Stephenishere

I've been reading about the few codes that are often thrown in my cobalt. p0420 and the other one which is saying the system is too lean. I normally just go to autozone and get them to clear it for me, but its kind of a hassle. Looking for a more permanent fix. The hptuners stuff is like $500, what would be the cheapest alternative to doing that way? Anyone in lubbock tx that wouldn't mind helping a fellow cobalt owner out . Someone was telling me that if you do a o2 spoofer, it actually can cause problems since the mixture of the fuel is based on the readings the o2 sensor gives.

Any advice? Is it possible to rent hptuners stuff?

Bl4des

iTrader: (4)

the p0420 is from your post cat o2 sensor witch has nothing to do with you air fuel mixture

originaladrian

ur car needs to smoke a bowl

Stephenishere

what kind of problems would be throwing the lean code? Faulty fuel lines? Bad injectors? Spark plugs?

ItalianJoe1

iTrader: (10)

Just use an O2 sensor extender or whatever they call them to cure that P0420 code. As for the lean code, it happens sometimes on modded LSJ's, not really anything to worry about unless it happens all the time. Check for vacuum leaks or something like that if it is present at all times.

Stephenishere

Thanks for the advice joe. Unfortunately the code has been going off for the lean system pretty much when ever the p0420 code is thrown. What is the best way to check for leaks? I really don't have much experience working with cars. ; / I though A/F mixture problems would be more based on injectors? Doesn't the o2 sensor behind the cat adjust the fuel mixture in the engine?

Bl4des

iTrader: (4)

then lean code is most likely from your air box mod

ItalianJoe1

iTrader: (10)

No, the secondary O2 just checks for a change in A/F from the primary O2. It's only job is to make sure the cat is there and working. If you remove the cat, both sensors read the same A/F, and you get a code. No actual change for anything else, just that. A/F ratio problems are probably something simple, like the airbox mod as mentioned above. Get the O2 thing fixed first, then figure out the lean codes.

08inBama

I bet antifoulers would get rid of this, when I went to a highflow cat on my old GTP, I kept throwing this code, some spark plug antifoulers from Autozone and a 3/8" drill bit solved my problems... pretty cheap trick that works most of the time... you just "hollow" one of them out...find rear o2 sensor screws into your exhaust, remove it, screw the unhollow antifouler onto your exhaust, then the hollow one onto it, then the rear o2 sensor will thread onto the hollow antifouler, clear the code... and no more problems... if you have a "low efficiency bank" that will solve the problem most of the time, here are some pics:


Hollowed compared to unhollow



the top "threaded" part goes into your exhaust, the o2 sensor will thread into the Hollow part



Bottom View with the hollow part in view



makes no sense, works like a charm


the antifoulers cost like $4 at autozone

ItalianJoe1

iTrader: (10)

Yeah, thats all the 'O2 fooler' things are. They just space the sensor away from the pipe. When you take it out of the stream, you slow down the readings, making it pass the computers test of being different from the first one. Most of the time, they work like a charm.

Stephenishere

Really appreciate the help everyone. I'll try the hollowing out way, seems the cheapest . If that doesn't work I could resort to a more expensive o2 extender alternative.

08inBama

if they don't work, an o2 extender won't, these work in the same way... But I am confident this will fix your problem

but I know an o2 sim was like $90 for my GTP, my route was less than $5



those are the exact ones Autozone sales... same brand, everything... Help! is the brand, they should have a whole section of this crap, those are the ones I used... other than those, you just need a 3/8" bit and a drill, and a vice helps hold it while you hollow it out

I don't know discovered this, I actually found out about it on a 350Z site, I googled the code I threw just trying to get lucky and find a fix, and i'll be damned there was one... Word has gotten out now, most car forums know about it, sure some did here, if not... I did my part in getting the word out

TRANSAM197781

iTrader: (5)

thats a great idea but how many has actually tried to fit that under there cobalt its a weee bit tight

lwpmoon

iTrader: (1)

I'll have to try this. I just through the P0420 code after I installed my WOT box and my 2.5" Magnaflow exhaust. If my cat is shot I'm just going catless or high flow. Thanks.

lwpmoon

iTrader: (1)

Ok... Installed this but it barely fits with one anti-seize. Waiting for the code to come back, if it does.

Dainslaif

Those are the exact same spacers I used on mine (no cat) and I haven't thrown a code in the several months I've had it. It works for our car.

Hotpants08

if u used antifoulers on a catless downpipe in order to get rid of the code, would u be able to pass emissions?

lwpmoon

iTrader: (1)

Not if you have to take your car into the emissions palce. They use there own equipment to messure your cars emmisions.

BCobaltSS

I know this is an old thread but has anyone else tried this yet

08inBama

it will work, I haven't ever did it on a Cobalt, so I don't know the spacing involved or if it will actually fit, but as far as principle, it will work on ANY car... and most car boards now know about this, I actually found it on a 350Z board, it works for them, it works on GTP grand prixs(what I personally used it on), it works on GT Mustangs(which I have personally saw it work on), it works on Mustang Cobras(supercharged), and it works on 4th gen f-bodies.............. if it will fit under a Cobalt(which one guy here tried it and never came back so I assume it fixed his), it will work

bbbevans89

For 420 I Bought An Angled 02 Sensor Cel Eleminator Off Ebay If The Lean Code Is 171 Clean Your Maf And Replace Your Air Filter If Needed

Dainslaif

I am currently running this on my car, and never threw a P0420 code.

BCobaltSS

sweet I bought the part and will be installing it this weekend

krazycobalt

I have an interceptor that I use to scan it and then clear it.... up to you, buying one would be a win win cause it does a lot of other things along with scanning and clearing codes

Dmen SS

What size thread?? 14mm or 18mm