Code P0420

SDOWN

MEMBER
2007 TOYOTA CAMRY
2.4L
4 CYL
AUTOMATIC
150,000 MILES

I had one of the Camry's that had the oil consumption problem to the point where it burned a quart of oil in under two hundred miles. Toyota fixed it at around 144,000 miles and the spark plugs were replaced and fouled many times. This p0420 code has come on and off with misfire codes prior to the piston ring repair, but now it is only p0420. I tried the temperature test and the top came up about a hundred to hundred fifty degree higher difference from the bottom, but my newer Camry had similar results. On the scanner tool, 02 sensor one says the volts are around 3.200 up and down. 02 #2 takes a while but fluctuates around.4 area. On my newer Camry, same for #1, #2 did not go above.000. I really hate to buy a catalytic converter for $400.00 (plus) if it is a sensor. Any ideas before I go nuts and end up taking it somewhere instead of fixing it myself?

4 Replies

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
109,755 POSTS

I have to be honest, the fluctuation in O2 sensors is most likely the result of the catalytic converter. Most times, the catalytic converter is the problem. Since it was burning so much oil, there is a good chance it was damaged.

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Sunday, November 19th, 2017 AT 5:48 PM

SDOWN

MEMBER
3 POSTS

Thanks for the reply. That is kind of what I was thinking but I get caught up with 'what if it were the cheaper route'. It seems to drive fine but has a little rougher than usual idle. No hesitation or rattle, but all that burning had to of fouled the catalytic converter like the plugs and 02 #1.

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Sunday, November 19th, 2017 AT 6:21 PM

SDOWN

MEMBER
3 POSTS

One more thing, getting a replacement requires determining if it is a California emissions car. Based on this tag, can you tell if it falls under that requirement? Big price difference when I live in Massachusetts.

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