CEL popped up tonight to make my life even worse. p0420 that tells me it's likely the cat. tailpipe is always black. I checked online and the unit is the converter AND the manifold, making this thing well over $200. wtf is I have to fork this over for this design?

 

Gee well over $200. You poor thing. Not!

You get no sympathy from me. My 2002 Boxster exhaust manifold/converter (one each bank) were over $1000 (each) from the factory. I lucked out and found a good used set for $495/each.

P0420: Catalyst System Efficiency Below Threshold (Bank 1).

(My car logged a P0430 error code, same thing other bank.)

The general guidelines are to if there are any O2 sensor related error codes to replace the O2 sensors indicated by the error codes and clear the codes and then road test the car. If the P0420 (or P0430) comes back replace the indicated converter.

If you end up replacing the converter be sure you handle the replacement converter/exhaust manifold with extreme care. The converter "brick" is pretty much "glass" (ceramic) and with rough handling can fracture. In the case of my Boxster the converter was struck by road debris which caused the brick to become loose and it could get out of position which affected its efficiency. Besides efficiency the think knocked when cold and sounded like a tin shed in a hailstorm.

Be sure you bolt the manifold/converter up with *no* exhaust leaks. This can affect O2 sensor operation as well as converter operation.

 

that's nice. I've been unemployed.
new 02 senor

 

Well, sorry to learn you are unemployed. I was back in 2003 and my Boxster chose that time to act up with what proved to be a bad air/oil separator, but at the time I didn't know what was wrong. I had to leave it at the dealer possibly facing a blown engine repair while I drove my VW Golf TDi to CA to a face to face interview for a job which I got and have been at now since March 2003, except for a 6 month 3 day "vacation " but hey who's counting being laid off Sept 16 2014 when a product line I had been heavily involved in was discontinued. Both my parents were in hospice and both died in November of that year. Fortunately I was rehired at my old salary/benefits/etc March of 2015. (It was while I was back east in Dec. 2014 burying my parents and then taking care of my parents houses/personal belongings my 996 Turbo needed 3 new radiators, at around $4300. Ouch!)

Not trying to top you just reinforcing -- as if you needed this -- being out of work is no fun. And being out of work in no way protects you against you know what happening.

Be sure you network like crazy. I relied on contacts with people who I worked with/for previously and that is how I found work.

Best of luck.

 

well thanks for lightening up. I have a similar past, which altered myself pretty bad. on the flip side, I started my new job today. very short notice as you can see but I'm relieved.
now I have to order this monstrosity of a design, EVEN THOUGH THE CEL WENT OFF A SHORT WHILE AGO. I know from the 02 sensor going, it went away then back again.
edit: why does this one at pelicanparts look completely different? i can't really get under my car where' I'm at https://www.pelicanparts.com/More_Info/18307599436.htm?pn=18-30-7-599-436-BOE&SVSVSI=7327
I am able to get a glimpse of what's under there. According to all this there's 4 metal chambers this poor engine breathes through?

 

Don't but new if your can avoid it...there are plenty of OEM cats on the forum classified.

 

that ALLMAG auto parts guy doesn't appear to be replying to posts anymore. that's alright I know where I can get them. thanks for suggesting used!

 

Hello! Not sure if I missed your post in the past but we are definitely still on here and still active! We do get quite a few messages every day so we try our best to keep on top of them. If you are still looking for anything I would love to help you find it! We also have all parts listed on our website, www.allmagautoparts.com

Thank you!

 

oh good thanks!
but well the replacement doesn't look like it's going to happen by me. I spent most of the time trying to access a couple poorly placed bolts for the heat shield. the manifold doesn't seem to be removable with it on, and even then it looks like a struggle. it won't come from the top because it hits the oil pan, and the width of it interferes with, well, everything. my repair manual gives simple steps. this isn't simple and I can't find a writeup anywhere.