Warning lights = Bad Catalytic Converter

[MelloFJYellow]

Yesterday, those same four pesky engine lights that others have talked about ("Check Engine, Swerve, and both VSC") came on for the first time! I did a search on the Forum and removed and replaced the gas cap. No luck. I also disconnected the battery, and still the lights were on. I took it to my local dealer and they told me my Catalytic Converter was not as efficient as it should be and needs to be replaced. So, they ordered me a new one and I should have it installed within a week or so.

After less than three years and only 28K miles, is this normal? I don't know much about engines, but shouldn't something like this last longer? Any opinions?

[DEWFPO]

MelloFJYellow previously said:

After less than three years and only 28K miles, is this normal? I don't know much about engines, but shouldn't something like this last longer? Any opinions?

No it's not normal and that is why they are replacing for free under warranty.

DEWFPO

[JoeUser]

Makes me wonder: We've all been force-fed ethanol gas for the past, what, four years? I wonder if everyone will begin to see the manifestations of catalyst damage due to the alcohol in fuel, due to long term exposure?

Where's my tin foil cap... Did you see that black helicopter? heh heh

Seriously, any chemical engineers in the house?

[1911]

JoeUser previously said:

Makes me wonder: We've all been force-fed ethanol gas for the past, what, four years? I wonder if everyone will begin to see the manifestations of catalyst damage due to the alcohol in fuel, due to long term exposure?

It's not like congress would ever mandate an ill-thought-out solution by law that actually made the problem worse, like MTBE.

[DEWFPO]

JoeUser previously said:

Makes me wonder: We've all been force-fed ethanol gas for the past, what, four years? I wonder if everyone will begin to see the manifestations of catalyst damage due to the alcohol in fuel, due to long term exposure?

Where's my tin foil cap... Did you see that black helicopter? heh heh

Seriously, any chemical engineers in the house?

Some areas have used ethanol since 1985 (at first Denver only in winter), now year round. No problems with catalytic convertors. It might be other additives in the gas but I doubt it's the ethanol.

DEWFPO

[DEWFPO]

1911 previously said:

It's not like congress would ever mandate an ill-thought-out solution by law that actually made the problem worse, like MTBE.

Don't get me started on MtBE. What a debacle that was. I worked at Chevron back when it was mandated in CA and Chevron fought back hard to not use it. We proposed using ethanol instead (a proven additive). CA said, who cares what you want, you'll use MtBE and be happy about it. Well, it cost the oil companies and the state of CA billions of dollars to clean up and lawsuits not to mention all the money wasted changing over chemical plants to make this stuff. Back then you couldn't tell regulators anything. They seemed to have a allergic reaction to DATA.

DEWFPO

[esnx99]

I just recently got those exact lights come on. However; when I accelerate, between 2000 and 2500 RPM's, I get a hesitation or jerk where the rpms jump from 2500 to 2000 then back to 2500. This happens in any gear. what do ya'll think?

btw: I have a 07 4X4 AT

[VooDoo Blue 57]

Just for the record, here in California, not sure if it's the same for the rest of the US, the smog system on most cars has a longer factory warranty than the rest of the truck. My son's 03 second hand Toyota Matrix had 79,800 miles on it when the cat went out. Toyota replaced it under warranty. The cat was covered till 80,000. Have not read the fine print on the FJ but I'm guessing it is the same.

[esnx99]

If the cat is bad, would that cause problems with acceleration?

[toytaco]

esnx99 previously said:

If the cat is bad, would that cause problems with acceleration?

no it doesn't