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Hello,
I posted this to the last hangout –
Hello Eric. I really appreciate your videos and you’ve saved me thousands of dollars with your videos over three cars. I have a 2003 Ford Focus SE with 95k miles on it, and I have a P0420, Catalyst System Efficiency Below Threshold (Bank 1). I used your diagnostic test with an infrared thermometer and checking the O2 sensor live data, and both indicate the cat is bad. I know you’ve stated previously that catalytic converters don’t go bad without something else making them go bad, like burning oil. This engine gets regular maintenance and the only symptom this car exhibits is a strong vibration across all RPMs that occurs standing or driving. With this scenario, what are the things that I should be checking for before replacing the cat? I’d hate to put a new one on just to cause it to get toasted shortly down the road. Thanks again for your videos and work.
First of all, thank you very much for your response!
I performed the power balance test and every cylinder dropped the RPM about 200 or so, so they all seem to be contributing. Should I test the engine further? I can do a compression test easy enough (parts store down the road will let me borrow their tester) but I don’t have easy access to air for say a leak down test.
I also did some reading online and discovered a pattern problem with engine mounts causing vibration. The TSB was easy enough to check (there’s no debris in the mount underneath). The two rubber mounts look fine, and the rubber in them is intact. I have no idea how to properly inspect the hydraulic mount, It looks intact and doesn’t seem to have leaked, sooo… :S
Following the engine performance videos, I found corrosion inside the spark plug wells and on the plugs, and a crack in one of the plug wires which probably let water in. I’m replacing those in short order today. I’ve already sanity checked the air filter (replaced recently), oil (1500 miles ago), and want to make sure I’m on the right track here.
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I cleaned it up and took more photos. There’s quite a few more cracks. It is much more damaged than I initially noticed.
Here’s a photo of the connector – there’s one crack to the right of the connector, and another (barely in this photo) near the top of the unit.
This speaks for itself.
Here’s the surface posterior related to the connector. There’s no less than six cracks in the case, and a hole.
Closeup and cleaned up on the bottom.
Ended up replacing the wires again – warranty. The new ones had one that was really heating up after running a while. Checked resistance on that one and it was 23k ohm.
Replaced with new set and uphill chugging is completely gone. :cheer:
Pretty sure I just have that mount left now.
Thank you all, you’ve been awesome.
[quote=”jdphenix” post=142006]Ended up replacing the wires again – warranty. The new ones had one that was really heating up after running a while. Checked resistance on that one and it was 23k ohm.
Replaced with new set and uphill chugging is completely gone. :cheer:
Pretty sure I just have that mount left now.
Thank you all, you’ve been awesome.[/quote]
Glad your ignition system problem has been solved. Keep us posted with your mount issue.
Thanks for using the forum.
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