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You can hack fix P0420 with oxygen sensor spacer; don't try anything else!

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by anonymous, Aug 15, 2020.

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  1. anonymous

    anonymous Member

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    I was reluctant to try this hack because I didn't think there was enough space in the gen 3. So first I experimented a bit and tried poisoning the sensor with silicone but that didn't do anything. So then I tried using a low pass filter but it required too many attempts and too much time to find the right values. So I decided to find out if spacers would fit instead of tweaking the circuit further; I got a pair of those spark plug non-foulers (there are gasket and tapered versions; I got the gasket one) from the nearest auto parts store and a drill bit from harbor freight. (I also got a pair of their steel vehicle ramps which turned out to just fit under the front and provide the ideal amount of height to work underneath.) Drilled through one of them, put them all together with the sensor (no gasket between them but I did use a gasket between the exhaust pipe), and turns out there is enough flex in the heat sheild to squeeze it in! Wires aren't happy but they can survive.

    IMG_20200814_171435.jpg IMG_20200814_183213.jpg IMG_20200814_183317.jpg IMG_20200814_183739.jpg IMG_20200814_184817.jpg

    This is the drill bit I used; it drilled through the non-fouler surprisingly easily and the size is perfect for the sensor (1/2").
    IMG_20200814_203644.jpg


    And this worked PERFECTLY! After some city and freeway driving all monitors except EVAP (which can take days to complete) were OK with no DTCs and it passed the smog test!

    So if you have a P0420 and are too cheap to replace the cat (and rebuild the engine to fix the oil or coolant burning if you don't want it to kill the new cat) I highly recommend you try this and only this hack because it just works and is pretty easy to do.

    If you can wait a week then instead of drilling spark plug non-foulers, you can find oxygen sensor spacers on ebay which are designed for this purpose. You could try an angled one so that the sensor wires won't be squashed against the heat shield. There are also ones that have a miniature catalytic converter built in, but since they work without them it's probably unnecessary.

    In my case the smog test needed to be done as soon as possible as it was overdue so it's nice that you can hack fix the CEL and pass the smog test within one day by drilling spark plug non-foulers from any auto parts store.
     
  2. hill

    hill High Fiber Member

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    I know that the smog checks now just jack into the OBD port, but it would be interesting to see what the difference in numbers would be via a tailpipe type reading.
    EDIT
    . . . Not to be an illegality Nazi or anything like that, as I did my own license plate copy/mod, but you might want to add to your post that although unlikely, getting caught, could involve a good-sized fine.

    .
     
  3. anonymous

    anonymous Member

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    I wonder why they don't do that anymore, as it's pretty easy to hack the OBD system.
     
  4. Dr_DLH

    Dr_DLH Member

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    You did not state that you had to drill the small holes in the O2 as pictured.. None of the Prius O2 sensors have them holes…
     
  5. anonymous

    anonymous Member

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    uh, what? I did not drill the sensor.

    This mod failed a year later so I "upgraded" it to an L-shaped spacer from ebay. but it's a dirty hack for turning a blind eye to a messed up combustion/emissions system that needs a complete overhaul. leaking head gasket, burning/leaking oil, bad/clogged cat, blown flange gasket, shit stinks, but too lazy/cheap/ignorant/depressed to bother with it
     
  6. Dr_DLH

    Dr_DLH Member

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    Ok the oem sensor doesn’t have the 3 holes like yours? Also I can’t find that L adaptor…
     
  7. JSB_99

    JSB_99 Member

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    My Amazon link would not post but search for
    M18x1.5 Thread Adapter 41mm Brass Fitting Universal Connector Plug

    I had to re-use one of the non foulers I previously had on mine because I could not get the adapter to tighten up in the cat correctly. I screwed one non fouler in to the cat, the adapter into that non fouler and then the sensor into the adapter. Been about 6K miles and so far so good.
     
  8. anonymous

    anonymous Member

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    This is the OEM sensor.

