Mazda 2 1.25S - running report

[stripped fred]

I collected this on Saturday and as detailed in the other thread it drives well and is ideal for my step-mum to replace her written off polo. I do have a couple of problems/questions though from the more knowledgeable amongst you.

 

The yellow engine light came on after a few miles so I pulled over and lifted the bonnet. I stated at it for a few minutes not really knowing what to look for. The engine was ticking over fine so I proceeded on my way, about another 250 miles, without drama.

 

My step-mum took it to her garage today. They've told her it needs a new cat and they will complete this work for £470! A bit disappointing as more than the car cost. My usual garage will do it for £300 which is better. I could save a few more quid by buying the cat off eBay for £100 and they will fit for £115. The other option is to try and fit it myself but that doesn't always end well and I am a bit time limited.

 

I'm just wondering if it's worth getting a code reader to make sure it's the cat as I wondered if it could be the oxygen sender? I could also try disconnecting the battery to clear the code and see if it comes back on. Any advice appreciated.

 

The only other concern is that 320touring topped the oil up before I set off on my 300+ mile journey and back home it was on half full. I can always monitor this and she only does short journeys but also something on my mind.

 

Final thought is I could try and sell it as it is but no-one's going to want it with the light on and to put the light out to sell wouldn't sit well with me.

 

Decision time!

[The Moog]

Code reader is peanuts so probably worth getting one anyway. Then team it with Torque App to read it all. 

 

I assume the garage will have read the code to come up with that conclusion. 

[stripped fred]

Code reader is peanuts so probably worth getting one anyway. Then team it with Torque App to read it all. 

 

I assume the garage will have read the code to come up with that conclusion.

 

I suppose they must have. It's not a garage I've used myself so would like to be sure. I'm no expert on code readers so will post up the one I'm thinking of on here first.

[stripped fred]

Would this be ok?

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/221718487399

 

Would I need the torque app too or could I just buy a lead and use my laptop? Although it costs more than the code reader!

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/122461833446

[sierraman]

90% this will throw up a P0420 code about 02 imbalance. It basically means the cat is performing outside it's parameters according to the difference between the two figures it receives from the pre and post cat O2 sensors. Doesn't necessarily mean the cat has failed, just performing outside its 'accepted' parameters. I'd chuck a Cataclean in and give it some real cosh for a good half an hour. Then knock the lamp out. It might come back on again but I'd ignore it. Mine does this from time to time and it hasn't failed the emissions.

 

The oil might just have settled. I'd monitor it, if it's smoking or using a quantity of oil could be the rings, which in turn would cause emissions to be out.

[320touring]

Hi Paul, when I topped up the oil it was about 3/4 full, certainly didn't seem to notice it burning any oil when I was using it.

 

Re the eml, as others have said, I'd get a scanner and check the codes first. Car certainly ran OK when I had it - almost sounds like a lamda sensor not reading right or something like sierraman said?

 

Cheers

[carlo]

The engine diagnostic light comes on and off on one of my 405s all the time.  Has done for three years, usually after it gets wet.

 

I just ignore it.

 

Or I suppose I could pay a garage £470 and get it fixed.

[sierraman]

I'd live with it personally, that's assuming Cataclean doesn't sort it out.

[stripped fred]

I'll start by saying that this is just an old car issue and could be nothing as the light has now gone out! I'm going to get the fault codes read myself and see what's going on. I'm going to suggest that she doesn't rush to get the cat changed at the moment as it's running fine. Also, the mot isn't due until April 2018. A slightly non functioning cat can't damage anything can it? Will try the cataclean stuff too.

 

I don't think it's burning any oil as it runs really well. Just something I'll monitor.

 

Any help or links on a fault code reader much appreciated.

[stripped fred]

The engine diagnostic light comes on and off on one of my 405s all the time. Has done for three years, usually after it gets wet.

 

I just ignore it.

 

Or I suppose I could pay a garage £470 and get it fixed.

I think warning lights scare me as I'm no mechanic and expect impending doom! I've never had an engine light flash before.

[twosmoke300]

What sierraman said !

[twosmoke300]

Oh and aftermarket cats will often throw the same p0420 code

[sierraman]

If they last until the next MOT.

[Mally]

Did you let the oil settle before you dipped it?

If it did 250 mile with the light on buy some black tape.

[stripped fred]

Did you let the oil settle before you dipped it?

If it did 250 mile with the light on buy some black tape.

I did let it settle. If I hadn't done wouldn't it have read higher? Will check it in a few weeks. It's probably used to doing short journeys so a 6 hour thrash down the motorway maybe upset it.

 

Ordered some cataclean and fuel injector cleaner as worth a try. I might also change the lambda sensor at some point as it's only £20 although that's an eBay one so no guarantee of quality.

