Exhaust emissions light - codes showing catalytic converter

K

kraichura

New member
Hi all,

Just joined the forum having seen a lot of similar threads already. I've got a 2007 2.0 E85.

Had a bit of noise from the exhaust for a couple of weeks and the exhaust emissions light came on a couple of days ago. Took it to an indy today. They're saying there are two problems. First they can solve the rattling quite easily and part is on the way, that's easy enough.

Second though, the guy said a catalytic converter has gone. The only place he can source it is from BMW and I'd be looking at £800-850. Ouch!

Does anyone have any idea/suggestions for how best to proceed without ideally getting stung for a grand (once work is added on top) for the catalytic issue? Seems as though they can get the iight off for now...
 
Pretty guaranteed it's not the cat, it's a mis-match between the O2 sensors infront of and behind the cat itself. Just get yourself a OBD II code reader off EBay for £30-40, read the error code, note it and cancel to get rid of the light. My car used to do this whenever I stuck Sainsbury's fuel in and it doesn't do it when I use a branded fuel like Shell, Esso, BP etc.

The usual scenario here is that to start with replacing one or both of the O2 sensors ( £300-£400) and then when that doesn't solve it, tell you through sucking teeth that the cat is shot and urge you to replace it usually for a grand. Some even then go on to recommend replacing the manifold etc, so before you know it you've blown about £4k for nothing; don't get caught by their lies, buy a reader as it's useful to have and save your money.
 
Hi and welcome to the forum. The rattle could possibly be the cat, but if the mech say's he has ordered the part, possibly an exhaust bracket that has broken, then how could he be certain that the cat has definitely bit the dust. Has he emission tested it, or is he just going with what the obd reader is telling him?

I occasionally and, glad to say rarely have the emissions light come up on mine also. The obd scanner says "catalyst below threshold" i had my indie emission test mine the first time and it passed the test easily.

Now when on the odd occasion it pops up (the last time this happened was when i had drove spiritedly for @100 miles then got stuck in standing traffic for @1 hour) All i do is turn the light out using my scanner and all is well.

This was over 1500 miles ago.
 
my eml light came on once after I let my son drive, he kept putting to much gas on without changing down, this overwhelmed the pre cat sensor, i plugging in my scanner and got the cat fault, i cleard the fault code, it has never come back on. :thumbsup:
 
Hi all,

Thanks very much for your replies. I know at the end of the day it's only money, but was pretty stressed out yesterday after hearing what the garage said. Especially with a cpl of other bits on top they say need doing. Feeling much better now

Hopefully as you say the light won't come back. Sounds like I should get myself on eBay.
 
Yes mate, get yourself an obd 2 reader. It will save you a fair few beer tokens at the end of the day, while giving you a fair idea of why fault lights have come on (hopefully they wont for you)

But it is well worth having one. (carry mine in the boot) :thumbsup:
 
one more bit of advice, if you get one, before you delete any faults make a note of the fault code and the date, that way your local indi or stealer will find this useful if you get a persistent fault,
 
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