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Hey I'm brand new here. Need some help!

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by Gat, Nov 26, 2018.

  1. Gat

    Gat Junior Member

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    Hello, everyone.

    I'm a newbie Prius owner dealing with low MPG (38-40 hwy @ 65)on a 2005 (171k)Prius I just bought. CE light is throwing a catalytic converter code. I'm

    Hoping to find some help on how to use the site as well as some help on what things i need to troubleshoot.

    Thanks!!!
     
  2. Skibob

    Skibob Senior Member

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    Welcome, you have come to the right place for advice. How much oil is the car using? Be sure to check the oil at every fill up.
     
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  3. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    there's a search bar top right, all the pertinent forums are on the main forum page.

    sometimes you're better off doing a google search and looking for priuschat threads.
     
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  4. Kevin_Denver

    Kevin_Denver Active Member

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    Welcome to the forum!

    Bad cats usually happen due to burning oil. There are many posts both about how to minimize burning oil issues and bad cats - use the search bar and Google and don't be afraid to post on old threads if you're having the same issue.
     
  5. Gat

    Gat Junior Member

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    Ok I haven't checked the oil yet. The sticker on the windshield says it doesn't need a change doe another 3800 miles so I'm assuming it was just done before I bought it.
     
  6. PriusCamper

    PriusCamper Senior Member

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    I think what you're trying to say is that too much oil has been know to cause this error code...
     
  7. Skibob

    Skibob Senior Member

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    One step at a time amigo. :)
     
  8. Gat

    Gat Junior Member

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    I just found the "MPG Questionnaire" so I'll fill it out, when I get home tonight and post the results.
     
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  9. PriusCamper

    PriusCamper Senior Member

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    I tend to put as much info as possible into my first comment because new posters aren't very responsive. Sometimes they never post a second time. Time's a wasting... If you don't make your point quick, you're gonna lose 'em.
     
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  10. JimboPalmer

    JimboPalmer Tsar of all the Rushers

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    [This is my understanding, not the truth]

    You have an O2 sensor before and after the Cat, to test how well it is doing and to adjust the mixture so it does well. if the Cat is bad or either sensor, then the computer uses a generic fuel/air mixture, not ideal.

    In 48 states (not CA or NY) you can use an aftermarket Cat. (either weld in or custom made) This will save you $1000.

    www.amazon.com/dp/B076VVPPCM
    www.amazon.com/Denso-234-4623-Oxygen-Sensor/dp/B000C5WCUO

    That Cat may still need welding to exhaust system at one end, owners were not impressed by the included clamp. You will need a 10mm Hex driver bit Socket for the O2 sensor.

    www.amazon.com/ARES-8-inch-Treated-Sockets-Machined/dp/B07C5Z6RNR

    If you were in CA or NY

    Exhaust Components for 2005 Toyota Prius | Mike Erdman Toyota

    A view of what you see under car

     
    #10 JimboPalmer, Nov 26, 2018
    Last edited: Nov 26, 2018
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  11. Gat

    Gat Junior Member

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    JimboPalmer,

    Cool, yeah I have access to a welder and some people who know how to use it as well as a couple people who know their way around cars a little better than I do.
    However Priuses are a new thing to them so I need to point them in the right direction.
    Are these after market cats as good as OEM? Like a Magnaflow?
    Thanks for the help!
    (I had to remove the links to post a reply bc I'm new)
     
    #11 Gat, Nov 26, 2018
    Last edited: Nov 27, 2018
  12. Gat

    Gat Junior Member

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    Thanks for your help. My posts(including this one) are probably still waiting for approval. Bc I'm new.
     
  13. Skibob

    Skibob Senior Member

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    Perhaps; but if it’s not burning oil it would be a completely different problem. I’m pretty sure the reason new people don’t answer back quickly is because their posts have to be approved by an admin for the first 5 posts. When I started here that took like 2-3 day each.
     
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  14. Skibob

    Skibob Senior Member

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    Don’t wait to check that oil. The engine in this model Prius can have oil consumption problems, like 1 qt every 1000 miles or more. Car only holds 3.5 qts, plus the cat going bad could be due to oil burning.
     
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  15. Gat

    Gat Junior Member

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    I'm planning on pulling and cleaning the O2 sensors this weekend.
    Do you guys have any tips or videos on the easiest way to do this and what to clean them with?
     
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  16. JimboPalmer

    JimboPalmer Tsar of all the Rushers

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    I did not find a Prius video, but I did find a Toyota video.



    I bet it is more crowded in a Prius.
     
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  17. Gat

    Gat Junior Member

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    Just checked the oil. Still looks close to the full mark and(assuming 4k between changes) their has been 2k miles put on it.

    Just checked the tires and put them at Front 38/Rear 36.

    Against my better judgement I bought some "Cataclean" from AutoZone when I grabbed the hex head driver for the O2 sensor.

    Any ideas on other easy ways to fix/remidy the cat converter code before I dig into it?
    As well do you guys have any YouTube videos or walk throughs on how to clean/swap out the O2 sensors?
     
  18. Gat

    Gat Junior Member

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    Also swapped out the air filter. It wasn't horrendous but it definitely needed changing. I went to change the cabin air filter in upon inspection realized there wasn't one in the vehicle. Needless to say I put one in.
     
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  19. Hybridhoe

    Hybridhoe New Member

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    I second this, very well said. Also don’t let the shop keep the catalytic converter it’s worth good money. There’s a guy here on priuschat that pays $300 for them as scrap.
     
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  20. Gat

    Gat Junior Member

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