I bought it used it has 180,000 miles on it. Now that I think about it I'm sure the young man pulled a fast one. Took it to my mechanic and he said the front catalytic converter is clogged and the back is getting there. It's crazy because the car drives nice. Along with some evap issues got a quote for 5,100. I'm not rich and that's 400.00 less than what I paid for the car. Now I feel like I'm stuck. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.
If you had a clogged catalytic converter the car wouldn't "drive nice".
You'd have driveability issues like poor acceleration or the inability for the engine to reach high rpms
I'm thinking "clogged" here may equate to "P0420" but there's really not enough information to go on.
It does have the P0420 code, but it does not loose power. On this car there are 2 catalytic converters. A I had the 2 gaskets that are part of the system replaced due to leaks. Was told they did a back pressure test by first mechanic and said it was ok, left and after 38 miles the engine light came back on and checked when I got home with my Bluedriver and same code P0420. Took it back and had the 02 sensors changed and spark plugs and told they can't figure out what is wrong the car runs great, if you figure it out let us know
How long did it take for this to start happening? Did the pre-purchase inspection turn up any problems?
How was it determined the converters are now clogged? Was a back-pressure test performed? Assuming they really are clogged but not to the point where they're affecting the engine you could try some catalytic converter cleaner.
Whether cleaned or replaced, if the reason for the converters clogging is not fixed (typically oil burning) they'll just clog up again. Unfortunately that vehicle is known for oil burning problems.
https://www.carcomplaints.com/Chevrolet/Equinox/2010/engine/
https://www.cashcarsbuyer.com/2010-chevy-equinox-problems/
It does have the P0420 code, but it does not loose power. On this car there are 2 catalytic converters. A I had the 2 gaskets that are part of the system replaced due to leaks. Was told they did a back pressure test by first mechanic and said it was ok, left and after 38 miles the engine light came back on and checked when I got home with my Bluedriver and same code P0420. Took it back and had the 02 sensors changed and spark plugs and told they can't figure out what is wrong the car runs great, if you figure it out let us know. Now with with regular mechanic he checked it and the evap system needs works also.
If it's running OK the converters are not clogged, but they might be contaminated by oil. (Those engines do have a reputation for oil burning.) The description of P0420 details possible causes as well as troubleshooting tips.
https://www.obd-codes.com/p0420
Chuck, I saw on Scott's video that he said lacquer thinner would clean them out. Never heard of it but my question is it safe for the engine?
You don't address catalytic converter codes until you've resolved other codes or issues first.
You say the car has "Evap issues". That could cause a rich condition which is messing with the efficiency of the catalytic converter.
Catalytic converters only work with a very narrow range of exhaust gases. Too rich or too lean and the catalytic converter can't work right.
If there isn’t enough oxygen entering the catalytic converter (car running rich) , then there won’t be enough oxygen available to react with carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons during the oxidation catalyst stage.
Maybe get the Evap issues straightened out and check the fuel trims before worrying about the P0420 code
So I had the evap system done and now they are telling me that the timing needs to be done. Said it makes a noise on the cold start. I'm not a mechanic and I'm female and don't have all this money. I just paid 895.00 to get that done and now telling me the timing is 2 500.00 . Can yall give me some advice. Also said to drive it and it might not be the catalytic converter so now I'm questioning everything
got a quote for 5,100.
these GM SUVs are money pits. You might consider selling it and getting a Toyota. They cost more up front, but you end up spending less on unending problems in the long run. They also last longer.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-skXw0I05Jg&t=88s
Chuck, I saw on Scott's video that he said lacquer thinner would clean them out. Never heard of it but my question is it safe for the engine?
That's a good question. Usually to be on the safe side I'd say to use Cataclean, a product designed for that purpose. However it turns out the major component of that is actually lacquer thinner and there are only minor differences:
https://carkiller.com/scottykilmer/qa/catalytic-converter-code/#post-264717
However I'm not going to go ahead and tell anyone to put lacquer thinner in their gas tank. I would not want to be responsible for something going horribly wrong. (Modern engines and fuel systems have so many plastic parts that solvents stronger than gasoline can attack!) You might want to research a bit more and draw your own conclusion.
If you're feeling adventurous it's been reported that catalytic converters can be removed and cleaned up with soap and water or other compounds - with mixed results, some say it works some say it does not. It may depend on how bad the cat is internally. Search youtube for cleaning or washing a catalytic converter and you'll come up with videos like this one:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0o8xC5ZesLc
Thank you very much for all the information I am going to start with the evap part and the cat cleaner and see where I am at after that. I sure appreciate the input.
Chuck, I saw on Scott's video that he said lacquer thinner would clean them out. Never heard of it but my question is it safe for the engine?
have you checked our FAQ?
So I had the evap system done and now they are telling me that the timing needs to be done.
Do you mean the timing chain? What was this diagnosis based on? Do you get a rattling noise when starting up the engine cold?
Does your Equinox have the 4 cylinder or V6 engine? It looks like there was a service campaign and warranty extension for the timing chain on 4 cylinder models, but unfortunately that has expired.
It is a 4 cylinder has a 2.4
If that engine really needs a timing chain I'd say it's a good time to cut your losses and get rid of that Equinox if at all possible. As @imperator indicated those are really awful vehicles prone to expensive problems - in other words, a money pit. At the rate that thing is going it may never be right.
Thank you for the input I really do appreciate it.