tkafam1

I have a question about this code. My check engine light turned on for about a day 6 weeks ago or so. It turned back off, so I assumed it wasn't anything to worry about. I undid my gas cap and tightened it and that seemed to do the trick. The same thing happened about 2 weeks later. I took it to a mechanic I trust, and they said it was a P0430 code and that my cat was going bad. They said to replace them both as the usually go out together (or at least around the same time). Aftermarket cats and $1200 later, I should be fine. I told them I'd get back to them and it hasn't happened since. I've searched the SC forum but there doesn't seem to be many posts on the topic so I wonder how typical the problem is.

I get the feeling the mechanic is trying to get money out of me.

So, tell me this, is it common, does it need to be fixed, and is the price okay?

Thanks in advance, ladies and gentlemen.

Tom

tkafam1

um, anybody?

StiCk3

iTrader: (5)

I had this problem about a year ago and it went away when i reset the ECU, the second time it came back it went away after a long period of driving. It hasn't bothered me since. The cat is simply an emissions tool and if you drive in a state without emission laws then you can run around with it without any cause for concern for your car. I would just leave it.

$1200 is very steep just for cats. For less than half that you can get the cats installed and have an exhaust shop put on a custom exhaust system for you.

tkafam1

Thanks for the info. I'm due for an inspection, so I hope I pass!

ICONYQ

iTrader: (3)

I would not say they are trying to rip you off but at the same time they are. If they buy a stock replacement that is what it is going to run you. However like STiCK3 said an exhaust shop is going to charge you a lot less to put in something. however I will tell you the major issue is the collector pipe that has a cat in it. That one the exhaust shop will most likley just bypass.

jhill20

iTrader: (1)

Well tkafam1, here's some food for thought. In regards to what you're mechanic said about the cat "going" bad. I would say this. P0340 is a catalytic converter efficiency code. Essentially the vehicles PCM or ECM has noticed, by monitoring numerous inputs, that the cat is not as efficient as it should be. It is also a bank specific code. It refers to Bank 2 as having the culprit cat. Technically you could replace just this side. It wouldn't be a stretch if someone recommended both sides though.

Hope this helps...