Cel - exhaust issues, 2009
Thread Starter
Rookie
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 30
Likes: 2
From: California
Cel - exhaust issues, 2009
2009 ISF | Joe Z full exhaust from headers | Aftermarket Takeda intake | 155k Miles
My car at purchase 8 years ago only had the 2 front cats w/ Joe Z exhaust incl. x-pipe secondary cat delete. I moved from VA to CA and have always passed the computerized emissions test in CA. Unfortunately, a random new guy at the shop I've gone to for years did a visual test and failed me so I had to add 2 more cats. The exhaust shop, like idiots, chopped up the x-pipe and added the cats there. I blame myself for not asking them to just fabricate something. I passed emissions and immediately after my CEL came on and has never turned off. I immediately noticed driving from the exhaust shop that the car lost a tremendous amount of torque and HP. It also sounds very "airy" if that makes sense, not a lot of growl anymore. I took it to a different exhaust shop and they said, no leaks and the cats installed were the correct ones for the car (non-high flow). I asked them to remove the cats and they refused. I went to a 3rd shop and they refused and suggested it was not the exhaust, but a misfire. I finally went back to the original shop and he removed them and added flanges so I can put them back whenever I have emissions testing. Same issues. Again, my car always passed emissions without the 2 extra cats.
Code: P0430
Sometimes it goes off and comes back on when getting on the gas or going uphill.
Aftermath:
I've tried resetting the code which will stay off for maybe a day and come right back. I tried resetting the ECU and the light comes right back on. The air coming out of the exhaust sputters and sounds terrible. I want to take it to another exhaust shop, but I don't know if I should buy an all new exhaust, ask them to take off the entire mid pipe section and re-build me an x-pipe or replace the spark plugs, 02 sensor etc. I assume if my car had a misfire it would have a flashing CEL and a different code and I'd notice actual engine rough idle etc. However the problem seems to be solely from adding the cats.
With all that, I legit hate driving my car now and it sounds terrible so any advice would be greatly appreciated.
My car at purchase 8 years ago only had the 2 front cats w/ Joe Z exhaust incl. x-pipe secondary cat delete. I moved from VA to CA and have always passed the computerized emissions test in CA. Unfortunately, a random new guy at the shop I've gone to for years did a visual test and failed me so I had to add 2 more cats. The exhaust shop, like idiots, chopped up the x-pipe and added the cats there. I blame myself for not asking them to just fabricate something. I passed emissions and immediately after my CEL came on and has never turned off. I immediately noticed driving from the exhaust shop that the car lost a tremendous amount of torque and HP. It also sounds very "airy" if that makes sense, not a lot of growl anymore. I took it to a different exhaust shop and they said, no leaks and the cats installed were the correct ones for the car (non-high flow). I asked them to remove the cats and they refused. I went to a 3rd shop and they refused and suggested it was not the exhaust, but a misfire. I finally went back to the original shop and he removed them and added flanges so I can put them back whenever I have emissions testing. Same issues. Again, my car always passed emissions without the 2 extra cats.
Code: P0430
Sometimes it goes off and comes back on when getting on the gas or going uphill.
Aftermath:
I've tried resetting the code which will stay off for maybe a day and come right back. I tried resetting the ECU and the light comes right back on. The air coming out of the exhaust sputters and sounds terrible. I want to take it to another exhaust shop, but I don't know if I should buy an all new exhaust, ask them to take off the entire mid pipe section and re-build me an x-pipe or replace the spark plugs, 02 sensor etc. I assume if my car had a misfire it would have a flashing CEL and a different code and I'd notice actual engine rough idle etc. However the problem seems to be solely from adding the cats.
With all that, I legit hate driving my car now and it sounds terrible so any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Last edited by Tiggaknock; Jun 3, 2024 at 02:44 PM.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Zarrex
IS F (2008-2014)
8
Jul 8, 2020 03:54 PM