If the catalytic converter becomes clogged in your Forester, it can affect the performance of your vehicle. Should I take care of the noise/wheel bearing problem first and see if the CEL and blinking cruise light resolves itself before investigating other causes like O2 sensors and catalytic converters causing these warning lights to come on? These heat shields are susceptible to exposure and can break loose from connections and create annoying rattles while driving. So the car is literally is a few thousand away from warranty on the Catalytic. This same issue may cause the car to fail the State Smog Test if one is required. They say its not Subarish! Catalytic Converters are recyclable and just like any other recyclable material including engine oil and coolant is only hazardous if not handled properly. I have read that the leaking head gaskets and the additives they used to put in the oils cause the inside of the cats to deteriorate. I have a 2004 UK Impreza STI, just over a year ago I had the CEL light come on and diagnosed as the front O2 sensor which was replaced & fault code reset. Description of the WUJ-95 Safety Recall: The effected vehicles will experience an exhaust noise and/or odor leaking from the exhaust. A partial zero emission vehicle (PZEV) is an environmentally friendly automobile that meets strict standards. miles on it. Takata Airbag Inflator Recall. These are Subarus sold in the lower 48 states and Alaska. So the convertor relies on heat to function, the ECM ultimately creates and than takes away that heat in a cycle with the fuel trim, it relies on sensor input to know what to do next, and how changes it has made have affected the system. After reading many other posts, Im not convinced that this is the problem and are being raped by the dealerlol. His last car, a 1996 Impreza, went for 224,000 miles before it had to be scrapped. But the code has me puzzled. This should work: You seem to be a very knowledgeable Subaru mechanic and Im glad I found this website. The clear the light and its okay to drive thing after setting a P0172 was not the best advice if you drove it more than a few miles back to your normal shop. I thought to wait a little while to save up to replace cat and sensors, but the day after the car was checked, it has begun stalling at traffic lights. Model Year Carline Affected Production Dates 2015-2016 Legacy 12/16/2013 9/30/2015 2016-2016 Outback 12/9/2013 9/30/2015 I checked my gas cap but, have not driven it around to see if it resets. Many thanks in advance! The lowest price I have seen is for $325 at rockauto (I havent priced an OE CAT but Id imagine its more expensive). It had 1 previous owner and all the service records have been at that dealership as well. High octane fuel has always been used. However, I havent seen anything here (or on other sites) yet with my issue. Ignition System malfunction You can read about how the system works here. Just yesterday the check engine light came back on and Ive taken it back to my mechanic for them to drive the car hard to see if thing can get things cleared out. Buying and replacing the converters will be expensive enough. My mechanic is telling me that both O2 sensors are operational which leaves him to believe that its the front Cat. Anyone heard of this? Is the Convertor reaching the light off point but the code appears anyways? With 230,000 miles on it,I cant complain. It absolutely can not be diagnosed in the parking lot of your favorite parts store with agenericscan tool. Any unburnt fuel in the engine that goes into the exhaust system will ignite in the catalytic converter. Could a non-CA cat cause such a code, or should I be having my mechanic look for some other issue? What, if any, additional trouble shooting should I request on the fuel pressure regulator? Hello Justin. EXHAUST, Engine, CP - OEM Subaru Part # 44620AA750. If the cat converter is once removed, can you later reinstall it, if it appears that it was not the original problem? Should I have asked for a Prenup.? 370 people reported this problem 140 comments Subaru Forester Vehicles With This Typically the rear 02 sensor does not create poor performance, without knowing the code I cant comment if your guy is possibly on the right track. I bought it used so, I have no reference to what may or may not have gone on with for the previous owner. Hi Justin, Id like to properly diagnose the issue and I believe I may have the right tools to do so. At the next stop I popped the hood and noticed a severely leaking battery. Tks, Jim Gordon Asheville, NC. Literally that night filled it up with gas from sams again and the p0420 light comes on and i dont panic cause nothing about the car changes drivability remains exactly as it was. I am not knowledgeable about cars so any help that you can give me would be greatly appreciated. russellpat Registered 2022 Outback Touring XT. He wasnt sure why the check engine light was coming on and suggested I contact subaru. This would be that based on this condition X, Y shall be this voltage. Will the check engine light still come on the less minerals/meterial Federal Catwill the ECU on the pzev version be a problem on the Federal Rated Cat vs. the California one? If its caught early enough re booting is the most economical and longest lasting repair, many mechanics are afraid to do this however. Not psyched to pay 950 to replace the convertor. Pictured below is what the rear 02 sensor readings will look like once theCatalyticconverter reaches the point of light off. A quick test of the catalytic converter is tomonitor the rear oxygen sensor activity duringwarm-up. pollutants such as carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, and oxides of. There are so many variables its just not possible to speculate on all of the could bes. Well, the light came on again maybe in mid January. brakes work ok when applied normally. Catalytic Converter (Front) 2022 Subaru Outback Base {{loadingIndicator}} Hamburger menu. You didnt mention if the Catalyst was replaced with a OE Subaru part or a aftermarket Catalyst? Because of the integration of the pipe and converter assemblies, Subaru converters are very expensive. 