topic Re: Call all car guys (or gals, or martians) in SmorgasBoard

Call all car guys (or gals, or martians)

MakingProgress — Sun, 28 Nov 2021 21:30:31 GMT

I have a car question.

I have a 2015 Chevy Sonic with just under 49K miles that is used to drive back and forth to work, and a few errands.

I had a check engine light indicating catalytic converter in 2018 at about 22K. The catalytic converter was replaced under the emissions warranty.

I had the same thing done last month.

I am concerned that simply replacing the converter is treating the symptom and not the cause.

Why would I need to replace a catalytic converter approx ever 3 years?

Re: Call all car guys (or gals, or martians)

tcbofade — Sun, 28 Nov 2021 21:57:17 GMT

A poor design.

I don't want to be unkind, but it's a cheap car with cheap parts.

Plan to replace it again in three years, or plan to replace the car before that.

Re: Call all car guys (or gals, or martians)

Brian_Earl_Spilner — Sun, 28 Nov 2021 22:10:30 GMT

The 13-14 model had a recall for bad cats so it's possible they haven't fixed the issue. There's also the chance that it's really a bad O2 sensor, the one behind the cat specifically. The last, least probable cause, would be there's something wrong with the engine whether it's timing, fuel, spark, etc.

Re: Call all car guys (or gals, or martians)

MakingProgress — Mon, 29 Nov 2021 14:58:03 GMT

@Brian_Earl_Spilner wrote:
The 13-14 model had a recall for bad cats so it's possible they haven't fixed the issue. There's also the chance that it's really a bad O2 sensor, the one behind the cat specifically. The last, least probable cause, would be there's something wrong with the engine whether it's timing, fuel, spark, etc.

@Brian_Earl_Spilner

Would it worth having someone I trust look at it now? Rather than waiting for the check engine light to come on in 3 years. Is it likely the cause could be found now?

Re: Call all car guys (or gals, or martians)

MakingProgress — Mon, 29 Nov 2021 15:01:40 GMT

@tcbofade wrote:
A poor design.

I don't want to be unkind, but it's a cheap car with cheap parts.

Plan to replace it again in three years, or plan to replace the car before that.

I agree cheap car. That was the whole point of this car, I wanted to spend as little as possible as I wouldn't be putting many miles on it. The plan is to drive it into the ground and see how close I am to retirement at the time. Hopefully it will make it to retirement but if not plan on buying a used car that will last me the last couple of years I will be working. At that point DW and I can go down to one car.

Re: Call all car guys (or gals, or martians)

Brian_Earl_Spilner — Mon, 29 Nov 2021 15:11:19 GMT

@MakingProgress wrote:
@Brian_Earl_Spilner wrote:
The 13-14 model had a recall for bad cats so it's possible they haven't fixed the issue. There's also the chance that it's really a bad O2 sensor, the one behind the cat specifically. The last, least probable cause, would be there's something wrong with the engine whether it's timing, fuel, spark, etc.
@Brian_Earl_Spilner

Would it worth having someone I trust look at it now? Rather than waiting for the check engine light to come on in 3 years. Is it likely the cause could be found now?

I would actually start by checking for recalls and looking online to see how prevalent the issue is, if it is at all. Something like "2015 chevy Sonic catalytic problems". Then I would check to see if they replaced the O2 sensors along with the cat. If they did and it's an emissions issue, you really won't be able to troubleshoot down to the problem. If they didn't, it's definitely either the cat or an engine issue. At that point having your engine checked and tuned will only benefit you regardless of it being the problem or not.

Re: Call all car guys (or gals, or martians)

GApeachy — Mon, 29 Nov 2021 15:19:36 GMT

@MakingProgress wrote:
Why would I need to replace a catalytic converter approx ever 3 years?

Do you know if it was an OEM or an Aftermarket replacement? Do you remember the cost of the converter (not including labor)?

Re: Call all car guys (or gals, or martians)

GApeachy — Mon, 29 Nov 2021 15:31:52 GMT

@MakingProgress wrote:
@Brian_Earl_Spilner wrote:
The 13-14 model had a recall for bad cats so it's possible they haven't fixed the issue. There's also the chance that it's really a bad O2 sensor, the one behind the cat specifically. The last, least probable cause, would be there's something wrong with the engine whether it's timing, fuel, spark, etc.
@Brian_Earl_Spilner

Would it worth having someone I trust look at it now? Rather than waiting for the check engine light to come on in 3 years. Is it likely the cause could be found now?

See if this trusted person would pull codes... or stop by an autoparts store that has that ability and willingness to do so right there in the parking lot. Another thing too is to look through your paperwork and see what warranty comes with the replacement converter. A higher end, more reliable replacement such as OEM or a higher end Aftermarket will provide a better warranty eg. 5 yrs/50k miles or there about.

