•  
    Results 1 to 2 of 2

    Thread: Difficult start/ bad catalytic converter?

    1. #1
      What's wrong with my car?
      Join Date
      Nov 2013
      Location
      Chicago Suburbs
      Posts
      6
      Thanks
      1
      Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts

      Difficult start/ bad catalytic converter?

      My 07 Aveo5 has been having issues starting, but only after it has been sitting for several hours. I have to pump the gas for a while to get it to start. It will start just fine if it's been off for a short amount of time. The CEL is currently on, throwing a P0420 code, which I know is the catalytic converter. I checked older posts but I didn't seem to find any with a bad start and a cat code.

      I've gotten quite a bit of work done in the last 9 months or so, including:
      -water pump/ timing belt replacement (went in for an oil change and the water pump gave out in the parking lot of the shop)
      -new spark plugs, wires and head gasket (taken in because it was idling rough)
      -new coil pack (right after getting new plugs because it was idling worse)
      -tie rods and front struts (expensive)
      -brake light switch (changed that myself thanks to a post on the forums!)

      I took it to an exhaust place and they want $600 for a new cat. They didn't mention what was actually wrong with it. Is it possible that the cat is the reason my car isn't starting? I've tried turning the ignition to 'on' and listening for the fuel pump, I can't hear anything, but I don't really know what I'm listening for. Unfortunately I've only tried this after the initial cold start. According to my mechanically-inclined friend, it smells like it's running rich, but I've only noticed that after the initial difficult start.
      I haven't noticed any temp changes and performance seems to be pretty much the same. MPG might be a bit lower, but it's always lower when I use the heat. Got the oil changed about 2,500 miles ago.

      This car has over 218k miles on it, but it's fully paid off and I'm pretty attached, so I'd like to get a little bit more life out of him. Any insight or suggestions would be very appreciated!



    2. #2
      Almost time to do my timing belt xintersecty's Avatar
      Join Date
      Sep 2010
      Location
      West Union, SC
      Posts
      1,687
      Thanks
      86
      Thanked 181 Times in 156 Posts
      Here is a link about P0420.
      The Misleading Nature of the PO42O Code - Eastern Manufacturing

      600 bucks installed for a cali-rated cat is normal. However you can do the work yourself and buy a cat for about 300 bucks.


      Please do not power off, firmware update pending.....

    Similar Threads

    1. Best Catalytic Converter
      By nssmithtx in forum General Discussion
      Replies: 4
      Last Post: 04-26-2018, 05:55 AM
    2. New Catalytic Converter
      By xintersecty in forum Troubleshooting and Maintenance
      Replies: 19
      Last Post: 07-18-2015, 02:09 AM
    3. catalytic converter
      By Dusty in forum Engine & Drivetrain
      Replies: 1
      Last Post: 01-02-2014, 02:13 PM
    4. Replies: 1
      Last Post: 04-09-2013, 02:10 AM
    5. Catalytic Converter
      By daddytwins2003 in forum Engine & Drivetrain
      Replies: 3
      Last Post: 01-23-2009, 02:51 AM

    Tags for this Thread

    Posting Permissions

    • You may not post new threads
    • You may not post replies
    • You may not post attachments
    • You may not edit your posts
    •