180,xxxkm Subaru vehicles generally run well, and catalytic converters rarely fail unless something causes the damage. And so far $1400 in repairs and the check engine light is still coming on. and I am hoping for easy fix.previous owner says c.e.l. Some of these owners then replaced the aftermarket bearings with OEM parts and the problem went away. If the Cat is restricted with Carbon, that carbon will prevent the light off temperature from being realized, if the carbon can be cleaned the Catalyst may return to the light of stage. Thanks for reading. Dealer anticipates either needs new catlytic converter (still under warranty) or CO2 sensor (not warranted). THANKS. Even with the check engine it was running perfect until it didnt. it could be worth importing them myself from what Ive read online most Subaru ones appear to only be around the $1000 each mark. -Does cat affect fuel efficiency? I have a 2005 Subaru Legacy Wagon Limited and I get code P0420. -engine is not doing its job. Justin, Someone else suggested it could just be the oxygen sensors and not both catalytic converters, as the dealer suggested. Hi Justin However, my cruise control isnt working. This causes the vehicle to fail an emissions test. Cheers, I came across your article while researching the issue I am having with my wifes 03 Forrester. Good info, it helps a lot, thanks Justin. Many want to tackle a diagnoses themselves, I understand and respect that. Unfortunately this did not work either. In reading up on this issue, it seems that some owners have reported some aftermarket wheel bearings for the Subaru can cause the cruises speed sensor to not work correctly and that sets off the CEL and blinking cruise light. The walls of the shell on the Subaru converters are designed thin in order to reduce the resistance of exhaust gases. In addition to the vehicle make, model, and engine type, you usually also have to type in the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). Also, Im looking at replacement cats online and I see on some places that theres a rear cat, other places it just shows a front cat that connects with the exhause manifold, and in other places theres what they call direct fit replacements where it looks like a rear and front cat but only the midsection (not up to manifold). To begin troubleshooting, you must first connect the diagnostic tool to your Outback. What you are experiencing is the ECM only looking at the PROM ( programmed read only data) VS Live Data rater then Learned data which is now lost, so voltages form the rear 02 sensor that were acceptable prior or no longer acceptable as the parameters for setting the code are based on new parts with no margin for error. These are obviously aftermarket and he only charged her for the 1st one, about $600. What I am trying to explain to you is that just because a part was replaced in the past does not mean that its ok today. This will be at op temp only and most likely never at idle. Lights went out for a little bit then came back on, it ahs been super cold around here lately and wife only drives about 10 miles to work each day. Learn about our recall process. Im not sure what you mean by getting a fuel induction service but I will also do some hard driving in the next week as suggested to see if that burns anything off and get a final diagnostics check before replacing. Im amazed you are still taking the time to answer all these very similar questions, but Ill throw my situation into the mix and maybe something sticks out. (just purchased recently).currently uses no measurable amount of coolant or oil.It seems to run fantastic!Car was owned by a easy driver and kept in top condition. All Rights Reserved. Subaru Forester 2009, Catalytic Converter and Pipe Assembly by Davico. What do you mean by If the Rear O2 sensor was tested out side of the data you gave me? I have the infamous P0420 code and I just had my Head Gaskets replaced at the dealer. The Catalytic Converter is the single most important emission device in the vehicle. Do you think it would be wise and the most cost effective to let the dealer read my p0420 code for themselves and then tell me I need a Catalyic converter (The service writer told me that is what they do 99.9% of the time with the p0420 code). So i decided to switch back to premium which I used to use in the past. Your email address will not be published. Failed inspection recently with a P0420 code. Thats the point of this article is to try and explain that without analysis there is no diagnoses, without diagnoses its all just a guess. The Converter needs to be tested for its ability to Achieve light off temps and data as seen through the rear 02 sensor required to be a Catalyst. This makes the converter more efficientat oxidizing HC into H2O and CO2. If you dont have any good advice I have a 2000 subaru outback for sale. Here is where it gets interesting i had them put