anothernord
07-04-2009, 05:02 PM
IMPORTANT UPDATE: It turns out that one spacer is not enough to stop the CEL from reoccuring. Just drill out the other spacer and install it too.
Credit for the original fix goes to Peaty of Scoobymods.
If you have an upgraded or aftermarket exhaust installed, you might get the P0420 CEL since the rear O2 sensor is seeing more flow and thinks something is wrong with the catalytic converter. By installing a rear O2 spacer, you can reduce the amount of flow the rear O2 gets, and stop the CEL.
Once again, I am not responsible for anything you do to harm anything or anyone.
Tools needed:
-22mm wrench (or 22mm open sided socket w/ breaker bar)
-1/2 inch drill bit
-1/4 inch drill bit (anything in this range will work; you just need to open up the second spacer for more flow)
-Drill (drill press would be way easier)
-Vice
-Jack/jackstands
Items/Materials:
-Help! Spark Plug Non-Fouler part # 42002 (#42009 works as well)
-PB blaster (if you can't get the sensor out)
-30 minutes (you'll never get this back)
1. Go and buy this. Most auto parts stores have them: (picture credit: Peaty of Scoobymods)
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2009/07/attachment-1.jpg
2. Get your 1/2 inch drill bit, and drill out ONE of the two spacers while it is held in a vice. This must be done so the sensor head can screw inside the spacer and have room around it to allow gasses to flow into the sensor. If your bit is dull you might have to drill successively larger holes up to 1/2 inch. A drill press would make this step a whole lot easier.
3. Take your second O2 spacer and drill it out just a little with a 1/4 bit or similar.
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2009/07/IMG_3394-1.jpg
4. Jack up your car, place it securely on jackstands, and chock the rear wheels.
5. Soak the rear O2 sensor in PB blaster. This is an optional step but it makes getting the sensor out a lot easier.
6. Using the 22mm wrench, unbolt the rear O2 sensor.
6. Now screw in your bored out spacers into the catalytic converter first, and tighten them down. Make sure the spacer that the 02 sensor will go into is on the top.
7. Thread and torque the sensor down into the spacers. The final result should look like this if you used one of the spacers (2 is recommended):
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2009/07/IMG_3388-1.jpg
8. Reset the ECU by pulling the negative battery cable, stepping on the brake, and then letting it sit for a while (20 mins usually works). If you still have the P0420 code, install the other spacer in between the cat and first spacer. If you get a P0139 instead from the 2nd spacer, it probably isn't getting enough flow, so drill out the hole in the second spacer as well.
Credit for the original fix goes to Peaty of Scoobymods.
If you have an upgraded or aftermarket exhaust installed, you might get the P0420 CEL since the rear O2 sensor is seeing more flow and thinks something is wrong with the catalytic converter. By installing a rear O2 spacer, you can reduce the amount of flow the rear O2 gets, and stop the CEL.
Once again, I am not responsible for anything you do to harm anything or anyone.
Tools needed:
-22mm wrench (or 22mm open sided socket w/ breaker bar)
-1/2 inch drill bit
-1/4 inch drill bit (anything in this range will work; you just need to open up the second spacer for more flow)
-Drill (drill press would be way easier)
-Vice
-Jack/jackstands
Items/Materials:
-Help! Spark Plug Non-Fouler part # 42002 (#42009 works as well)
-PB blaster (if you can't get the sensor out)
-30 minutes (you'll never get this back)
1. Go and buy this. Most auto parts stores have them: (picture credit: Peaty of Scoobymods)
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2009/07/attachment-1.jpg
2. Get your 1/2 inch drill bit, and drill out ONE of the two spacers while it is held in a vice. This must be done so the sensor head can screw inside the spacer and have room around it to allow gasses to flow into the sensor. If your bit is dull you might have to drill successively larger holes up to 1/2 inch. A drill press would make this step a whole lot easier.
3. Take your second O2 spacer and drill it out just a little with a 1/4 bit or similar.
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2009/07/IMG_3394-1.jpg
4. Jack up your car, place it securely on jackstands, and chock the rear wheels.
5. Soak the rear O2 sensor in PB blaster. This is an optional step but it makes getting the sensor out a lot easier.
6. Using the 22mm wrench, unbolt the rear O2 sensor.
6. Now screw in your bored out spacers into the catalytic converter first, and tighten them down. Make sure the spacer that the 02 sensor will go into is on the top.
7. Thread and torque the sensor down into the spacers. The final result should look like this if you used one of the spacers (2 is recommended):
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2009/07/IMG_3388-1.jpg
8. Reset the ECU by pulling the negative battery cable, stepping on the brake, and then letting it sit for a while (20 mins usually works). If you still have the P0420 code, install the other spacer in between the cat and first spacer. If you get a P0139 instead from the 2nd spacer, it probably isn't getting enough flow, so drill out the hole in the second spacer as well.