No symptoms, P0420 simply came on.
Welded a brand new CAT less than 3000 miles ago, grant it, I did not pay much for the CAT but still, I doubt it's melted already.
Still I did the following just to be sure: from page http://www.fixkick.com/sensors/tests/cat...blockedCat , I duplicated the following step since it was the easiest for me at the time (super cold up here and getting dark very early still):
Quote:
"To check for a restriction in the exhaust, attach a vacuum gauge to the intake manifold and run the engine at approx. 2000RPM, observe the vacuum gauge as the engine is allowed to quickly decelerate.
If the exhaust is FREE of restriction, the vacuum gauge reading will increase immediately upon closing of the throttle, then settle down to a normal reading. If there IS a restriction, the needle of the gauge WILL NOT show an increase." (due to huge backpressure at the exhaust ports)"
It does pass the test, vacuum needle jumps right back up as soon as I let the gas cable go. Engine feels normal, no evident loss of power. While engine at idle (800 rpm's) and in neutral, I did feel a couple of hiccups, nothing major though, but I did feel them. They happened a couple of times, no more.
Next, I will be taking out spark plugs to check for wetness (leaky injector?) Car was running rich in the past (before I did all the engine work to it) so I reused the spark plugs because they were fairly new still, I cleaned them the best I could and I am using them again. I have a brand new set of NGK's which I can put in if need be.
Fuel pressure at idle according to liquid filled gauge at fuel rail is 29 psi.
Some guidance please?
Welded a brand new CAT less than 3000 miles ago, grant it, I did not pay much for the CAT but still, I doubt it's melted already.
Still I did the following just to be sure: from page http://www.fixkick.com/sensors/tests/cat...blockedCat , I duplicated the following step since it was the easiest for me at the time (super cold up here and getting dark very early still):
Quote:
"To check for a restriction in the exhaust, attach a vacuum gauge to the intake manifold and run the engine at approx. 2000RPM, observe the vacuum gauge as the engine is allowed to quickly decelerate.
If the exhaust is FREE of restriction, the vacuum gauge reading will increase immediately upon closing of the throttle, then settle down to a normal reading. If there IS a restriction, the needle of the gauge WILL NOT show an increase." (due to huge backpressure at the exhaust ports)"
It does pass the test, vacuum needle jumps right back up as soon as I let the gas cable go. Engine feels normal, no evident loss of power. While engine at idle (800 rpm's) and in neutral, I did feel a couple of hiccups, nothing major though, but I did feel them. They happened a couple of times, no more.
Next, I will be taking out spark plugs to check for wetness (leaky injector?) Car was running rich in the past (before I did all the engine work to it) so I reused the spark plugs because they were fairly new still, I cleaned them the best I could and I am using them again. I have a brand new set of NGK's which I can put in if need be.
Fuel pressure at idle according to liquid filled gauge at fuel rail is 29 psi.
Some guidance please?
1996 Geo Tracker, CAMI, 16 valve, 5sp, 4x4, soft top, 2 door, no a/c