some uv dye in so we can pinpoint fresh leaks that may need addressed. Huge appreciation for that! As far as the po420 code goes ,can I use bg 44k for cleaning cat in the subaru? Another guy from Canada. I would read one of my many articles about fuel economy concerns in the winter, that might help you understand your drop in economy. It has a HG leak, I lose coolant, not at a very high rate though. Converter Configuration: Direct Fit. 83000 miles on it and I get the dreaded P0420 code. He says it will run about $1200 and its best to do all three at the same time. Poor acceleration I cant believe you are still answering questions about this code, thanks! Without data you dont know if the Catalyst function is improved or not. Other than a sticky clutch and a lit ABS light, the car ran well and I didnt notice any issues while doing a test drive, I even let the car idle for a while and the engine temp remained stable. It Runs great and doesnt use any fluids at all. The lights were on until the tank was about half empty and then went off. There is also a Catalyst function test that can be performed out side of any sensor, that will tell you the ability of the convertor to work, it will not isolate left to right on your system however. Wasnt like he was trying to take my money. I have filled the tank up with 93, and added a bottle of chevron techron. Symptoms include the rattling sound over 3000 RPM, occasional low idling/stalling. Helps your vehicle emit harmless gases Direct OEM replacement. I am wondering whether this problem could be related to the P0420 code. My mechanioc doesnt think the additive would have been enough to make the difference in the fuel ratio. Im not sure how much a sensor costs but I really dont have any more money to put into it right now. I had the c converter replaced about 2 years ago. Unfortunately, now the check engine light is coming on, and is saying that the catalytic converter is not operating correctly. Best way to tell if your vehicle is a cat theft target is to find out how much replacement is. Kind regards, Should I make sure they checked the O2 sensors, A/F fuel ratio, ECT, MAP before I allow them to replace it? I got home last night and went to emissions (basically a code scan) today and the car passed. 85,000 miles. The next part is a little less scientific and a little more in the grey area, its entirely possible for a check engine light to occur after the battery isdisconnectedand set a PO420 even though there were no indications of a catalyst issue prior. It is important that you enter this 100% correctly, otherwise the result of the search may be inaccurate. This is to get your attention as the public tends to ignore the check engine light or think they just have a loose gas cap, then the next day they are stranded. If I dont remedy the problem, am I putting any other system/component at risk? I have also recently been driving it a LOT, I have put a good 800 miles on it because we are moving from Oregon to California.about a 172 mile round trip and have have made that trip 3 times in the last 2 weeks. Its a week later, and all is still good! The most common signs of clogged catalytic converter in Subaru Outback are: limited performance above a certain speed or loss of performance, irregular running of the engine, unusual exhaust gas odor, poor fuel economy, engine check light illuminates, and sometimes rattling noises. Ammonia (NH 3) odor may also indicate poor catalyst function. pollutants such as carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, and oxides of. Any thoughts you have would be a huge help. Cannot find any reference. If you cant all I can say is what you are experiencing gets worse the newer the car as the number of systems aimed at keeping the internal combustion engine clean go up every few years. Any help or suggestions would be GREATLY appreciated. Is this indicating it is the cat conv at engine end that is reading below threshold.? I then had it towed to a local transmission shop where it is awaiting a new driveshaft from Subaru. Even fully depressing the gas pedal will not help, instead it may cause engine to sputter more. Im still getting the same gas mileage. Its still under one year since I replaced the cat. Im really frustrated with this and Its got to be something else. You cant expect good fuel economy using the car the way you are, and yes the way you are using it will shorten the life of the convertor, I am sure it is just coked up with carbon right now. The light means nothing other than have the vehicles computer scanned for coeds and then determine why, sometimes its a loose Gas cap, sometimes a failed Catalytic converter, other times it comes minutes before it begins to run very poorly or not at all. WebThe Subaru catalytic converter safety recall impacts over 240,000 vehicles worldwide. I put one in myself (aftermarket) with brandnew Bosch O2 sensors and the code comes back at about 240 miles. Its a 2008 subaru legacy 2.5i limited with 99800 miles. Thin tinny heat shields cover almost every single exhaust component on most Subaru models. Im very frustrated after putting in all that work in on this car that its throwing that code and I have no idea why. I filled the gas tank with 93 octane and dumped a bottle of Gumout fuel boost/water remover in the gas tank today. May that be the problem? Thanks in advance for any advice you care to give. I checked the codes today, no other codes besides the P0420. Hi Justin, Later that day, the light no longer appeared. I just changed the oil and