Long story short: my service engine light came on last week. Took the SS in to the dealer today to read the code. The machanic said it was the catalytic converter. He reset the computer and told me that it could have been a false code, but if it came on again, it is probably a bad cat. About four miles from the dealer, light came on again!
The car only has 29,000 miles on it. I can't believe that the converter has gone bad. Has anyone one else experienced this before? What are your suggestions for replacement cats?
Thanks in advance for your experience and advice.
Macky
Posted by Scott Chab (Member # 174) on :
Before you replace it, find out what caused the problem in the first place.
Posted by Macky (Member # 1427) on :
quote:Originally posted by Scott Chab: Before you replace it, find out what caused the problem in the first place.
How? I know that sounds like a stupid question, but I don't know where to start. Posted by Scott Chab (Member # 174) on :
You could be running rich, the only way to know would be to have a diagnostic check done or strap it down to a dyno and have the a/f ratio checked.
The last thing you want to do is replace the cat and have the new one go on you. They aren't exactly cheap.
[ 29. March 2004, 08:10 PM: Message edited by: Scott Chab ]
Posted by CamaroSS2002LE (Member # 2023) on :
Also check on the warranty. I'm giving this to you off the top of my head but I think the Cat is warrantied for 8 years/80,000 miles. At least that's what I remember from my 2002 warranty info. I could very well be wrong, but that's what I remember. Course you could be over that 80,000 mark if you love yours as much as I love mine.
Posted by Diggler's HMS (Member # 1067) on :
There is a bulletin for bad cats in late model LS1's.......I think.
Posted by Big A (Member # 1761) on :
Turn to page 17 of your warranty booklet. The cat is covered for 8 years or 80,000 miles. I can't beleave the dealer didn't give you this info. Read the warranty, there is some good info about what is covered and the time / milage limits.
Posted by xero (Member # 2001) on :
quote:Originally posted by CamaroSS2002LE: Also check on the warranty. I'm giving this to you off the top of my head but I think the Cat is warrantied for 8 years/80,000 miles. At least that's what I remember from my 2002 warranty info. I could very well be wrong, but that's what I remember. Course you could be over that 80,000 mark if you love yours as much as I love mine.
I had mine done about a year ago.. 600 bucks worth of work done for free! Just make sure to take it to your chevy dealer to get done and it SHOULD be free, the muffler shops will try and tell you otherwise.. they tried to charge me 450 bucks and say I wasnt covered under any warranties. anyways yah, good luck with it!
Posted by 2k1SS (Member # 2072) on :
Had the cats on my '01 SS replaced once at 5k miles. Now, the SES light is on for the same problem @ 13k miles (catalyst efficiency below normal.....both banks). Dealer is giving me a hard time since I have a loudmouth installed (stock y-pipe).
It IS covered under warranty, just make sure you don't have a jerk for a service mgr!! Good Luck.
-Andy
Posted by Happy_Dan (Member # 118) on :
Check the 02 sensors first. Just to make sure it is the CATS and not the sensors.
Posted by 2k1SS (Member # 2072) on :
quote:Originally posted by Happy_Dan: Check the 02 sensors first. Just to make sure it is the CATS and not the sensors.
Sorry to jump in your thread again, but would throwing in rear O2 simms be a 'solution' to this problem or just create possibly more?? (this is assuming the cats are bad)
TIA -Andy
Posted by westell (Member # 2034) on :
Main thing, whether 02 sensor or cat(s), it's all covered. Dealer ought to love doing the work.
Problem with dealer and loudmouth ? It's behind the cat(s) Posted by Happy_Dan (Member # 118) on :
I wasn't suggesting just throwing in new o2 sensors. I was suggesting testing them to see what the problem might be.
Posted by AndromedaSS (Member # 397) on :
quote:Originally posted by Big A: Turn to page 17 of your warranty booklet. The cat is covered for 8 years or 80,000 miles. I can't beleave the dealer didn't give you this info. Read the warranty, there is some good info about what is covered and the time / milage limits.
This happened to me too awhile back.. and the service writer gave me some crap about "well since Florida doesnt have emissions testing anymore, you dont need it to be covered by the warranty.." This made me so mad.. I threw a fit and went off and spoke to managers galore.. they replaced it..
Mine was caused PROBABLY from my cutout though.. no way of knowing for sure, but this was a couple years ago??? I havent had any problems since then.. :knock on wood:
Posted by Macky (Member # 1427) on :
Thanks for all of the replies. I am very glad to hear that the warranty will cover it.
Here's the best part...the SES light is not on today! Still, I'm going to bring it by the dealer again and have them check it out. We'll definitly have a talk about the warranty then.
Thanks again.
Macky
Posted by RareSS (Member # 1818) on :
My cat went out in the first week i had the SS. They replaced it with no quarrels here. I have since put Pacesetter Longtubes on with low restrict cats and I get a code every now and then. It clears itself ever so often. I was told it is how the car is driven and the computer is trying to match the fuel mixture, rich or lean. Just what I was told. Jim
Posted by Z28-SORR (Member # 1565) on :
quote:Originally posted by 2k1SS:
quote:Originally posted by Happy_Dan: Check the 02 sensors first. Just to make sure it is the CATS and not the sensors.
Sorry to jump in your thread again, but would throwing in rear O2 simms be a 'solution' to this problem or just create possibly more?? (this is assuming the cats are bad)
TIA -Andy
No, the rear O2's just tell the computor whether or not the CAT/s are working. By putting Simms in, when you have a bad CAT, you just mask the problem.
Posted by Z28-SORR (Member # 1565) on :
quote:Originally posted by AndromedaSS:
quote:Originally posted by Big A: Turn to page 17 of your warranty booklet. The cat is covered for 8 years or 80,000 miles. I can't beleave the dealer didn't give you this info. Read the warranty, there is some good info about what is covered and the time / milage limits.
This happened to me too awhile back.. and the service writer gave me some crap about "well since Florida doesnt have emissions testing anymore, you dont need it to be covered by the warranty.." This made me so mad.. I threw a fit and went off and spoke to managers galore.. they replaced it..
Mine was caused PROBABLY from my cutout though.. no way of knowing for sure, but this was a couple years ago??? I havent had any problems since then.. :knock on wood:
The 8yr/80,000m. warrenty is an NHTSA/EPA requirement and is not effected by State or local law.
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