I am always vigilant about tightening the gas cap for several clicks. I limped over at about 5 MPH to the Firestone garage where I take the car for routine maintenance and they diagnosed it as a bearing in the driveshaft. Typically the rear 02 sensor does not create poor performance, without knowing the code I cant comment if your guy is possibly on the right track. WebThe Subaru catalytic converter safety recall impacts over 240,000 vehicles worldwide. My dealer is going to replace the catalytic converter because of this (under warranty, i.e. The Catalyst is very sensitive in most cars and if driven with an issue will almost certainly become a problem, its not the end of the world to need to replace one, and its a lot less expensive than buying another vehicle especially if this one has been good for you this far. Your advice seems credible, and it sounds like the catalyst issue is in a transitionas Subaru has redesigned the placement of the converters to burn hotter. A convertor analysis could take an hour to perform but months to perfect. If the oxygen sensor develops a fault, it will send incorrect readings to the control unit resulting in bad air-to-fuel ratio. They say its not Subarish! For this test, all you need is a pressure gauge with its hose fitting. My independent Subie guy has access to some used Cats for about $500 installed, but Im concerned thats not the only issue. Helps your vehicle emit harmless gases Direct OEM replacement. The data generated is only as good as the sensor, so the sensor must be tested first. Is it possible the aftermarket muffler is leaking ? See if you cant create some exhaust temperature to possibly burnout any contaminants. I got everything fixed and filled up with the best premium. Also the HG failure could have degraded the Catalyst as well, but the most common reason they fail is they get all choked up with carbon and crud and no longer reach the light off point. Hi Justin, This same issue may cause the car to fail the State Smog Test if one is required. Ammonia (NH 3) odor may also indicate poor catalyst function. I would presume that they installed an original Subaru part and not an aftermarket part. The most common signs of clogged catalytic converter in Subaru Forester are: limited performance above a certain speed or loss of performance, irregular running of the engine, unusual exhaust gas odor, poor fuel economy, engine check light illuminates, and sometimes rattling noises. Many converters on Subarus begin at a front Y-pipe that bolts to both sides of the engine. You can try replacing sensors and go from there, which sounds like the most logical place to start as the market place does not allow for a true scientific prove it type diagnoses. Thanks for the feedback. Model Year Carline Affected Production Dates 2015-2016 Legacy 12/16/2013 9/30/2015 2016-2016 Outback 12/9/2013 9/30/2015 Well, unfortunately the car died before I could even look at it:(. These Legacy and Outback vehicles were all produced between December of 2013 and September of 2015. It is not uncommon to see yet another converter downstream integrated in the construction of an intermediate pipe. Exhaust. Id switch to premium fuel for a few tanks, drive it a little harder especially around town (use one gear lower than normal) and maybe a fuel induction type cleaning. reads: P0420 Catalyst Information Below Threshold While this benefits the performance of the engine, it compromises the structural durability of the shell. Since you may have more familiarity with dealing with my exhaust system, here are the notes from today after a bunch of diagnostics: Then enter the next quandary, if its just a little outside of the range will trying to burn out carbon after correcting weak/lazy sensors help improve function? Very familiar with that converter and sensor configuration. The P0420 may be related to what ever is causing the P0172, but I cant know that until I diagnosed. Its just difficult to try and spell out a procedure for you. Yep, need to get that code read! Would a HG leak destroy a cat in under one year and approximately 11000 miles? Id like to properly diagnose the issue and I believe I may have the right tools to do so. Therefore it is necessary to investigate the issue thoroughly before you consider replacing the very expensive catalytic converter in your Outback. Start the engine of your Subaru Forester and wait until it is at the right operational temperature level. Appreciate it! Is that normal with the new Cat? its always on country lanes or motorway, never in the city, always on light gasim out of ideas, please could you through some of them? Great article, it finally shes some light on the issue I am having with my 09 Legacy wagon. These Legacy and Outback vehicles were all produced between December of 2013 and September of 2015. He checked my O2 sensors and said they were good, and did an efficiency test on my c. converter and said everything was within the normal parameters. Would replacing the secondary O2 sensor do anything? The aftermarket cats just dont last very long and the slightest amount of carbon prevents function. Any thoughts you have would be most appreciated. Thanks! Thanks in advance for any advice you care to give. The catalytic converter aids the conversion of these. We review every problem as we work to keep our roads safe. O2 sensors are Ok for now. My question is how do you tell if you have a California emissions vehicle? The cat fooler is installed between the pipe and o2 sensor. BTW, in terms of usage, I commute 60 miles round trip daily, mostly highway, and otherwise drive around town a bit. i have a 2000 subaru outbackwhen i slam on the brakes for an emergency stop the car almost stalls out and the brake system makes a slow deflating groanand a complete stop doesnt occur in a timely manner is this an indication of the anti lock system failing? Subaru has determined that the efficiency of your vehicles front catalytic converter may degrade over time. All catalytic converters fail