Catalytic Converter/P0171
12-24-2009, 05:21 PM
#1
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Join Date: 01-23-2009
Location: Fredericksburg,VA
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Catalytic Converter/P0171
So my 2008 HHR LT 2.2L, started throwing code P0171 Lean (check/clean MAF sensor) it clears itself a few times before I get around to dealing with it.
Then I start hearing an exhaust leak sound, sop I crawl around under the car and find that the flex area of the "front tube Catalytic Converter" assembly is split, END to END, not in the grooved area as expected.
I am guessing the lean reading is because the leak is between the O2 sensors.
Does anybody think I have any recourse on an out of warrantee vehicle? Do I really have to have a CatCon? It seems to be much cheaper to get a new header and down tube than the "cat with front tube" .
Then I start hearing an exhaust leak sound, sop I crawl around under the car and find that the flex area of the "front tube Catalytic Converter" assembly is split, END to END, not in the grooved area as expected.
I am guessing the lean reading is because the leak is between the O2 sensors.
Does anybody think I have any recourse on an out of warrantee vehicle? Do I really have to have a CatCon? It seems to be much cheaper to get a new header and down tube than the "cat with front tube" .
12-24-2009, 06:59 PM
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: 11-26-2009
Location: Salt Lake City
Posts: 126
So my 2008 HHR LT 2.2L, started throwing code P0171 Lean (check/clean MAF sensor) it clears itself a few times before I get around to dealing with it.
Then I start hearing an exhaust leak sound, sop I crawl around under the car and find that the flex area of the "front tube Catalytic Converter" assembly is split, END to END, not in the grooved area as expected.
I am guessing the lean reading is because the leak is between the O2 sensors.
Does anybody think I have any recourse on an out of warrantee vehicle? Do I really have to have a CatCon? It seems to be much cheaper to get a new header and down tube than the "cat with front tube" .
Then I start hearing an exhaust leak sound, sop I crawl around under the car and find that the flex area of the "front tube Catalytic Converter" assembly is split, END to END, not in the grooved area as expected.
I am guessing the lean reading is because the leak is between the O2 sensors.
Does anybody think I have any recourse on an out of warrantee vehicle? Do I really have to have a CatCon? It seems to be much cheaper to get a new header and down tube than the "cat with front tube" .
This will not cover maintenance items, but may cover certain parts. I leveraged this ruling on more than one occasion to get map sensors, ignition units and the like replaced for my customers at no charge.
If you converter has failed, then I'm quite certain that would be covered. If it's just the flex pipe, then maybe not.
I'll poke around and see if I can find any additional info on this and re-post later.
12-25-2009, 11:59 AM
#4
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Join Date: 01-23-2009
Location: Fredericksburg,VA
Posts: 25,326
Yeah, 92,000 miles. Does not seem to be the cat itself only the flex .
I have seen replacement headers with down pipes instead of cat, they do all state not legal in California, but I am in Virginia.
I have seen replacement headers with down pipes instead of cat, they do all state not legal in California, but I am in Virginia.
12-25-2009, 02:55 PM
#5
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Join Date: 01-23-2009
Location: Fredericksburg,VA
Posts: 25,326
This is really annoying, now any search I do for the parts points me to this thread. Well anway I have found a couple of replacement cat and front pipe, but they seem to end the listings at 2007. Does anybody know for sure if 2007 and 2008 are the same parts? I connot seem to get the internet to give up OEM part numbers.
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