Cat Convertor or Oxygen Sensors for SMOG?

[Flipz]

Hi,

I am having problem with my Eclipse GS Spyder 96. It does not want to pass SMOG in California. I got a Check Engine sign a few months ago and then it disappeared. It seems that something in the emission system is wrong so I decided to change it to pass the SMOG but I do not know whether to change the cat convertor or the O2 sensors or both. I was offered to get a pre-SMOG test for 35 bucks that will give me the answer but I do not know whether it is not just another scam from the service to make money on us. I was just curious whether some of you haven't had a pre-test for SMOG and get the answers on what to change. The convertor is 100 bucks and the 02s are 120 bucks but I would love to change only one if the other is working but I am not sure whether to trust these guys with this test.

I just want to pass SMOG, what could you advise me to do??

Thanks,

Svetlin

 

[Defiant]

Hi,

I am having problem with my Eclipse GS Spyder 96. It does not want to pass SMOG in California. I got a Check Engine sign a few months ago and then it disappeared.

The CEL comes on when it gets an out-of-range signal from one of the sensors it monitors. The error is stored in memory, which can then be read out later. Which is what you need to do, or have done, now.

It seems that something

Any clue what? Get the code translated.

in the emission system is wrong so I decided to change it to pass the SMOG but I do not know whether to change the cat convertor or the O2 sensors or both.

Do you know, or are you just guessing?

I was offered to get a pre-SMOG test for 35 bucks that will give me the answer but I do not know whether it is not just another scam from the service to make money on us.

Smog shops can't afford scams. They're watched too closely by the State. A pre-test is a routine, and sensible, choice.

I was just curious whether some of you haven't had a pre-test for SMOG and get the answers on what to change.

As above.

The convertor is 100 bucks and the 02s are 120 bucks

Both can be had for about half that, search online.

but I would love to change only one if the other is working but I am not sure whether to trust these guys with this test.

Find a shop you trust.

I just want to pass SMOG, what could you advise me to do??

Do the pre-test to find out what's wrong.

 

[Flipz]

Hi,

I learned about the problem with my emissions system because when I got a Check Engine sign I went to Autozone and borrowed as OBDII tool to check what exactly is the problem. It said:

P0420
Catalyst System Efficiency Below Threshold (Bank 1)

I asked in a few forums and searched online for that message and everyone answers that it could be either cat convertor or O2 sensors if not both. The fact was that the SMOG shop said my "car runs on very high RPMs and they could not perform the test". My idle is pretty good - 700-1000rpm but I guess they meant other RPMs.

>Defiant - I saw you are located in California, do you know where I could find cheaper cat convertor and/or oxygen sensors. For cat convertor the best offer was from Road Race Engineering (roadraceengineering.com) from Santa Fe Spring, CA for $100 and 50 for installation and the O2 sensors were Bosch ones from http://www.ecatalyticconverter.com/...96-2_dot_4l_gas-eclipse_spyder_gs-oxygen.html for 60 bucks each.

If you know any shop with better prices could you please post it here.

Thank you in advance,

Best Regards,

Svetlin

 

[adidalax]

check ebay ?? just make sure you READ THE DESCRIPTION and find something thats SMOG compliant or whatever

 

[Flipz]

I am afraid eBay sells only test cat convertors for show-cars only and the price is really tempting - around 20-30 bucks but it will not allow me to pass SMOG. As far as oxygen sensors, I haven't found a single auction about such on eBay but will keep looking.

 

[adidalax]

I am afraid eBay sells only test cat convertors for show-cars only and the price is really tempting - around 20-30 bucks but it will not allow me to pass SMOG. As far as oxygen sensors, I haven't found a single auction about such on eBay but will keep looking.

that sucks.....sux to live in CA!! ! I got an OBDII Compliant 3" cat off eBay for $50