 

I think black tape may be the simplest option!

[sierraman]

It's got 2 sensors, post and pre cat.

[twosmoke300]

And a if it's a p0420 code then it's 100% the cat . The fact that it's pinged that particular code itself means the sensors must be working ok

[twosmoke300]

Oh and 20 quid eBay sensors are prob worse than what's on there anyway

[Braddon81]

If it runs OK, drives fine and fuel consumption isn't excessive.. just leave it as it is until any other symptoms pop up. It's easier to make things worse especially with cheap Ebay sensors and exhausts. If it had been parked up for a bit it might have been running a bit rich and thrown the lambda readings out temporarily. If it does come on again..by all means then chuck some cataclean down it and then give it an Italian tune up!

[Tamworthbay]

90% this will throw up a P0420 code about 02 imbalance. It basically means the cat is performing outside it's parameters according to the difference between the two figures it receives from the pre and post cat O2 sensors. Doesn't necessarily mean the cat has failed, just performing outside its 'accepted' parameters. I'd chuck a Cataclean in and give it some real cosh for a good half an hour. Then knock the lamp out. It might come back on again but I'd ignore it. Mine does this from time to time and it hasn't failed the emissions.

The oil might just have settled. I'd monitor it, if it's smoking or using a quantity of oil could be the rings, which in turn would cause emissions to be out.

Does it pass the MoT with the light on?

[twosmoke300]

Light itself isn't an mot fail . If cat is really poorly then it will fail mot but the cars inbuilt emissions limits are much tighter than the mot so it will most likely be fine come test time

[stripped fred]

Light itself isn't an mot fail . If cat is really poorly then it will fail mot but the cars inbuilt emissions limits are much tighter than the mot so it will most likely be fine come test time

That's good news. I will take the advice on here, some cataclean and an italian tune up and see how it goes. Cheers.

[twosmoke300]

Cataclean - nothing works as well !

[stripped fred]

Oh, and if anyone can tell me whether the code reader I linked to earlier is any good I'd appreciate it.

[sierraman]

Any of any quality should read and clear the P0420 code if that's it. The light won't fail but it'll be an advisory usually. If it bothers you just turn the lamp off prior to testing it, then go and get it nice and warm for the MOT.

[SiC]

If your step-mum is only doing short journeys, it may not get ran long enough for the light to come back on. Most need to be upto temperature, over X rpm for Y period (X & Y vary per engine) before they decide if the cat is a bit weak. Might also be a bit weak if not gone on long runs enough and the blast down the motorway has got it toasty and burnt off old crud.

 

If the fuel economy is alright, I'd only worry about it again when it's MOT time.

[stripped fred]

If your step-mum is only doing short journeys, it may not get ran long enough for the light to come back on. Most need to be upto temperature, over X rpm for Y period (X & Y vary per engine) before they decide if the cat is a bit weak. Might also be a bit weak if not gone on long runs enough and the blast down the motorway has got it toasty and burnt off old crud.

 

If the fuel economy is alright, I'd only worry about it again when it's MOT time.

She's 75 and drives as such. Only does about 3 journeys a week. I doubt she thrashes it. The lights still off so told her nothing to worry about and she even suggested some black tape so she has shite credentials.

 

I'm going to give it a service, use the cataclean and then take it for a blast in the next few weeks. She loves the car so fingers crossed it soldiers on for a while longer. Certainly feels healthy enough.

[cobblers]

I'm a bit late to the game but can only echo what's said above.

 

A genuine Cat will turn the light out for good, providing there's nothing underlying.

A £100 Cat will only last a couple of years tops and as mentioned, they often aren't all that good so can still bring the "P0420 catalyst efficiency" code up now and again even if they do function just well enough to pass the MOT.

Try some Cataclean and just buy a cheapo code reader to reset the light and keep an eye on things - You might find there's another issue that's buggered the cat up like a misfire or something, but if it's just sticking up a P0420 then your o2 sensors are working OK at least.

If it does fail the MOT down the line, you can put a cheapo cat on then and hopefully it'll do a few MOTs before it needs replacing again, rather than half wearing it out before it's first test.

Running it with the light on won't cause any issues other than slightly increased emissions.

 

My Ibiza Turbo had a decat on and the light would only come on every 200 miles or so. I had a bluetooth odb dongle thingy and I'd just clear the fault codes when sat waiting for my double sausage and egg mcmuffin on a Friday before work.

[twosmoke300]

Mr cobblers - would you mind me sending you a pm sometime about a random Honda ( Bosch ) ecu / interference fault I'm looking at at the moment ?

[cobblers]

Course not mate, bang one over