the dealer, and by the time that I got there, the check engine light went off. The technician said that the P0420 is almost always the gas cap, especially considering that the light went off shortly after I took the cap off and then put it back on. So yeah, my bad! Thanks for all the replies though you guys.
 
Hmmm . . . something else is going on . . . and I have a theory.

Ok, so today the check engine light came on again! Pulled the same P0420 code, so I went to the gas cap, took it off, and then put it back on about 3 times today, but the light would not go off! Clicked the shit out of it to!

So here's my theory. First time the light came on, I had filled my tank up earlier in the day . . . with 87 octane gas (I'm a poor college student, what can I say. Normally I put in 92 though). The day before I went to the dealer to have them check out my light, I filled up my tank with 92 octane gas . . . then the light turned off on the way to the dealer the next day. Yesterday I again filled (well, that's a lie, partially filled) my tank with 87 octane (yeah, still poor), and now the light is on. I made another appointment today to go see the dealer again on Friday, but I'm going to test my theory that 87 octane gas is causing the light to come on before I go. So I'm going to fill up on 92 octane gas tomorrow (or thursday . . . probably thursday) and see if the light turns off.

Anyone think I'm on the right track? And if so, is that normal? I shouldn't think so. I have a bone-stock 4Runner and I should think that it would be flexible enough to take 87 octane. But I could be wrong I suppose . . .
 
So you're a poor college kid but you can afford multiple trips to the dealer to have the code read, perhaps you know someone that reads it for free. The 87 octane has nothing to do with the CEL, that is the only octane mine has ever seen and never had a problem in 92,000 miles.
 
4Runner

I heard that 93 octane was the gas that our 3.4L V6 was engineered to use and recommended by Toyota. I have been using it ever since, even when the gas prices rose. I take 100% pride in my vehicle.
 
pat161 said:
So you're a poor college kid but you can afford multiple trips to the dealer to have the code read, perhaps you know someone that reads it for free. The 87 octane has nothing to do with the CEL, that is the only octane mine has ever seen and never had a problem in 92,000 miles.
Click to expand...

yeah, read my ealier posts. I get everything done for free. Except for gas...
 
Re: 4Runner

jev2022 said:
I heard that 93 octane was the gas that our 3.4L V6 was engineered to use and recommended by Toyota. I have been using it ever since, even when the gas prices rose. I take 100% pride in my vehicle.
Click to expand...


Is that what the owners manual says. I doubt it.


Mike
 
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