Catalytic converter

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Mar 1, 2022 | 03:53 PM

Poot6478

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4th Gear

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Catalytic converter

I have a 2012 Escape XLT 4 cylinder, it has a service engine light on. The ford dealer says the O2 sensor is sending a code because its an aftermarket cat and the sensor knows this. Is he right or is he pulling one on me. Is it not possible to use after market cats on the truck?

Mar 1, 2022 | 04:11 PM

85e150

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Aftermarket cats have a poor record of doing actual cat work. It is very possible it doesn't work well enough to keep the after cat sensor happy.

Mar 2, 2022 | 03:49 PM

scott91370

Fleet Mechanic

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From: Burleson, Tx

It doesn't know it is an aftermarket cat-con it just knows that the unit in place is not doing a good enough job cleaning the exhaust of pollutants.

As 85e150 said, the aftermarket has a lot of cat-cons out there that are not up to par. Doing a lot of research to find a good one is important.

Mar 2, 2022 | 06:10 PM

PupnDuck

Fleet Mechanic

Joined: Jul 2005

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From: Staten Island, NY

Or maybe it could be a bad O2 sensor?

Mar 3, 2022 | 05:26 AM

Poot6478

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4th Gear

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Thanks everyone

Mar 3, 2022 | 07:55 AM

projectSHO89

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From: St Louis

Most likely, he over-simplified the situation.

Without specific details as to the concern, it's impossible to give you accurate recommendations.

Apr 16, 2022 | 02:06 AM

wojolsc

5th Wheeling

Joined: Jan 2003

Posts: 39

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From: Venedy Illinois - USA

Someone changed the cat because it threw a P420 code. I know someone that changed their cats for this reason. I have the same issue with my 14 CMax which theoretically should have a out 70 k on the engine. I disagree that the cat is bad . I suggest changing both the 02 sensors since they will diagnose good as long as they are sending some type of signal. The the 02 sensors shoul be replaced anyway when this happens because if they are sending improper voltage to the computer it will affect your gas mileage too. So … replace the 02 sensors first then the cat……

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Apr 22, 2022 | 07:42 PM

Y2KW57

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Poot6478

For comparison's sake, I have a 2011 Escape XLT 4 cylinder, currently with over 375,000 miles on it, in our possesion since brand new with only 11 miles on it (I picked it up at the rail yard), that to this day still has the original OEM cat, and no O2 sensor issues or DTCs relating to catalyst issues, ever.

Aftermarket parts are cheaper than OEM parts... but probably not because aftermarket companies are generous Mother Theresa like angels who don't want to make profits like the OEMs do.

Rather, I suspect that many aftermarket companies make the same profits as OEMs, and how they do it while charging less money for the parts is by building the parts with cheaper materials... perhaps, in the case of a catalytic converter... with less of the expensive catalyst material that people steal catalytic converters for.