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Cataclean and EGR Clog Codes

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Technical Discussion' started by C-in-DC, Feb 21, 2023.

  1. AzusaPrius

    AzusaPrius Senior Member

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    Looks like you are in a CARB state.

    The $600 repair would most likely not be legal in your area.

    Try to source a new OEM.

    Magnaflow is expensive but a nice boost in power for sure over OEM.

    I would keep using your car until its time to smog, stop resetting the P0420 code and a month before the smog, use cataclean.

    For now see if any dealers have an OEM cat in stock, if not they will require a payment in advance for the order and it will be on backorder with no ETA most likely.
     
  2. C-in-DC

    C-in-DC Member

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    I got quoted $800 for one on Facebook marketplace. Wish someone would invent a machine that could clean a cat.
    P0401 is back so that was $180 wasted at the stealer ship
     
  3. ChapmanF

    ChapmanF Senior Member

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    I was wondering about that. I would not really have expected the firmware update to make a P0401 go away.

    I know that they did include updating to that firmware rev in a TSB about changing the EGR valve. But they also update to the same firmware rev in a different TSB about the intake manifold. The EGR TSB doesn't say you should also change the manifold, and the manifold TSB doesn't say you should also change the valve. They just both say you ought to have the newer firmware rev.

    That makes me think there isn't anything about the new manifold or the new valve that the new firmware is absolutely specific to, but probably the new firmware has some improved control ideas in it that are worth having.

    I wouldn't call it wasted money; firmware updates usually contain improvements worth having. But I'm not surprised it wasn't a magic P0401 fix.

    You said the valve and cooler are a month old. Were they new? If used, was the ski jump in the valve checked?

    Were the EGR passages in the intake manifold cleaned?

    There's an active test described in the P0401 workup section. If you've had a chance to do that, what happened?
     
  4. C-in-DC

    C-in-DC Member

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    I spent considerable hours cleaning the intake and egr intake pipe. I bought a new egr valve from Japan on eBay and cooler tank too.

    the air/fuel sensor ratio actuation test gives me false readings on the coolant temp and it doesn’t give me an o2 sensor voltage reading. The video of that is in this thread. No one commented on the videos so I figured the test showed confirmation that the cat is bad.

    The exhaust manifold I used during the engine swap was from a junkyard and it had the o2 sensor on it. I still have the old exhaust manifold that I bent in the process of the gen4 egr retrofit mistake. I think I’ll swap the old 02 sensor from that manifold and put it in the manifold on the car all the while cursing the lack of room in that area of the engine bay.

    I don’t know what the ski jump in the valve is? I’m concerned I might’ve put the egr gasket backwards. Car care nut had a video of the correct way but I couldn’t find it when I did the swap.

    my car has 200,000+ miles on it. If I get a legal cat replacement I’ll basically spend more than the car is worth in a span of three months.
     
  5. ChapmanF

    ChapmanF Senior Member

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    The ski jump in the valve should be fine if the valve was new. In a used one it could be mashed. If you want to see what that looks like, you could search here for those terms; I don't think we discuss other ski jumps all that often, so you should get threads where it's described.
     
  6. C-in-DC

    C-in-DC Member

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    Current and pending codes
     

    Attached Files:

  7. C-in-DC

    C-in-DC Member

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    Cat temps on the highway

     
  8. C-in-DC

    C-in-DC Member

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  9. C-in-DC

    C-in-DC Member

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  10. AzusaPrius

    AzusaPrius Senior Member

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    That could be real, but its not sold by them so I would be cautious.

    Also you only need the front half not that complete one, also you may have the heat exchanger so that is not the right part.
     
  11. C-in-DC

    C-in-DC Member

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    Do i have to replace the heat exchanger? Hoping it’s just the $200 one I can get someone to weld .https://www.magnaflow.com/collections/2010-toyota-prius-catalytic-converters
     
  12. AzusaPrius

    AzusaPrius Senior Member

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    You do not need to replace the heat exchanger, I did not when I used the Magnaflow #5631455

    Previously I posted the model # wrong.
    It is 5631455 not 5681455
     
    #53 AzusaPrius, Mar 5, 2023
    Last edited: Mar 5, 2023
  13. C-in-DC

    C-in-DC Member

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    The federal equivalent to the California carb #5631455 is #52455. The note fitment says it has exhaust heat recirculation. You said you didn’t change the heat exchanger so maybe I’m confused on the terminology.

    #52453 ‘s fitment note is No exhaust heat recirculation. I’m hoping I can use this one because it’s cheaper. Anyone know if this one’s the correct one to use if you’re not replacing the heat exchanger?
     
  14. AzusaPrius

    AzusaPrius Senior Member

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    Heat exchanger is another term for them same thing, heat recirculates with it.

    Just go to Magnaflow and enter your cars details and it will show the right one for your car and state.

    The picture you showed does not have the heat exchanger.
     
  15. C-in-DC

    C-in-DC Member

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    That’s the thing: they show three different ones.
    https://www.magnaflow.com/collections/2010-toyota-prius-catalytic-converters

    Need a little guidance on which to purchase. Ones direct fit without heat recirculation bolt mounted, ones with recirculation bolt mounted, one is direct with welding required.
     
  16. C-in-DC

    C-in-DC Member

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    I think I’ll go the welding route. I know a welder that quoted 125. Magnaflow has the cat only for 200 so my total will be around 400 with shipping probably. I can afford that.

    Thank you for the help guys. Sorry if I bombarded your alerts.
     
  17. AzusaPrius

    AzusaPrius Senior Member

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    This may be the one for you if you want a direct fit and you do not have to weld it.

    My installer welded mine anyway and I would say to do that also.

    You piece it together just make sure you enter all your info in the website or call them and ask for correct and cheapest way to go about it.

    Lucky for you this part pictured is the same part I have, only thing is they market it differently and charge me double because I am in California. 20230305_084800.jpeg
     
  18. C-in-DC

    C-in-DC Member

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    Magnaflows customer service confirmed I need #52455.

    Does magnaflow increase engine performance over Toyota oem? Are people going to them because the part is usually backordered at Toyota with all the thefts? I hate thieves.

    Right now I’m seeing a $100 difference in cost. I’ve been erroneously referring to the o2 sensor being on the exhaust manifold. This is the one I was planning on replacing. I’ve been told that’s actually the air fuel ratio sensor on the exhaust manifold. The o2 sensor is after the bank 1 cat, is that correct? The sensors look the same to me. Service advisor at the dealer told me they only clean them when they do cat replacements they don’t replace the sensor.

    what are the odds the 02 sensor is just dirty? Has anyone seen that be the case and not the cat?
     
  19. AzusaPrius

    AzusaPrius Senior Member

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    I have been there and done that.

    Replaced the A/F sensor on the manifold
    Replaced the downstream O2 sensor on the cat and the issue is the cat.

    P0420 will keep coming back.

    These things only last about 10 years.
    Time to swap it out and bite the bullet.

    Yes the Magnaflow will increase the performance because the air flow is better.

    If you were not in a state where they car about it, then you could actually purchase a cheap cat like most of the users here.

    Shortly down the line, that cheap cat has no more life and gives out.