Omega Owners Forum

Omega Help Area => Omega General Help => Topic started by: ted_one on 06 September 2012, 14:19:40

Title: Failing pre cats.
Post by: ted_one on 06 September 2012, 14:19:40
A little while ago I posted up for advice on my 3.2 as the EML had come on and the code reader confirmed reduced effeciency with the pre cats and the advice given was to relocate the Lambda sensors,which has proven easier said than done,tried a few local garages and all I got was "not interested mate" So have decided against trying to get the job done and will instead opt for replacing the pre cats,so I really could do with a bit of advice on suppliers other than VX dealers as I'm getting fed up with that big EML staring back at me all the time :-\
Title: Re: Failing pre cats.
Post by: Lazydocker on 06 September 2012, 14:24:34
A little while ago I posted up for advice on my 3.2 as the EML had come on and the code reader confirmed reduced effeciency with the pre cats and the advice given was to relocate the Lambda sensors,which has proven easier said than done,tried a few local garages and all I got was "not interested mate" So have decided against trying to get the job done and will instead opt for replacing the pre cats,so I really could do with a bit of advice on suppliers other than VX dealers as I'm getting fed up with that big EML staring back at me all the time :-\

Do Not replace the standard cats with aftermarket shite... It will be worse and there's nothing wrong with them ;) It's just that the management system is overly fussy ;)

It's worth getting them relocated. If all else fails, try Darth Loo Knee... A trip to Stoke will be well worth it if that is what you have to do ;)
Title: Re: Failing pre cats.
Post by: ted_one on 06 September 2012, 15:03:40
Unfortunately I've tried locally but there does'nt seem any one who's willing to take it on,so I'm taking the least path of resistance and going for new.Unable to contact Daz at the moment possibly due to his work commitments :-\
Title: Re: Failing pre cats.
Post by: albitz on 06 September 2012, 15:07:15
Taking the route of aftermarket cats is the worst possible way forward. You will regret wasting your money. ;)
Title: Re: Failing pre cats.
Post by: ted_one on 06 September 2012, 15:19:09
Yuup! getting the message but resolving the problem is a pain in the  :o might just get rid of the car....the other two  can go with it!  buy one get two free.Wife says get rid and lets get a newish Jag XJ  ::) ::)
Title: Re: Failing pre cats.
Post by: albitz on 06 September 2012, 15:27:08
I do know that Daz isbusy with new job commitments these days,but if he cant do the job at the moment Im sure others on the forum have done it too.Might be worth a new thread with "Wanted" in the title ?  :-\
Title: Re: Failing pre cats.
Post by: Peter13 on 06 September 2012, 15:54:26
How did you make sure your sensors are faulty or its location is causing the EML? According to my experience there are many other causes that can end up with EML. I have replaced 3 times the bank1 sensor on my x30xe with no succes before I finally found the vacuum leak that caused EML.
Title: Re: Failing pre cats.
Post by: Lazydocker on 06 September 2012, 15:56:30
Yuup! getting the message but resolving the problem is a pain in the  :o might just get rid of the car....the other two  can go with it!  buy one get two free.Wife says get rid and lets get a newish Jag XJ  ::) ::)
It's not a problem... OK, the light is a little annoying, but there is no performance restriction and the car runs fine so just wait until it can be sorted leisurely and do a pedal test weekly to check for any new codes ;)

Aftermarket cats will be restrictive, noisy and generally shite. Getting rid for a minor issue like this is, IMO, pointless but each to their own ;)
Title: Re: Failing pre cats.
Post by: Lazydocker on 06 September 2012, 15:58:01
How did you make sure your sensors are faulty or its location is causing the EML? According to my experience there are many other causes that can end up with EML. I have replaced 3 times the bank1 sensor on my x30xe with no succes before I finally found the vacuum leak that caused EML.

Different fault here... This is purely a pre-cat efficiency code and is not a major issue. Nothing wrong with the sensors or the cats themselves so just relocate the sensors and the light goes away for good ;)
Title: Re: Failing pre cats.
Post by: maverick on 06 September 2012, 16:21:14
on this subject has anyone tried these "mil eliminators" that are availaible for not a lot off ebay ?, not specific to an Omega but seems to be a universal thing. basically seems to trick ECU into thinking all is well

Brett
Title: Re: Failing pre cats.
Post by: ted_one on 06 September 2012, 16:26:43
Thanks for all the advice but have been thinking about getting shot of the cars for a while now,have'nt got the patience like many of you who have to do all this problem solving stuff >:(
Title: Re: Failing pre cats.
Post by: Entwood on 06 September 2012, 17:47:49
Buy a code reader/resetter.. even a laptop based ELM327 for £20 is good enough, or get something slightly better like the maxscan.

Then simply delete the codes once you confirm they are the cat effieciency ones .. takes a few seconds and the light stays out for quite a few months (11 in my case :) ), when it comes back on .. repeat the read/delete .. :)

seemples
Title: Re: Failing pre cats.
Post by: ted_one on 06 September 2012, 18:38:59
Tried that with the code reader that I've got but it does'nt work with this one,may well take your advice and get something that will do the job,SWMBO is nudging me towards sending the cars to the Gods of Egay and to stop wasting my money on trying to keep what in effect are worn out ten year old bangers on the road. :'( :'(
Title: Re: Failing pre cats.
Post by: biggriffin on 07 September 2012, 09:59:31
Wasn't there a thread on here about either removing the pre-cats or replacing the down pipes with 3.0L ones and putting primary lamdas in them.
Title: Re: Failing pre cats.
Post by: Lazydocker on 07 September 2012, 10:05:58
Wasn't there a thread on here about either removing the pre-cats or replacing the down pipes with 3.0L ones and putting primary lamdas in them.
Sort of... Replacing the 3.2 cats with 3.0 cats (which should be slightly less restrictive) ;)

It's not a straight swap though... Need to modify the manifold flange and still need to fit all 4 Lambda sensors, but the relocation is done :y

That said... I wouldn't fit anything other than genuine cats to the car though ;)
Title: Re: Failing pre cats.
Post by: Jimbob on 07 September 2012, 10:13:29
Yes, as he says, it was mine, 5mm to take off the cat to block flange, drill and weld in the other lambda, job done.
Title: Re: Failing pre cats.
Post by: robnobrakes on 07 September 2012, 11:03:42
Yes, as he says, it was mine, 5mm to take off the cat to block flange, drill and weld in the other lambda, job done.

And has your car been trouble free since the swap?
Title: Re: Failing pre cats.
Post by: TheBoy on 07 September 2012, 11:45:36
nitro - buy the required bits (about £15 from egay), new gaskets (cat to manifold), remove the cats and take them to an engineering firm, and bung them a few quid to drill the hole, and weld in the boss you bought.

Even if you sell the car afterwards, at least you are not selling with an EML on...
Title: Re: Failing pre cats.
Post by: TheBoy on 07 September 2012, 11:46:29
on this subject has anyone tried these "mil eliminators" that are availaible for not a lot off ebay ?, not specific to an Omega but seems to be a universal thing. basically seems to trick ECU into thinking all is well

Brett
Probably instructions on how to remove the bulb ::).

If the ECU is upset, always fix the cause ;)
Title: Re: Failing pre cats.
Post by: Jimbob on 07 September 2012, 11:54:28
Yes, as he says, it was mine, 5mm to take off the cat to block flange, drill and weld in the other lambda, job done.

And has your car been trouble free since the swap?

yes, been fine.