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Check Engine Codes!! =[

2K views 2 replies 3 participants last post by  BigSmitty 
#1 ·
Hello folks, I have a 2004 Ford Escape V6. I was driving on the highway and when I approached a hill, the car wouldn't accelerate normally and eventually stalled out. I somehow got the car to start back up, but it studdered all the way home. Here are the two codes that popped up.

P0420
P0402

My question is, what should I get looked at first.. I just had a brand new catalytic converter about 4 months ago.
 
#2 ·
Search the internet for the codes or youtube for the codes + Ford Escape.
Doing an internet search:

From OBD-II.com:
P0420 = Catalyst System Efficiency Below Threshold (Bank 1)
P0402 = Exhaust Gas Recirculation Flow (EGR) Excessive Detected (a faulty DPFE is a common problem w the Escape).

I don't know what your problem is, but one thing that can ruin a catalytic converter is an engine misfire in which raw fuel gets to them - the fuel then ignites inside the cat, causing overheating & I guess carbon buildup. Scotty Kilmer suggests a method for cleaning a cat using lacquer thinner (youtube video).
 
#3 ·
Which cat did you have replaced? The V6 has one in front and one in the back of the engine, then another further back along the exhaust line. The P0420 code comes on when the values from the two O2 sensors on the Bank 1 cat are very close to the same (basically a differential between intake/output of the cat). Since it's only one, not both, there's a chance the two O2 sensors aren't connected back on that new cat. Just a possibility of course. I've seen weirder things after coming back from the shop that took a few weeks to show up.

*Edit* Just saw the writeup that you had some stuttering and possible misfire issues. Depending on how bad the cat was that you replaced 4 months ago, it's possible the other one is simply failing as well.
 
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