P0430 Code / Cat Converter

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ntsaint

ntsaint

Don't Assume I Know The Basics...
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100 threw up the CEL today on the way into work, the VSC Off light on the dash lit up as well.

Dropped it at dealer, they just called me back, and are saying that it's throwing code P0430, and the the catalytic converter's clogged, truck isn't breathing properly, don't recommend driving it until fixed, etc etc etc.

They want $1700 for the parts, $300 for labor.

Is this nuts? Cuz it sounds nuts to me...
 
Just say thanks for the code, go grab some new mid pipes, and do it yourself! Bam, you just saved yourself $1500.
 
That's a personal choice, and as per the cats that depends on your local state laws and even more locally: your emissions tester. If they do a visual check you'll fail and need cats, otherwise I believe you'll pass. I personally wouldn't go with resonators but that's because I don't care about noise level and would rather have the performance.
 
No emissions testing here, so that's not a concern.

I am an engine novice (read: idiot). But if I don't need cats at all, will just resetting the code and continuing to drive cause any damage?
 
Most likely, because not having cats is different than running with clogged cats. That's the difference between having air flowing freer than stock and less free than stock. So yes, you probably need to change out your cats or just swap the mid pipes (I suggest the latter, this is a great excuse)
 
FlammableFishie said:
Most likely, because not having cats is different than running with clogged cats. That's the difference between having air flowing freer than stock and less free than stock. So yes, you probably need to change out your cats or just swap the mid pipes (I suggest the latter, this is a great excuse)
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Thanks.

I'm gonna go ahead and get the cats in the pipes. Do the dual cats do anything for me over the single?

Sent from my iPhone using IH8MUD, and hopefully approved by the NSA.
 
ntsaint said:
Do the dual cats do anything for me over the single?
Click to expand...

Noooo idea! That's a question to ask somebody who is more of an expert. I'm not exactly sure whether that means 2 cats per side or 2 cats overall. If it's overall then I would go for 2, otherwise I would want 1 per side.
 
I have the EMS midpipes with one catalytic converter per side and I am very happy with them. We do not have emissions testing where I live, but I got one cat per side to make sure that the new pipes would not result in a check engine light, and to keep the neighborhood from smelling like unburned gas when I let my truck warm-up in the driveway in the winter.

Using the EMS pipes with one cat per side improved the performance of the engine and eliminated the obnoxious rattling from the heat shields on the factory cats.

I have not had any problems with check engine light since installing the EMS pipes. They are a great product and I recommend them with one cat per pipe.

The cats that EMS uses are canamex "bullet" ceramic core cats and they are smaller than the toyota factory cats. In terms of functionality, I think one cat per side is all you need.

From the factory, the landcruiser came with two (different) catalytic converters in each pipe. I think the reason that EMS offers the option of "two cats per side" is so that the vehicle can pass a visual inspection if the inspector is looking for two cats per side. I cannot imagine that having 2 cats per side would increase performance, or decrease emissions substantially, relative to having one cat per side.

In summary, I recommend getting the EMS midpipes with one catalytic converter per side. The midpipes are high-quality and they fit perfect.

I would however clear the code first and see if it comes back before spending the money on the EMS midpipes. It is possible that the code is a result of a dodgy rear O2 sensor or a weird one-time event. If the engine runs fine and the CEL stays off, then I would not worry about it.

How many miles are on your cruiser and what do you use it for? It seems kind of early for the cats to be clogging up on a 2006 LC, unless you use it for lots of short trips in cold temperatures, or unless you got saltwater back up in the exhaust all the way to the cats...

Hope this helps.
 
Thanks guys for all the info.

To answer, my '06 has 115k miles on it, and 90% of the mileage I have put on it since acquiring it at 60k is short, <10 mile trips to and from work at 40mph or less. Rarely is it cold, mostly hot as hell...

I did just buy a scan guage and reset the code, and the CEL light went off.

I'm assuming if the cats are really clogged, and it's not just a freak event, the truck with throw the code again soon? Plan on driving this truck for a very long time and don't want to risk any damage...
 
ntsaint said:
I'm assuming if the cats are really clogged, and it's not just a freak event, the truck with throw the code again soon? Plan on driving this truck for a very long time and don't want to risk any damage...
Click to expand...

The P0430 means only that too much oxygen was hitting the rear oxygen sensor (the sensor located after the cat). The assumption is that the oxygen should get used up in the catalytic converter if the catalyst is functioning properly.

