1. Attachments are working again! Check out this thread for more details and to report any other bugs.

How to replace o2 sensors with cat shield installed

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by lbarrack, Nov 26, 2023.

  1. lbarrack

    lbarrack Junior Member

    Joined:
    Nov 13, 2018
    34
    4
    0
    Location:
    San Diego
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    Five
    I have codes that would suggest either replacing my CAT or the sensors. Would like to take the cheaper step first (live in CA so CATs are expensive). Is there a way to get to them if I have a CAT shield installed. I was told there may be a way to unbolt the exhaust pipe and slide it out?

    Thanks for any info.
     
  2. lbarrack

    lbarrack Junior Member

    Joined:
    Nov 13, 2018
    34
    4
    0
    Location:
    San Diego
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    Five
    Also my check engine light keeps going on and off but my car always passes smog test.
     
  3. dolj

    dolj Senior Member

    Joined:
    May 14, 2012
    7,854
    3,965
    0
    Location:
    Wellington, New Zealand
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    It would be good for you to share the actual codes rather than someone's interpretation of them.
     
  4. Tombukt2

    Tombukt2 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Nov 29, 2020
    10,367
    1,791
    0
    Location:
    Durham NC
    Vehicle:
    2009 Prius
    Model:
    Base
    If you're chasing the cat below threshold code which is PO420 I think you can change your sensors all day long if the cat can't absorb the fuel that is squished into it during the test it'll fail and be below the minimum threshold until it isn't which is one is replaced apparently now you may be able to put a O2 sensor spacer and that may adjust the signal pickup capabilities of that downstream sensor and make it not show that the cat is below threshold That's your best chance of making this happen without the expense of a factory cat which apparently is needed in this model. Ive yet to try this on my '09 Gen 2 with the PO420 code now for 3 years I've just been too lazy to crawl under the car and literally screw this thing in and screw the cat into it lock it down and clear the code and see what happens maybe I'll get to it this next week I do not have a cat shield so none of the problems usually the cat shield is put in with special bolts that you've either been provided the key for or can go to the shop that installed it and get the key from them I'm not sure how that exactly works or maybe they can make a hole in the shield so you're 02 wrench or socket can get up in there to loosen and then you can use long needle nose pliers or something to twist it the rest of the way out something here in the southeast USA cat shields aren't really a big thing so far.
     
    Mendel Leisk likes this.