anyone have issues with their SES light coming on with Fast Intentions metallic HFC's? They're only about a year and half old

DTC: PO420- catalyst efficiency below threshold

 

Looks like its time for non-foulers

 

^ yea, I did think about that but 25k miles later the SES light decides to come on? ....Odd... I never had any issues before.

 

It happens, i had mine on for a few 1000 miles, then it just came on one day, deleted the code and it never came back on. When i put my Exhaust on it came on again. So just get some non-foulers and you're good to go!

 

hmmm...well at least I feel better. I had it cleared this morning when I got into work. I didnt want to go the non-fouler route but I guess I'll have to.

I thought only TP cause the check engine light to pop on....lol..

Shane, have you since installed the non-foulers? any issues after the fact?

btw, I know you can go to the hardware store and peice it together but is there a place where I can buy them outright?

 

you can buy them premade from me
https://g35driver.com/forums/exhaust...pipes-fix.html

 

lol @ 20 bucks, I made me a set when I had TPs and it cost me under 10 bucks.


but to the OP, Ive had on my FI HFCs for about 500 miles now and nothing yet. Just clear the code and see if it comes back.

Also check your O2 sensors and make sure everything is squared away. IE not loose, damaged etc etc.

 

The reason that this happens inconsistently is relative to the cats effeciency which is affected by a number of factors the most obvious being temperature. I will have to check on my 05, as I haven't really paid much attention to this aspect of it, but many modern cars utilize a smog-pump or EGR as a part of their emissions control. This is used on cold start to help the car meet emmisions regs. Keep in mind that I am coming from European cars and am basing this explanation on my experience with these cars as both an enthusiast and employ of one of the major players in performance tuning for VW/Audi and Porsche.

You are most apt to get a code relative to cat ineffeciency when the cat has not reached its normal opperating temperature quickly enough. A Catalyst uses cells (think of the internal make-up of a cat to be like a sponge) that scrubb the exhaust passing through it. This effectively removes any excessive emissions particles from the exhaust. Though the cells work to trap the "bad" particles that escape combustion they do this most effeciently when the cat is up to temperature.

Remember that modern vehicles have pre and post catalyst sensors which meter the difference in ppm of emissions gases before and after the catalyst. In order for you to throw a code relative to effeciency the cat is not doing its job as thuroughly as it should.

I would initiallu suggest clearing the code and see if the issue returns. If it doesn't then think of this as a fluke. If it does then it may be time to dig a little deeper. You may need a new 02 sensor (my experience indicates that secondaries are more apt to fail). Or you may need to have other parts of the emissions system checked for proper function.

Of course, you could always put an non-fouler in...but you may also be interested in knowing the cause of the problem and what needs to be done to fix it.