MegaSack DRAW - This year's winner is user - rgwb
We will be in touch
Just hoping to get some advice on some car related troubles.
Quick background - I have an old (2006) Toyota Yaris that's used as a run around, done about 100,000 miles.
Exhaust on it went about 3 months ago, took it to the local garage who welded it for £20.
It then developed a hole about a month later and so took it to a different garage who said it needed replacing, whilst it was in the garage they discovered the coil spring and shock also needed doing. Annoying but these things happen with cars I guess.
Anyway shortly after I got the car back the engine management light came on, so I contacted the garage who said to bring it in. They checked the fault code and cleared it, saying it was a fault with the exhaust/catalytic converter.
The EML came back on again 50 miles later, so again took it back to the garage who charged £75 to flush the catalytic converter out, but unfortunately the light has just come back on another 50 miles later.
Admittedly I don't know a lot about cars, but I'm reluctant to keep spending money on this car, I've already spent more than it cost to begin with! It also seems a bit of a coincidence that the EML has started to come on since they changed the exhaust, but I know sensors can be tempremental.
So my questions are:
Should I be paying the £75 for the cat flush when it doesn't seem to have made any difference (may have needed doing anyway?)
Obviously I can't prove that the garage did anything to cause the EML to come on, but they may have knocked a sensor, or it could be pure coincidence. But should I be pushing for them to correct it for free?
Should I just give up, buy a cheap code reader and clear the fault before it's MOT to get it through, since it seems to take about 50 miles before it comes back on?
Garage seem fine to be fair, but before I get back in touch with them I just want to know what I should be asking for/what my rights are in this situation. I'm keen to not keep spending money on the problem!
Any advice gratefully received!
Should I just give up, buy a cheap code reader and clear the fault before it’s MOT to get it through, since it seems to take about 50 miles before it comes back on?
I would get a cheap code reader to find out what the fault is, as it may be entirely unrelated to the work the garage did.
If it's related to work they did, then ask them about it.
My guess would be if the exhaust had a hole in it, effectively bypassing the cat, that might mean that fixing the exhaust could reveal issues with the cat.
So in three months you've spent about £20 + £90 + some suspension parts? Sounds like good value motoring. Yes, it's more expensive than not having to do those things, but what is the alternative?
My guess would be if the exhaust had a hole in it, effectively bypassing the cat, that might mean that fixing the exhaust could reveal issues with the cat
Ah yes, I suppose it could be that. They replaced the centre exhaust according to the invoice, I assumed that meant the portion after the cat, as that was where the original failure was.
Agree that spending money is part of having a car, it's cost about £500 so far, but if it needs doing then fair enough! But just wanted feedback from those with more knowledge of if the garage could of caused the fault, but maybe not if it's a fault with the cat.
If its the original Cat then it could be failing. The work to the rest of the exhaust might just be coincidental or it might just have nudged it over the edge.
A code reader is a good option. Bottom line if you are spending less than say £600 a year to keep it running that is probably worth doing. Its £50 a month and you know the issues with that car. You could buy a new banger for £600 and its a roll of the dice, could be worse issues could be the same or none - you just don't know. It's all part of the thrill of Bangernomics.
The EML coming on is pretty standard with Toyotas of that age. It's just a dodgy sensor. On my Avensis it came on after about 100miles, my partners Corrolla was about 30 miles. I just bought a cheap code reader and just cleared the code before the MOT, the cars always sailed through the emissions test and then the light came on for the rest of the year.
My car ran like that for 7 years, my partners for 5 years.
As per Jakester - get a cheap code reader - they're not tricky to use and they can help get a better idea of what the problem might be.
I dont think the cat will be throwing the error (due to the original welding) - I'd guess it would be the down stream oxygen (lambda) sensor failing or reporting the emissions are out of acceptable range.
Having performed with this circus, this might be:
Overfilled with oil.
Crankcase breather system blocked.
One or more of lambda sensors failing (this is a cracker as it can be sending the emission closed loop berserk in an attempt to "fix" a non existent emissions issue.)
One or more of the cats dying.
Leaks on the inlet/air intake side.
Contaminated throttle body allowing incorrectly metered air in.
Leaks on on the exhaust side (pre either cat).
Incompatible fixing goo used on pre cat exhaust parts.
Then you've got EGR valves failing, possible modifications to inlet/emissions systems without readaptation for the ECU, basic electrical issues....
Or some punch/kick combo of the above.
The basic issue is that the busted component rarely explodes with flames and smoke, and in doing so, revealing itself.
It's often the simplest thing, though.
Good luck.
Itll either be a shagged cat or an o2 sensor.
I'd buy a 10quid obd tool and check.
I'd then ignore it till mot time and then clear the code for test.
Thanks for all the advice guys, seems like getting a fault code reader is the way to go. I'll pick one up tonight and see what faults it's bringing up - may be back here for more advice!
If I have to clear the fault once a year before the MOT then I can live with that 🙂
I'll put £2 on fault code P0420 😉
I’ll put £2 on fault code P0420
Haha yep, you are correct! Where should I send the £2!?
I guess if I take it back to the garage they are just going to suggest replacing the cat next since the flush out didn't fix the problem?
Yeah probably. After market cats are toss btw
I'd possibly ask to bang it on the emissions tester just to see if it's still in spec.