decided to replace the PCV valve while I was in there. P0420 code was detected, and Subaru dealer eventually performed catalytic converter replacement under warranty. I have a 2009 Outback here in NC. Alternatively, you may call our dedicated Recall Customer Relations Team on 1300 550 994 (Monday to Friday 8.30am 5.00pm AEST. Youshouldntpay for a guess and youshouldntexpect to have testing done for free. $6100 is way to much $. It may just need a better test drive/relearn after repair, or flat out misdiagnosed. From what I understood they are only going by OBD diagnostics. However, due to high cost of the component, it is recommended to perform multiple diagnostic tests to verify if catalytic converter is actually the cause of the problem. If your Subaru Outback has racked up over 100,000 miles and you see noticeable loss of performance with high fuel consumption, a defective catalytic converter should definitely be considered. WebScroll down for a partial list of fixes and recalls on the US spec Subaru Outback, Legacy, Impreza, Forester, WRX STI, BRZ, Crosstrek, Tribeca. We were still in contact with the seller and he came and checked it out and code P0420 came up, but he said that it was nothing to be worried about and turned the light off. 1. Jody L. Campbell spent over 15 years as both a manager and an under-car specialist in the automotive repair industry. Here is a scan of the diagnostic that dealership gave me All Wheel Drive Auto LLC. As far as what the service writer told you there are some dealers that will scan a code and give you an estimate without doing any real type of diagnosis. I really like your website and it has provided a lot of information to me on the P0420 code on my 2000 Subaru Outback. In order to know what is actually causing the computer to set the check engine light for the code P0420 it would need to have a diagnoses, you have had a code scan thus far, so we know what system is affected, but now it must be diagnosed by a skilled technician to know the exact cause. Opps, I forgot my third question. 06 Outback manual trans. I am always vigilant about tightening the gas cap for several clicks. However, this is not always the case, as a bad oxygen sensor can also trigger catalytic converter codes. Ive looked at many forums and it sounds as thought this could be very simple easy fix or a big expensive one. Someone has suggested adding gumout to high octane fuel and running the car for awhile at high RPMs to possibly reguvenate the CAT temporarily. At 75,000 mile maintenance, Dealer replaced head gasket under warranty. exhaust cover '06my. I love the car, but the head gaskets were leaking. I would very much value your input on what I should do with respect to the recommendations I am receiving. None the less im like ok very odd stranger and stranger now it did this as the air was kicking on. The battery was unplugged for 2 days and so the ECM was reset. Now I need to go talk to them to see what they did. My local mechanic guy wants to reflesh the ECU, before replacing the cat or the sensors. With so many converters, one of them is bound to need replacement at some point. And since the Subaru employs multiple converters, everyone is at risk from the leading cause of the internal catalyst failure. 2020-01-02. They CEL is now off and has been for about 4500 miles. Hi Justin, Yes, removing the catalytic converter is good for engine performance, as the engine can breathe more easily. environment. If the cat is tested and fails the test than it needs to be replaced, if how ever it reaches light off and still sets the code maybe its a candidate for the re programming as a first step. They are telling me that the catalytic converter has failed, and needs to be replaced at a cost of $3400! The CEL for my 2006 Subaru Forrester was on all Winter and the dealer said it was a P0420. For about 9 months now, Ive been getting strange noises from the front end. We would suggest the logic update first as its a lot of money. Home Troubleshooting Subaru Forester clogged catalytic converter symptoms, causes, and diagnosis. How did you get on with your problem? Is it possible that the higher operating temperatures from driving the car at high rpms and being driven at highway speed, somewhat cleaned out the cats and brought them back within the specifications of the ECU? Hi Tim, Also do Tribeca CCs cost that much in the USA i.e. I am taking a more technical approach than normal to describing what happens when the code is set, as it is a very technical process that needs to occur to get real results, we dont always replace converters, sometimes its just a small exhaust leak, or a failed sensor of in some cases a faulty fuel pressure regulator. I would presume that they installed an original Subaru part and not an aftermarket part. Over 240,000 vehicles worldwide the lights were on until the tank was subaru catalytic converter recall empty. 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Been getting strange noises from the leading cause of the shell on Subaru... Helps your vehicle is a few thousand away from warranty on the catalytic converter becomes clogged in your,! I use bg 44k for cleaning cat in the Subaru converters are designed thin in order to reduce resistance. Pipe and converter assemblies, Subaru converters are recyclable and just like any other recyclable including... And went subaru catalytic converter recall emissions ( basically a code, or flat out.. The internal Catalyst failure it may cause engine to sputter more, also do Tribeca CCs cost much...