2003 Escape - P0420
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2003 Escape - P0420
The CEL came on last Thursday after I'd driven the car for over a month, and after I had the catalytic converter (lower exhaust) replaced early April. I put in some CatClean and followed the instructions on the bottle but the light is still on.
I don't want to replace the two smaller CATs as they seem to be really expensive, I'm hoping it's just the oxygen sensors or something.
I have no idea where to go from here. What would you recommend?
I don't want to replace the two smaller CATs as they seem to be really expensive, I'm hoping it's just the oxygen sensors or something.
I have no idea where to go from here. What would you recommend?
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Dec 2008
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From: Burleson, Tx
Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2004
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From: St Louis
It's not a drive-ability concern, it's only related to emissions compliance. If you don;t have emissions testing and don;t care about the CEL being on, you can do whatever you want. You can usually use one or two anti-foulers on the downstream O2 sensor to fool the system into ignoring the condition.
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It's not a drive-ability concern, it's only related to emissions compliance. If you don;t have emissions testing and don;t care about the CEL being on, you can do whatever you want. You can usually use one or two anti-foulers on the downstream O2 sensor to fool the system into ignoring the condition.
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What would you recommend?
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I have better things to do that wrack my brains out searching Google for answers. I did not join this forum just to be told to search Google.
Now, please. Humor me. I told you what I know and it's not enough. You seem to know more, so give me your information.
Go into an auto parts store, buy "X" (particularly the name of the item that's on the box - not just what everyone calls it) and place it where on the car. You know this, I don't.
Now, please. Humor me. I told you what I know and it's not enough. You seem to know more, so give me your information.
Go into an auto parts store, buy "X" (particularly the name of the item that's on the box - not just what everyone calls it) and place it where on the car. You know this, I don't.
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It's fine if you don't want to provide real assistance. Maybe I can get someone else to help.
If I thought Google would help I would have used it.
Seriously though, I've used Google and it's not always helpful. When I went to search for your anti-fouler whatever it is, Google gave me the impression that it was something to do with the spark plugs, and yet here you're telling me it's to trick the O2 sensors. I don't know if they're the same thing. I don't know how to install them. I don't know if that's the industry term for them or just slang that everyone uses.
Please stop patronizing me and just give me something I can use. Even if it's just a link to a product page it's better than Google.
If I thought Google would help I would have used it.
Seriously though, I've used Google and it's not always helpful. When I went to search for your anti-fouler whatever it is, Google gave me the impression that it was something to do with the spark plugs, and yet here you're telling me it's to trick the O2 sensors. I don't know if they're the same thing. I don't know how to install them. I don't know if that's the industry term for them or just slang that everyone uses.
Please stop patronizing me and just give me something I can use. Even if it's just a link to a product page it's better than Google.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Dec 2008
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From: Burleson, Tx
You've already been told and know that the source of your issue is the smaller cat in bank 1 but not replacing it and using the bandage of an anti-fouler to mask the system you'll only create more issues going forward because your air fuel ratio will not be correct. This will more than likely ruin spark plugs, O2 sensors and/or the other cats in the system ultimately costing you MUCH more money. Go to a junk yard, buy the parts from them and see if they fix the issue.