Help Me!! Cat Converter Ageing fault!!

lisa s · Post by **lisa s** » Mon May 07, 2007 2:16 pm

Only purchased my lovely(2003), 35,000, 206cc 2.0 24 hours before the faults begun!!
Noticed when engine cold, it was misfiring (which i later found out was from cyclinder 1) only lasted about 2 mins then cleared or sooner if accelerated.

Diagnostic light came on while driving after bout 5th time this fault had occured over a number of days, + anti-pollution fault on computer!

Took it to peugeot, faults were permanent fault: cat converter ageing
intermittent fault:vehicle speed sensor, short circuit to postive or open circuit.
and intermittent fault: cyclinder no 1 misfiring.

Peugout said i had a non geniune peugeot cat on my car n it was faulty, quoted 800+ for new one! (no mention of engine prob?)

I currently have the car with an private mechanic, who has checked spark plugs, coil pack n performed numerous tests n cannot get to route of prob with engine!

I need to know if having a faulty cat could cause the misfire or if its a result of the intermittent misfire?? i dont know whether to just get a new cat or not??

Funds are tight, i really dont know what to do for the best!!

HELP ME!!!:(

The mechanics have had my new car longer than i have!!!

Post by **GrandadMonkey** » Mon May 07, 2007 6:00 pm

I take it you bought it privately hence have no recourse to the seller?

lisa s · Post by **lisa s** » Mon May 07, 2007 7:43 pm

yes, unfortunately, from a friend of a friend though, so hate to think she knew it had a prob!
Any suggestions? was going to try tracing back to the garage it may of been replaced at in nov 06, not sure where i would stand with that though!

Just really need to know whether to get a net cat or not?? i know nothing is guaranteed:(

Post by **GrandadMonkey** » Mon May 07, 2007 11:00 pm

Why do people sell cars? Either because they need something different, fancy a change, can afford a new one, or to offload a problem they can't solve.

Perhaps reap will come on soon and offer an expert opinion....

If the new catalytic converter was fitted in 11/06 surely that would carry a 12 months guarantee?

lisa s · Post by **lisa s** » Tue May 08, 2007 12:08 pm

well, she does have a new car, the cc wasnt pratical for her anymore, i am looking into where part was fitted, but she did not give me any receipts!! I have requested them today! My mechanic is going to remove cat today and start the car from cold n see if it mis-fires! hoping it doesnt, even though costly at least ill will know the route of the problem!! fingers crossed!!!

BLUE PUG · Post by **BLUE PUG** » Tue May 08, 2007 4:45 pm

Good Luck

lisa s · Post by **lisa s** » Tue May 08, 2007 5:42 pm

Thanks Blue pug!!
But not good news, now thinking tappets need replacing and cat converter because its faulty!!!
Bang goes my credit card!! u would think previous owner would have a conscience n feel guilty if it was a reason for selling it!!!:(

Post by **GrandadMonkey** » Tue May 08, 2007 8:15 pm

I would let her know, nicely.
I bought a car off a friend's father a couple of years ago and after we'd done the deal, as it was due for MOT and it failed on corrosion I went back and told him and he paid for the repair AND the MOT test. He offered me my money back if I would have preferred that. We ended up on good terms and he was pleased that I had told him as he said he wouldn't have wanted to do me down.
If you keep it on friendly terms you may learn that she did know that there was a problem, although she probably didn't know what, and you may get a contribution to the cost of repair from her.
Tappets can be a problem on the 2 litre engines (search earlier threads on the forum), could they have caused poor running and affected a perfectly good cat I wonder? (Rhetorical question, so don't try to answer it).
It is so disappointing when you've probably spent right up to your budget on a car only to find it is going to cost several hundreds of pounds to put it right. I hope you got it for a seemingly bargain price, so that at the end of the day you end up with a good car at no more than you would have paid for a perfect one from a main dealer.
Best Wishes,
Ron

BLUE PUG · Post by **BLUE PUG** » Tue May 08, 2007 8:30 pm

I agree with GrandadMonkey I think you should tell her nicely, what have you got to loose

reap · Post by **reap** » Tue May 08, 2007 8:38 pm

hello

the misfire from cold and lasts for a few mins is prob gonna be dreaded tappets,this will give you your int fault mifire on cylinder one or undertermined misfire on one or more cylinders.
cat aging problem is gonna be either the cat itself or faulty lambda sensor going out of range,couldnt tell you wich without checking.
its prob all realated to the misfire,unburnt fuel damaging/pemature ageing the cat and lambda sensor seeing to much hydrocarbon.
both problems gonna need addressing
hope this helps. :0

Post by **GrandadMonkey** » Wed May 09, 2007 11:24 am

Thanks reap. I knew you would know.

Good luck Lisa, let us know how you get on.

Ron

lisa s · Post by **lisa s** » Mon May 14, 2007 5:45 pm

OK!!
I have my baby back!!
Total cost of repairs Â£1,429.21 OUCH!!
To be honest im just glad to get it back! Problem needed new tappets and catalytic converter due to premature ageing spot on reap!! Also had usual bits needed when engine sorted, oil filter, gaskets, cam belt (never had a new one on it) etc, so i did get it cheap as a family friend was the mechanic dealing with it, dread to think what dealer would of charged!!

Thanks for your support everyone!! Just wish id known this was a big prob with 2 litres before i bought one!!! (Was going to buy 1.6

)

So all new potential owners out there BEWARE!!

Oh and spoke to seller and explained prob n how much it set me back, still denies ever knew a prob, n no help towards cost, guess some people just don t have a conscience!

gotta get a new tyre soon too

Post by **GrandadMonkey** » Mon May 14, 2007 8:27 pm

Lisa,
So sorry to hear about the big bill. A harsh lesson, not only about cars but about people too! Glad you had the cam belt done too, your mechanic obviously knows his job. We bought a 1.6 so luckily we don't have the problems you have had.
Try www.blackcircles.com for good tyre prices.
Best wishes,
Ron

BLUE PUG · Post by **BLUE PUG** » Mon May 14, 2007 8:47 pm

Well Lisa what can i say but good luck in the future with your car!!

itmustbejock · Post by **itmustbejock** » Fri Jun 08, 2007 2:00 pm

Right First things first, the main problem with the cold starting is the valve lifters,

they get sticky and can cause all of the following problems, btw im a peugeot mechanic, so i guess i know what im talking about

Tel you mechanic to try an oil and filter change and use semi synthetic oil

and also put sum wyns top end treatment, this is advice from peugeot

After the filter change tell him to take the car for a hard drive taking the car up to max revs in 1st and second and third.

You shud find that in a couple of weeks the car will be alot better

If it isnt the hydraulic lifters will need changed

As for the cat aging it cud also be a problem with the software that is on the ecu, has the dealer tried a new version??

Jason