Okay here's the deal. I just bought an 01 GPW w/ 60K miles on it. I drove it about 400 miles home with absolutely no problems at all. After my first day of driving it the CEL came on (solid). I do not "kick or beat" on my car at all. The car previously had an Injen intake and that's it. The rest of the car is stock.

I pulled the codes and its throwing codes 67 and 45. All of the parts places are closed right now, and I am supposed to be leaving in about 10hrs!!! I have to drive to FL (im in SC) in the morning and its VERY important. Is the car safe to drive w/ these codes and fix them when I get back or should the car stay parked and cancel my trip? Some please help me out and let me know what needs to be done to get this fixed. Thanks.

Chris

 

67=P0420= bad catalytic convertor
45=P0171 or P0172 Fuel metering is too lean or too rich, don't know because we don't have the OBDII P0 code.

 

So do you think the car will be fine to drive w/ the exception of bad gas mileage and performance?

 

Just got the P code from Advanced. Here's the latest update.

P0172
System too Rich
(Bank 1)

P0420
Catalyst Effeciency
Below Threshold
(Bank 1)

Keep in mind, I had no problem driving home 400 miles. I filled up with gas (93 oct.) and about 45 min. later the light came on. I triple checked the gas cap to make sure it was tight.

 

I am not mechanic, but other than bad gas mileage there shouldn't be any reason you can't drive the car if you have somewhere important to go. Running rich doesnt really risk the engine as fas as I know.

I'd also call the party you bought the car from. Codes right after purchase is BS.

 

What would you suggest I'd tell them. I purchased the car as is with no warranty at all.

 

You'll need a convertor to fix the P0420. You may also need a secondary 02 sensor if it was damaged from the convertor breaking up internally. If the car is under 8yr/80k the convertor is covered under a federal emmisions warranty. Fix the convertor 1st before going into the P0172. The rear 02 readings can cause it to set.

 

I had the same codes 2 weeks ago, with the cel on i drove real slow and it ran like crap w/ the cel on. I went to the local autozone to rent a scanner and pulled the codes. I reset the ecu through the scanner and did the idle relearn. I have no problems.

I think it was a tank of bad gas, it came on 5 mins after i filled up. Coincidence? Maybe, but i highly doubt it. Filled up on good gas and problem never arised again. Keep in mind when you reset the ecu, the code will stay pending until you started your car on and off 40 times. I think i am up to 25-30. I'll let you know if the code comes on again.

 

The monitor for catalyst deteriation doesn't run every time the car is started. Certain operating partameters must be met, then the test failed 2 times on seperate key on/of cycles before the CEL is turned on.

 

Well, I'm down in FL. The car drove fine after I retightned the gas cap and reset the ecu. I drove about 500 miles and the light never came back. As I filled up with gas (down here) about 30 min. later the cel came back. I guess I'll have to go to the dealer to have the cat fixed. I only have 61K on the clock so I guess it's still warrantied. Thanks.

Chris