Catalytic converter & coolant probs

camogirl21 · #1 12-20-2011, 01:47 PM

Ok so my check engine light has been on for a month. I took it to autozone and it read off PO430 & PO420. In other words the efficiency bank is low, and the cc is defective due to engine misfire, vaccum leak, or oil leaking into exhaust. Also starting last night it will die every time I stop. Friend thinks its vaccum leak but not sure.

To top it all off I'm also leaking coolant. Replaced cap bc thats where leak was didn't help.

Throw in your opinions and stuff because I have no idea how to fix or find out the probs to either of these. Thanks

IronLion · #2 12-20-2011, 05:07 PM

Yah might wanna go get a compression test, if your seals are shot, itll leak oil into the cylinder, and cause misfires, ect. Which could also leak oil into your exhaust.
Had to replace my rings, and get both heads redone the other month, definitely sucked.

As for the vacuum leak, start by checking the lines, run along every vacuum line and check for breaks, cracks, ect.

Im not sure what to say about the coolant leak

Really hope you can fix it all! I know its a hell of alot of money to keep something that down runnin, good luck!

FireRanger · #3 12-20-2011, 05:13 PM

P0420 and P0430 report the catalytic system is not working the it's designed efficiency on banks 1 and 2 respectively. (Banks are the two sides of the V engine). This does not mean the CC is defective or anything else specific. Considering it is getting the same trouble from both banks, I find it highly unlikely that both cats are simultaneously bad. The running problem is causing the emissions problem. Fix the running problem and chances are the emissions problem will go away.