I have a 2012 Jeep Liberty with 163,000 miles. I am the original owner and would like to think I've done a good job of maintaining it but it seems these issues all came at once.
-Needs an oil pan
-Needs front CV shafts
-Has a P0420 code (tried cataclean, lacquer thinner, downstream o2 sensor) with no luck
-Needs muffler
-Has transmission line leak
-Has oil leak coming from front of engine somewhere (haven't investigated yet)
I live in Upstate NY so I need the Catalytic converter to pass inspection.
Other than these issues, the jeep runs really well and has very minimal surface rust on the frame.
Is it worth spending the money on these repairs? The prices of new and used cars are obviously very high right now and I want to try and wait it out. I just don't want to spend the money on the repairs and 8 months down the road find myself having to still buy a new/used car.
Is it worth the risk?
Thanks,
Eric
The problem with this code is that it could be something as simple as a bad spark plug or dirty air filter or more complicated like a faulty or leaking injector causing it to show a catalytic converter fault. It may not be the cat at all, but something else. You need a deep scan and real time data stream to see what is actually causing the problem.
I used one of those K&N insert air filters for years but recently decided to trash it and go back to the paper filter. I replaced the PCV valve a week ago after doing some research on burning oil which is true with my Jeep. the breather line going from the valve cover to the intake box had oil in it and there was a tiny amount on the filter.
There aren't any misfire codes or counts on my scan tool, but plugs are easy enough to swap out. I did replace coils, wires, and plugs last summer.
I cant remember if I have ever replaced injectors... If I did it would have been a long time ago...
Calculate the repairs for your car. I would also do some more research on the p0420 code. If all of the repairs are less than $1,000 totalled then keep the car.
The p0420 is Bank 2 CAT below threshold... Tried the "quick fixes" with no luck. I can do some of the repairs but the amount I would have to spend at the shop is around $2000-$2500...
I checked Rockauto for your parts. Assuming you did need to replace the cats, that would be your biggest expense, about 570 for the part. Muffler 44, oil pan 30 (what happened to your oil pan?), cv axles 150. Live with the leaks if they are not too bad. So, about 800 for the parts, add labor for anything you can't do yourself.
The oil pan is rotted out and being held together by paint haha. the transmission pan was the same but I replaced it.
-I don't have the ability to do the oil pan because you have to lift the rear of the engine to access it, this was quoted at $700-$800 because of labor...
-If the CAT has to be replaced, I will have a shop do the entire exhaust because the muffler is leaking as well and only a matter of time before other parts of it go, I'd rather not Frankenstein it if I have to spend the money.
You face a really tough choice for sure. Gonna be hard to sell it for anything, as is. Gonna be expensive to fix and you risk expensive problems occurring down the road with that many miles. It's a long shot, but you could see if any local high school or college has an auto shop class that would be interested in letting students do the work.
I was offered $750 on a trade-in haha and yes I'm sure I couldn't sell it for enough to make up for the inflation on a new/used vehicle.
Good idea with the local college/high school, I will definitely look into that.