Automotive Forums .com - the leading automotive community online! Automotive Forums .com - the leading automotive community online!
Automotive Forums .com - the leading automotive community online! 
-
Latest | 0 Rplys

Stop Feeding Overpriced Junk to Your Dogs!

GET HEALTHY AFFORDABLE DOG FOOD
DEVELOPED BY THE AUTOMOTIVEFORUMS.COM FOUNDER & THE TOP AMERICAN BULLDOG BREEDER IN THE WORLD THROUGH DECADES OF EXPERIENCE. WE KNOW DOGS.
CONSUMED BY HUNDREDS OF GRAND FUTURE AMERICAN BULLDOGS FOR YEARS.
NOW AVAILABLE TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC FOR THE FIRST TIME
PROPER NUTRITION FOR ALL BREEDS & AGES
TRY GRAND FUTURE AIR DRIED BEEF DOG FOOD
Go Back   Automotive Forums .com Car Chat > Chevrolet > Lumina
Register FAQ Community Arcade Calendar
Reply Show Printable Version Show Printable Version | Email this Page Email this Page | Subscription Subscribe to this Thread
 
Thread Tools
Old 06-24-2010, 12:45 AM   #1
ptcfast2
AF Newbie
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Goldsboro, North Carolina
Posts: 46
Thanks: 0
Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Unhappy Alright, I'm stumped on this one...help me guys!

I'll keep it short and simple

1998 Lumina w/ 3.1L V6 has 221,000 miles. It threw a P0420 (at idle according to the freeze frame data) about 10 minutes after I really pushed the car hard tonight. The only thing new in the past 48 hours is some Chevron fuel system cleaner was put in the tank (first time with this brand). The type of "potent" fuel system cleaner has never been used on this car (its had other cleaners like Lucas or Seafoam).

The catalytic converter is only 4 months old, and the oxygen sensors were replaced around the same time as well. After the code was thrown I checked the O2 sensors for basic performance. The pre-cat 02 sensor is functioning normally (adjusting as intended) and the post-cat sensor stays steady. No misfires, no hesitation, and car runs fine. The car passed emissions inspection at the end of May.

Anyone have any ideas (or dealt with this code before)?

Last edited by ptcfast2; 06-24-2010 at 11:02 AM.
ptcfast2 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-24-2010, 10:41 AM   #2
Airjer_
AF Enthusiast
 
Airjer_'s Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Twin Cities, Minnesota
Posts: 2,383
Thanks: 0
Thanked 7 Times in 7 Posts
Re: Alright, I'm stumped on this one...help me guys!

What year and what motor?

Whats the post cat voltage?
__________________
Airjer_ is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-24-2010, 10:54 AM   #3
ptcfast2
AF Newbie
Thread starter
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Goldsboro, North Carolina
Posts: 46
Thanks: 0
Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Re: Alright, I'm stumped on this one...help me guys!

Quote:
Originally Posted by Airjer_ View Post
What year and what motor?

Whats the post cat voltage?
Sorry I omitted the car year/engine info...posted this late last night: 1998 3.1L V6

Post cat voltage is around 0.1-0.2 at idle and stays there. Jumps up to 0.3 at times when cursing around but stays steady. The pre cat voltage is between normally 0.7-0.8 but I've seen it dip down to 0.3 when driving.
ptcfast2 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-24-2010, 02:23 PM   #4
Airjer_
AF Enthusiast
 
Airjer_'s Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Twin Cities, Minnesota
Posts: 2,383
Thanks: 0
Thanked 7 Times in 7 Posts
Re: Alright, I'm stumped on this one...help me guys!

Here's what I would do. Run that tank of fuel down as far as you feel comfortable. Fill it back up, clear the code and see if it returns. If it doesn't than it was probably the fuel system cleaner. If it does than you can check into it a little further.

Cats on those years are fairly common to fail especial in tired engine (burning oil).
__________________
Airjer_ is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-25-2010, 12:12 AM   #5
Ruley73
AF Enthusiast
 
Ruley73's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Posts: 568
Thanks: 0
Thanked 31 Times in 30 Posts
Re: Alright, I'm stumped on this one...help me guys!

Check for any exhaust leaks near the O2 sensor. This can lower the O2 sensor's output voltage since it uses oxygen in the air around the outer shell to create the voltage. Obviously, exhaust gas contains far less oxygen than the atmosphere and less oxygen in the air = less output voltage produced by O2 sensor.
__________________
My rides:
2007 Chevy Equinox LT FWD
2018 Chrysler Pacifica Touring L

"If women don't find you handsome, they should at least find you handy!"
- Steve Smith (Red)
Ruley73 is offline   Reply With Quote
 
Reply

POST REPLY TO THIS THREAD

Go Back   Automotive Forums .com Car Chat > Chevrolet > Lumina


Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 02:38 PM.

Community Participation Guidelines | How to use your User Control Panel

Powered by: vBulletin | Copyright Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
 
 
no new posts