I'm not running the ED downpipe, I've got the catted Riss Racing but it's the same story with it. P0420 code and from what I can find, it's because the cats in the aftermarket DP's aren't running the same materials (precious metals) in the cat so the downstream 02 sensor isn't seeing the results that it "expects" and it trips the CEL.

I put in a scangauge to keep an eye on other parameters and it happens to give me a quick and easy way of resetting the the CEL whenever it pops up. Until recently, I could actually force the CEL by getting on the open road and running along at a steady state of 3K rpm for a while. Had some work done a week ago and now, I get the CEL infrequently now.

The RR 02sim didn't work and lately, there's no response from them so it's probably a dead issue at this point in time.

I'm kind of curious about why someone hasn't come up with some kind "insert" that goes into the DP in front of the downstream 02 sensor that does what the OEM catalyst does. That doesn't seem like it would be all that difficult and it would fix the problem...

 

Well, I'm not sure which is worse... you all having CEL or me having mine coming loose all the time....

(at least ya'll can just reset a code... each time mine comes loose, I spend 400 for a valvecover.)

Mark

 

how does it keep coming loose? i hope to be getting mine soon! still!

 

OMG, you still haven't gotten it?

 

Oh SNAP! got my fedex tracking number on my new DP! the road better watch out now!

 

That's GREAT!!!

Mines for sale in the market cheap if anyone wants one......OCD me can't deal with the CEL.....

 

has anybody tried relocating the dp cat sensor to downstream of the second cat to avoid these cels?

 

there's no extra length in the wiring to move it, but a lot of people have tried using spacers and such. So far anyone who's managed to eliminate the p0420 with an aftermarket cat has only done so by moving to a new set of faults/issues. Until someone like Jan is able to broaden the ECU's acceptable range/tolerances ,there just doesn't seem to be any way to run an aftermarket downpipe w/o setting a code. That or the aftermarket's going to have to find a new material that meets/exceeds the oem cat and still provides some increase in power.

 

Am I the only one with one of their cats that doesn't get CEL's? I don't understand the difference between all of our cats.


Mark

 

I'm sure I've seen you posting that you've had a CEL before. The key to triggering a P0420 is having 2 drive cycles in a row that meet the required steady throttle/cruise parameters. eg. 2 highway cruises back to back. Bombing around town shouldn't ever set the fault, but often if you have a good scan tool, you'll be able to check/see pending faults.

 

You're special.................

 

You're right, I did have 1 CEL but it wasn't anything to do with the O2 sensor catalytic converter. (it had to do with fuel injectors.. it was just a glitch, came once and never saw it again)

I just picked my car up from the dealership. I've got a limp mode icon on the dash and other than the dealer found my fuel pump leaking, they don't know what's causing the light to come on.

The code refers to a differentiation in pressure but once they came across the aftermarket intercooler, everything stopped.

They blamed the intercooler and I told them that I've had it on there for over a dozen track weekends and 18K miles... I assured them if the intercooler had a problem, the light would have reared it's ugly head before now.

I picked the car up and did a smoke test on it. Smoke was blowing past the lower hose going on to the intercooler. I changed clamps and it quit smoking but on the way home, the limp home mode light came on.

Tomorrow I'll pull the bumper and intercooler and put the stock silencer hose back on.

We'll see....


Mark

 

I believe if you have an early 09 and earlier ECU, you will never get a CEL with ED DP. With my old 07 ECU I have driven over 20k miles and NEVER had a CEL. Last month they had to CHANGE my ECU (not flash). With this new ECU I have been throwing CEL every now and then. I will be installing a non-fouler and see if it works with the ED DP.

 

you're right, the early cars were a bit less sensitive. The change in ecu/programming took place later in '07 'tho.

 

While that may be true, it doesn't account for cars like Gordon's '07. I believe he's running the original ECU.

Regardless, I've got issues far more than stupid CEL's.

Hopefully I can figure it out soon...


Mark

 

I have an 07 and have the CEL issue with my ED DP. p2096

 

Gordon's "09".......february build

 

Dude, I'm sorry... I didn't mean your car anyways.... I was thinking of someone else that had an '07 with a CEL.

I must have had you on the brain after reading your posts...




Mark

 

I don't have the ED catted DP but, for the most part it seems we are all seeing the same thing. I'm only addressing catted DP's, not catless as that opens up another can of worms that I can't speak to. Earlier in this thread or in another, it was posted that the 09 ECU's tightened up the specs for the 02 sensors because the MINI is an Ultra Low Emissions Vehicle (ULEV). Earlier years probably won't get the P0420 because the ECU isn't "expecting" such narrow standards. Because none of the aftermarket DP makers are using the same materials in the CC's, the downstream 02 sensor isn't "seeing" what the ECU was programmed to expect.

The post above about moving the downstream 02 sensor is a good idea! No, there's not enough OEM wiring to move the 02 sensor but what's stopping us from simply cutting the existing wires and extending the harness?

By putting the downstream 02 sensor behind the 2nd OEM cat, it "should" pass the ECU standards and not trip the P0420 which is causing the CEL.

As for the 07's and 08's that are running the catted DP's without the codes/CEL's, I'd be somewhat wary of the dealer reflashing the ECU if you have the car in for work to be done on it. I'm sure the hardware has changed a couple of times but if the earlier ECU's will run it, the newer OEM ECU tunes will put you in the same boat with the rest of us...

Does anyone with one of these DP's have access to an exhaust shop that will put an 02 sensor bung in your exhaust pipe after the 2nd cat?

 

That idea may work except for the JCW guys who only have 1 cat.


Mark

 

One step at a time... Too bad a custom ECU tune can't/doesn't open the specs up a bit.... After all, with the catted DP, we didn't delete any emissions control parts...

 

Just an update on the ED DP on 09+ ECUs. I installed 2 spark plug nonfoulers on the DP and after 200 miles, no p0420 code. 90% of the time driven at 3k RPMs to try to get CEL back on. Around 110 miles I had a p0141 code so I checked the downpipe and saw a little hole on the weld. Welded it closed and no CEL so far. If p0141 comes back on, I'll take off one of the spark plug nonfoulers.

 

If that works, you're going to make a LOT of people happy.

Hope it continues...


Mark

 

Hey guys, can someone tell me where the Exhaust Depot shop is located? I am actually in Miami and see the address on their showing the city of Hialeah (pretty much mins from Miami) yet I see his location on the forum showing to be "orlando, fl". I tried calling the phone number listed on the website yet it appears to be disconnected.

 

Doh, p0141 with both foulers after 100 miles. p2096 with one fouler after 25 miles, or p0420 after XX miles without any foulers, which CEL do I choose??