Emissions Problem - Failed Smog

You have Android or Apple? I have android and bought this one.

for Android Phones ONLY - Wireless Bluetooth Diagnostic OBD2 Scanner Car Code Reader and Scan Tool for All 1996 & Newer Vehicles ELM327 Compatible OBDII

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B005NLQAHS/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o06_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

It requires a $5 app from the playstore. I bought one called "Torque". It's the most popular and you won't have any trouble finding it.

I think you're going to need one, vs borrow. I've probably checked mine ten times and I can't imagine trying to borrow or rent one.

 

Thanks for sharing your story, it is helpful. That is the situation I thought I was in before I started thinking about my past inspections and googling around. If that is the end situation, I'll think about the magnaflows. I just don't want to replace them just yet, and still don't pass because it's not the true issue. Or unnecessarily replace them for $600 if not needed.

Are you a Tool fan, eon blue?

 

Apple 5s

 

I edited the post above with more details. You'll have to find something similar that works with Apple. The one I bought only works on Android.

 

haha yeah, that's where my username comes from. I saw them about a year ago in San Bernardino at the outdoor festival (forget what it was called). Been a fan for many years now.

I'm at work so I kind of skimmed the original post but is there any particular reason you don't know for sure it's the cats? I do know that P0420 can be tricky because it can also mean other issues with the exhaust or sensors, which is why when I saw that code I immediately just took it into Toyota to have them diagnose because I wanted to be sure what the cause of it was. I also wasn't too surprised to hear that it was my cats, my truck had a pretty bad lean condition for awhile with the supercharger not being properly set up so I think that burned out my cats prematurely (they only had about 55k miles on them). Assuming everything else is in good shape, the cats should last a long time...esp OEM ones.

 

This one works with Apple:

ATDIAG OBD2 Scanner, Car Engine Code Reader Automotive Diagnostic Tool Scanner Monitor Auto Fault Code Scan Tool with Live Data (Black)

https://smile.amazon.com/ATDIAG-Wir...526403275&sr=8-5&keywords=obdii+scanner+apple

 

+1 on the Torque app, it's a great way to monitor readings from your ECU.

 

Well, I'm thinking it could be the sensors, I need to complete a drive cycle, or even my K&N throwing something off, or maybe the tech didn't apply the CARB code for the K&N into the computer.

Also, my exhaust smells a bit rich, maybe that could be it too.

Bottom line, I don't trust the shop to just pull a P0420 code and immediately tell me I should replace both cats through them...

THanks for asking...

 

Just to clarify, will this show me any codes thrown or just give me info on the OBDII?

 

Mine does all that plus some other entertaining things, like 0-60 times, true coolant temp, etc. I looked briefly at that one, it appears to be everything you need, but I noticed they are offering two models, one for $18 the other $30. Not sure of the difference and I don't have any experience with it.

 

So now I'm thinking, how would replacing the cats pass you immediately....you would still have to complete the drive cycle, yes?

 

Torque app will show you any CEL codes you have, pending or full blown codes, and you can clear them with the App. It'll also give you information on what the code is and how to troubleshoot it if you want. You can also monitor things like engine temp, trans temp, exhaust and catalyst readings, sensor readings, fuel trims, etc. It's a great app.

My only issue with it is that it drains my phone's battery something fierce, but just keep it plugged in and it should be fine.

 

You're exactly right! I'm not throwing any codes and my CEL does indeed work. I'm stuck trying to get cycles to complete. My very first post to you mentioned I believe you have two separate issues.

 

interesting, I hadn't thought of that when I had this issue...but I got my cats replaced about a month before I went in to get smog tested so maybe that time frame helped. All I know is that after replacing the cats, the P0420 went away and has been gone ever since (about 8 months now). I had the code for awhile before I did anything about it, at first I had no symptoms other than the code but after a few months my truck starting having symptoms of a bad cat as well (lack of performance mostly...poor acceleration and struggle to maintain power).

 

Though I'm not throwing codes, I'm beginning to believe I have bad CAT(s) too as my exhaust note doesn't sound right, neither is my performance what I think it should be. But I have a problem, I bought this truck five months ago and have no experience to compare it to. Owned several Toyota trucks, but this is my first 3.4.

 

Typically if a cat is bad enough to affect your truck's performance, I imagine it would throw the code...I mean mine threw the code well before I could actually notice anything was wrong, which is the case for most people that get a P0420 code. That's why you always hear of people saying 'just ignore that code' when they live in a non-emissions state; because you can typically go so long with it before it starts to actually affect your truck's performance.

Do you have any aftermarket components to your exhaust that might be giving it a different sound? Maybe a crack or leak in the exhaust somewhere after the cats...if it was before the cats it would likely trigger a code.

 

Seems like the tail pipe test is actually more accurate than this lateral code sequence drive cycle thing.

 

My powertrain is stock. I think I hear hissing, like a clogged cat, but I can't be sure because of my lack of experience with this motor.

 

This article has some good tips on how to check your cats without a shop's help...

https://shop.advanceautoparts.com/r/diagnose-a-broken-catalytic-converter

They mention smelling sulfur...a few months before mine threw the code, I would occasionally smell something awful in my truck for a minute or two that smelled like bad eggs or sometimes like a skunk. Makes sense now in hindsight.

 

That's the thing for me.....no performance issues at all, truck runs great. And I've owned this truck for 15 years, and taken good care of it since.

I am curious tho if I replaced the K&N with OEM, if I would have more power...but that's a separate issue.