If the catalyst is covered with gunk, then that could give you the code. A bad rear O2 sensor could also give you the code.

Inversely, the cats could be clogged and you might not get any code.

Does the engine run okay?
Does it idle smoothly when it is hot?
Does it accelerate from idle without hesitation when it is hot?

If the answers to the above questions are "yes" and the light stays off, then I wouldn't worry too much about the factory cats causing damage.

If the cats are clogged you would probably get rough idle and hesitation off the line when the cats are hot.

If it seems to be running okay, the only real danger is that the clogged cat could potentially get very hot; if the engine for some reason dumps a lot of unburned fuel into the clogged cat, it could catch things on fire, but that is unlikely.

I would drive it for a while and see if the code comes back. If no code and the truck is running fine, then I wouldn't worry about it.

That said, the EMS midpipes are nice...
 
Truck seems to be running fine at this point, but looking back over the past few weeks, mileage has gone down, and it seems sluggish. I had just chalked this up to the 100 degree heat we've been having.

I'm going to give it a while, see what happens.
 
If it seems sluggish and you are getting poor fuel economy, then the dealer was probably right when they said your cats are clogged and the engine is not breathing properly.

You should replace the factory cats with the midpipes from EMS when you get a chance.

If the truck runs and drives and you are not getting a check engine light, then I don't think you'll damage anything by driving it like that for a while.
 
I did take it for a long drive after work today. Something is def not right. It's sluggish, and there is a notable stutter during acceleration through all gears... O2 sensor wouldn't cause this, right?

Sent from my iPhone using IH8MUD, and hopefully approved by the NSA.
 
Doesn't sound like a sensor issue to me.
 
A bad O2 sensor would give you a check engine light.

A stuffed up exhaust would give the symptoms you describe, and may or may not result in a check engine light.

Based on the information provided, it sounds like the dealers diagnosis is legit and you have an obstruction in the exhaust, probably the catalytic converters.

You can order a new pair of midpipes from EMS with a single catalytic converter in each bank for about $500 total. It will take you one day to put them on,- this approach would result in performance gains and would save you a lot of money over paying the dealer to replace the catalytic converters.

The genuine Toyota catalytic cats are outrageously expensive, and apparently they don't last all that long anyhow. I have been happy with the EMS replacements.

One thing to check: the factory warranty on emissions components is 7 years from original date of purchase; is it possible that the dealer would warranty your cats and replace with the Toyota parts for free?

Hope this helps.
 
marshotel said:
A bad O2 sensor would give you a check engine light.

A stuffed up exhaust would give the symptoms you describe, and may or may not result in a check engine light.

Based on the information provided, it sounds like the dealers diagnosis is legit and you have an obstruction in the exhaust, probably the catalytic converters.

You can order a new pair of midpipes from EMS with a single catalytic converter in each bank for about $500 total. It will take you one day to put them on,- this approach would result in performance gains and would save you a lot of money over paying the dealer to replace the catalytic converters.

The genuine Toyota catalytic cats are outrageously expensive, and apparently they don't last all that long anyhow. I have been happy with the EMS replacements.

One thing to check: the factory warranty on emissions components is 7 years from original date of purchase; is it possible that the dealer would warranty your cats and replace with the Toyota parts for free?

Hope this helps.
Click to expand...

Thanks, I'm leaning toward the EMS solution for sure.

I'm 8 years from original purchase date...of course.
 
Would like a quick opinion or two if possible?

I have to drive about 50 miles each way tomorrow, towing my Polaris Ranger on a small trailer.

Code was cleared and hasn't come back on, but I still haven't received my EMS midpipes (to replace my supposedly clogged cats).

Since it threw the code I haven't driven the truck more than 15 mins or so at a time. Wondering what the consensus is on whether or not a longer drive could do any damage to the motor (if the cats are in fact clogged)?
 
My opinion is: if it runs okay and it is not throwing any codes, then it should be fine to drive.



From the information provided, what I would do is clean the MAF and then drive it.






Obviously, I accept no responsibility for any damage that may result to your truck.


If it is really sluggish and sputtering, or running very rich due to backpressure, and dumping unburned fuel onto the already clogged cats, then stop before something catches on fire. You will know this is happening if you step on the gas and the engine just makes a chugging noise and the truck does not accelerate.

Otherwise, I don't think you will damage anything by driving 100 mi round trip, but I could be wrong.

Hope others chime in here.

Sorry my answer is not more conclusive. :confused:
 
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