Re: Call all car guys (or gals, or martians)

MakingProgress — Tue, 30 Nov 2021 00:47:29 GMT

@GApeachy wrote:
@MakingProgress wrote:
@Brian_Earl_Spilner wrote:
The 13-14 model had a recall for bad cats so it's possible they haven't fixed the issue. There's also the chance that it's really a bad O2 sensor, the one behind the cat specifically. The last, least probable cause, would be there's something wrong with the engine whether it's timing, fuel, spark, etc.
@Brian_Earl_Spilner

Would it worth having someone I trust look at it now? Rather than waiting for the check engine light to come on in 3 years. Is it likely the cause could be found now?
See if this trusted person would pull codes... or stop by an autoparts store that has that ability and willingness to do so right there in the parking lot. Another thing too is to look through your paperwork and see what warranty comes with the replacement converter. A higher end, more reliable replacement such as OEM or a higher end Aftermarket will provide a better warranty eg. 5 yrs/50k miles or there about.

Should be OEM parts, as it was replaced by the dealer as part of the 8 yr / 80000 mile extended emissions warranty that came with the car.

Re: Call all car guys (or gals, or martians)

ptatohed — Wed, 01 Dec 2021 07:14:37 GMT

@MakingProgress wrote:
I have a car question.

I have a 2015 Chevy Sonic with just under 49K miles that is used to drive back and forth to work, and a few errands.

I had a check engine light indicating catalytic converter in 2018 at about 22K. The catalytic converter was replaced under the emissions warranty.

I had the same thing done last month.

I am concerned that simply replacing the converter is treating the symptom and not the cause.

Why would I need to replace a catalytic converter approx ever 3 years?

Please tell us the exact code(s) you are getting.

Re: Call all car guys (or gals, or martians)

MakingProgress — Wed, 01 Dec 2021 07:16:32 GMT

@ptatohed wrote:
@MakingProgress wrote:
I have a car question.

I have a 2015 Chevy Sonic with just under 49K miles that is used to drive back and forth to work, and a few errands.

I had a check engine light indicating catalytic converter in 2018 at about 22K. The catalytic converter was replaced under the emissions warranty.

I had the same thing done last month.

I am concerned that simply replacing the converter is treating the symptom and not the cause.

Why would I need to replace a catalytic converter approx ever 3 years?
Please tell us the exact code(s) you are getting.

Code was P0420. I can't find any recalls or specific issues related to 2015 Sonic's, but as Brian mentioned there seemed to be issues with earlier years.

Re: Call all car guys (or gals, or martians)

FireMedic1 — Wed, 01 Dec 2021 13:51:28 GMT

Chevy offers both Federal and California Emissions Control System Warranties. For cars and light-duty trucks, the warranty is eight years or 80,000 miles for the catalytic converter and other parts. Too much un-burned fuel and heat is getting into the converter and frying it. As Brian said. Vehicles do have a O2 sensors. It may be bad and telling the engine to pump more fuel which is frying the converter. Or running rich as us older folks used to say knowing the ole carburetor days. You could smell it. Phew! Too rich and the catalyst can melt down from fuel burning inside the converter.

From the last recall:

On some vehicles, cracking of ceramic components internal to the catalytic converter may occur as a result of higher than anticipated exhaust temperatures. If this occurs, the catalytic converter low efficiency diagnostic will set and the malfunction indicator lamp will illuminate. Correction: Dealers are to reprogram the engine control module with calibrations that prevent higher than expected exhaust temperatures.

Re: Call all car guys (or gals, or martians)

Anonymous — Wed, 08 Dec 2021 12:09:17 GMT

Not what I expected to see on this forum but I can help regardless. Do you have the actual code for the fault ? It will start with a P and have 4 numbers. What state was the car sold in? Post it and if there is other information to go along with it IE any performance issue or anything out of the ordinary. I can give you a direction to proceed between a few different causes and how to troubleshoot and eliminate them until left with the one that is the your problem. The code only gives you a direction to look is often not related to the description for the code. Example a trouble code for an O2 sensor is almost always not the O2 sensor. It's usually something that is upstream from it causing the fault.

Re: Call all car guys (or gals, or martians)

ptatohed — Wed, 08 Dec 2021 16:17:02 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
Not what I expected to see on this forum but I can help regardless. Do you have the actual code for the fault ? It will start with a P and have 4 numbers. What state was the car sold in? Post it and if there is other information to go along with it IE any performance issue or anything out of the ordinary. I can give you a direction to proceed between a few different causes and how to troubleshoot and eliminate them until left with the one that is the your problem. The code only gives you a direction to look is often not related to the description for the code. Example a trouble code for an O2 sensor is almost always not the O2 sensor. It's usually something that is upstream from it causing the fault.

Two posts above yours. P0420.

Re: Call all car guys (or gals, or martians)

NoMoreE46 — Tue, 21 Dec 2021 00:15:48 GMT

When the car is driven, is it short trips like under 5 miles?

Re: Call all car guys (or gals, or martians)

Lou-natic — Wed, 12 Jan 2022 01:33:11 GMT

I'd do the O2 sensors, make sure the ECU had the latest tune from GM flashed into it, have the MAF cleaned, the MAP sensor replaced and probably have the plugs replaced too. If the catalyst still fails...ehhhhhh I have a laptop loaded with the software needed to make the problem "go away". But I am "that guy" and I don't care.

Re: Call all car guys (or gals, or martians)

Turbobuick — Fri, 14 Jan 2022 20:26:29 GMT

You can buy extended o2 sensor(s) that are less sensitive post cat.