Just purchased 01 & cat converter bad per dealer? Will or won't they warranty...

[liv2bike]

Quick background...

Just bought a 2001 4Runner Sport. Love the truck. Have always wanted one. Drove off the lot Friday night from a reputable Acura dealer in Orlando. Put less than 100 miles on her over the weekend. On my way to work this morning...CEL comes on, TRAC OFF and VSC OFF also illuminate. I turn around and head back to dealer and leave it with them. We agree to one of two things. Either they fix it or return my money. They scan it and their Toyota store scans is...both say it threw catalytic converter codes. Now they have to figure out if their warranty company will cover emission parts. I think likely not even though I have in writing "major mechanical repairs...will be covered for 60 days from date of purchase..."

Looking for input from y'all. This vehicle is super clean even by my anal standards. I am really digging it and have always wanted one of these 3rd Gen 4runners with hood scoop etc. I have been looking for a while and thought this was the one. I had not come across such a clean truck and I have every service record for it. Previous owner was meticulous. He had just done timing belt/water pump service etc as well.

If they don't cover the repairs I can either get my money back or fix myself. I figure repair through stealership will be $1000 at least? Am I off? I have a trusted mechanic that would probably take care of me if I decide to keep it without them repairing it and do it myself. What to do...thoughts from some seasoned owners? Thanks a bunch!

 

[Dous]

I believe after 2000 all 4runners had 2 Catalytic Converters, just so you know. Did they not bring up the fact that it could just be the O2 Sensors?

 

[YotaZach85]

How many miles are on the truck?

 

[liv2bike]

How many miles are on the truck?

she has 139k miles on her. Straight body and paint is excellent as is the interior. Now my thing is how do they know cat(s) are bad? I doubt they dropped it to look for collapse and she runs fine and sounds just fine, no clatter or anything. I am thinking O2 sensor(s) maybe? I plan to grill them tomorrow to see if they did more than just scan and read codes. I just hate to let this one get away but maybe this is a sign I should.

 

[YotaZach85]

My cat made it all the way up to 215,000 miles so I would imagine you might just need an o2 sensor. The problem is getting them to replace the o2, their scanner said the cats shot so all they know is the cat needs to be replaced, part changers :nono:

 

[liv2bike]

I believe after 2000 all 4runners had 2 Catalytic Converters, just so you know. Did they not bring up the fact that it could just be the O2 Sensors?

they didn't mention the O2 sensors. That is where I was going to go with them tomorrow. That would be fairly straight forward...thanks man.

 

[TheDurk]

You should be aware that popping a P0420 (Catalyst below efficency) after 100 miles sounds suspiciously like the seller reset the ECU or cleared the DTC just before showing you the truck. Because that is pretty much how long it takes for the MIL to turn on again after being reset. The P0420 requires a complex driving cycle and 2-trip detection. I would let the seller know that you are aware of this suspicious time-line of events.

Usually, the P0420 is a degraded rear O2 sensor. Also check for exhaust leaks.

 

[liv2bike]

You should be aware that popping a P0420 (Catalyst below efficency) after 100 miles sounds suspiciously like the seller reset the ECU or cleared the DTC just before showing you the truck. Because that is pretty much how long it takes for the MIL to turn on again after being reset. The P0420 requires a complex driving cycle and 2-trip detection. I would let the seller know that you are aware of this suspicious time-line of events.

Usually, the P0420 is a degraded rear O2 sensor. Also check for exhaust leaks.

Yep. I totally agree. I put around 100 miles on the truck and that's when all this happened. I brought that up to them w/o accusing anyone of anything and they were like oh no, we wouldn't do that. I am going to try and get the code from them this morning, if they will give it up. I am also thinking O2 sensor. They may just go with what the scan tool told them and want to replace cats. If that's the case then they will end up keeping the truck and giving me a refund as I doubt their used car warranty provider will cover emissions components. Do I let it go over a bad O2 sensor? It would be a gamble on my part. The truck is so dang clean...

 

[liv2bike]

Just spoke with the dealer. They are willing to put in new O2 sensors and see where that gets us. I asked him for the code and he gave it up, suprisingly. P0420 is the only code it was throwing. I suggested they slap on new front and rear O2 sensors and, suprisingly, they agreed. If it throws codes again, then they will look at the cats. But for now, fingers crossed, this will fix her. I will let y'all know after I put some miles on her this evening. Thanks so much for all the input!