eventually since its a wearing part. With the tool connected, turn on the ignition. Sorry, that link got broken. Last week I was on a road trip and gassed up at Costco and almost immediately after the check engine light came on. So I am hoping you can suggest what my next moves with my Subaru dealer here should be as i am very reluctant to rush into replacing the CC,s. CE light came on yesterday. Hello, Justin, thank you for some terrific info you have provided on this site. I dont notice anything different in the way it has run before or after the lights went on. The OBDII connector is usually located under the dashboard. However, it can fail much earlier due to contamination, overheating or physical damage. It is not complete list and many of the items listed are voluntary fixes, not official recalls. WebShop 2022 Subaru Outback Base Catalytic Converter (Front). I have a 2004 Legacy with the 420 code. I have an innovate LM2 wideband sensor, can I use it to get the information necessary to better know whether or not I need a new CAT or O2 sensors? My car is still within the Cat warranty at 76K, but I have a rebuilt title and Im not sure they will honor it. The vehicle identification number tells you if your car is affected. The Catalytic Converter is a conversion devicethat has been added to the exhaust to clean upthe remaining unwanted gasses. The purposeof the catalytic converter is to reduce HC,CO and NOx. But after reaching a certain speed, the performance of the engine will drop due to blockage of increasing exhaust gases in the system. We also asked they do a 100,000 mile check for issues. Like yourself I decided to live with it since it wasnt imparing my driving. When I test with an OBD reader, I get the P0420 code. Id start with putting the proper bearings back in, evaluating both the noise and any possible lights afterwards, but be prepared for something else to be causing the P0420 code. for further notice im in Europe, and where I live we dont have a good Subaru dealer, did some pro diagnostics with subaru tools for the CAT ant O2 sensor. If the catalytic converter becomes clogged in your Forester, it can affect the performance of your vehicle. 180,xxxkm That the Dealer should have another look. Unfortunately this did not work either. Later it starting changing in tone and frequency to a variety of sounds including a scraping type of sound. Thanks for your very informative article. The CEL on our 2003 Forester is coming on again. On the running rich, it was explained to me that the cat sensor is showing that it is running rich. Unfortunately this did not work either. They are now taking about replacing the catalytic converter. When I drive like my wife drives it will not throw the code. I also have a k&n drop in air filter too. I work from home so I dont drive a lot myself. Its not a fuel ratio thing, not sure why that would come up? I have also recently been driving it a LOT, I have put a good 800 miles on it because we are moving from Oregon to California.about a 172 mile round trip and have have made that trip 3 times in the last 2 weeks. Well, the light came on again maybe in mid January. Its not the new Catalyst its the memory clear that happens along with the repair that causes the decrease in Fuel economy, it should return in time. How is this test performedwhile driving or during idle? Not psyched to pay 950 to replace the convertor. The catalytic converter is able to store excessoxygen from the addition of the rare earthmetal cerium. And ever since that repair, from time to time the CEL comes on and the cruise light blinks. My car too has the p0420 code. Thanks, He reset and said it was fine to drive back home to my regular mechanic. I have heard that sometimes reflashing the ECU can take care of this P0420 code reflash problem so I am thinking of trying that first. Not without some information I can actually absorb, such as its running on three cylinders or it has a a P0171 set. Have a safety problem? 2022 Subaru Outback Base {{loadingIndicator}} Hamburger menu. Tightening the gas cap if its loose may correct the light , but more importantly why would you keep leaving the cap loose? Poor acceleration Anyone heard of this? What to do from here? Put in some 94 octane, and some fuel injector cleaner and had that spirited drive on the highway to put some life back into the Cat (as per Justins great recommendation! Reading out the fault codes using a diagnostic device is relatively reliable. (Those are the O2 sensors, right?) Any suggestions?? I replaced it when I got home and the CEL went away. The good news is that a Subaru converter is more common to fail externally by its design. Subaru has determined that the efficiency of your vehicles front catalytic converter may degrade over time. Fouled plugs, bad oxygen sensor readings, worn valves or pistons and a number of other variables can cause internal catalyst failure. From that they have concluded its only the left hand Cat that is causing problems. I checked my gas cap but, have not driven it around to see if it resets. Thanks once again so much for your wisdom! Love the turbo. A fuel mixture that is too rich, i.e. May I ask something? Any advice is appreciated. The car drives very well, there is no smell from the converter. Yes the PZEV uses a different Catalyst Configuration. Air bags. Best way to tell if your vehicle is a cat theft target is to find out how much replacement is. Also the Warranty is 8 years 80k on a converter are you over that mileage? I have changed both O2 sensors. What can I check next? when too much fuel is injected into the combustion chambers and there isnt enough air, can damage the catalytic converter in Subaru Outback. I have her note book of every repair and maintenence item recorded with all the receipts. If the temperature difference is higher than 10 degrees Celsius or 50 degrees Fahrenheit, then most likely the catalytic converter is clogged. Is this an indication of an oxygen sensor? 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