    Hmm weird, you used to be able to easily find them on ebay with "o2 spacer" or other relevant keywords, but now nothing turns up at all :confused:

    This is the kit I got, a year ago. The L-shaped one is ideal but it came with another spacer for some reason, but using them together is too much.
    IMG_20210727_144027.jpg IMG_20210730_120615.jpg Ignore the red silicode mess
     
  9. Garethh

    Garethh Junior Member

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    Would this spacer work on a Gen2?
     
  10. 99dan99

    99dan99 New Member

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    I have a stealth p0420 fix that can't be detected. Those antifoulers will fail a smog if the tech sees it. My fix works and it's undetectable. I will modify your O2 sensor or you can send yours in for modification. Check out my YT
    If this isn't allowed please let me know. I'm just trying to save people from having to buy a way over priced new cat. Thanks
     
  11. 99dan99

    99dan99 New Member

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    Sorry but what I meant is I can modify your downstream o2 or I can sell you a modified o2
     
  12. PriusTime

    PriusTime Junior Member

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    That YT vid is worthless AI voice over stock imagery that provides zero details. What modifications are you making?
     
  13. douglasjre

    douglasjre Senior Member

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    I got the right angle one but it puts the wire of the oxygen sensor right up near the exhaust pipe
     
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  14. douglasjre

    douglasjre Senior Member

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    I got about 14 of my friends to buy Priuses and one of them gave me his catalytic converter. I'm so glad that money indicated light is finally off
     
  15. vkolli

    vkolli Junior Member

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    After the theft of two catalytic converters in less than a year span at two different places, I am done replacing it with OEM Cats. I installed supposedly EPA approved Cat from eBay, but the P0420 code never went away. I am in CA and smog is due soon. So I am planning to go through the O2 sensor spacer route. I am planning to buy this spacer to avoid drilling. Can anyone who has done this comment on if these specifications (46.5mm length) would work for Gen3.
    1, Would I have enough space for the O2 sensor and cables. I would like to avoid L shaped ones that make them even more obvious at the smog check.
    2, Also, this is just a spacer, does not have the mini catalyst as some others have. Do I need those or would just the spacer suffice for Gen 3 prius?
    3, I have to DIY it as no one in CA would install these for me. Is it a straight screw in job? Any tips?

    (Don't know how to upload an image, so attached as a file)
    [​IMG]
     

    Attached Files:

    #15 vkolli, Jun 21, 2024
    Last edited: Jun 21, 2024
  16. anonymous

    anonymous Member

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    With the non-foulers the wires rub against the heat shield and will wear through and short circuit. But looks like that one sticks out less so maybe it will fit.

    If they're gonna look underneath and they know what they're looking for then I don't think it matters what it looks like. Any spacer would be obvious.

    I don't know if the mini cat does anything but it's not needed. The idea is to simulate the oxygen buffering of a good cat by delaying the gas circulaton through the sensor.

    Different spacers perform differently and you might get a P0139 if you've overdone it. Different oxygen sensors might also perform differently. I've had to swap an original sensor from gen 3 with L spacer and half original cat, with new cheap ebay sensor for gen2 with new cheap ebay cat cause they were getting p0139 and p0137 respectively, and swapping made them both pass. *shrug* (It's 2024 and you still can't use unicode emojis on this site? (n))
     
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  17. anonymous

    anonymous Member

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    You can still find o2 spacers on Aliexpress since they're banned on ebay and amazon
     
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  18. douglasjre

    douglasjre Senior Member

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    Wow it sounds like theft is a real problem where you are
     
  19. vkolli

    vkolli Junior Member

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    Thank you. My smog check is due and I want to get it done in the next couple of weeks. Can you tell me the best way to go about getting ready for the smog test. After installing the spacers, do I clear the codes and wait to see what happens after I complete my drive cycle, or do I Iet the codes clear themselves after the drive cycle. When would I know if the spacer is working. If I clear the codes manually, how long does it take for the P0420 or P0139 codes to return? Ideally I would like to know as early as possible if the spacer is working and not wait for the drive cycle to complete, so I could try something else.
    Also, what is the best way to tell that I completed my drive cycle and I am ready for Smog (assuming the codes don't come back).
     
  20. Priipriii

    Priipriii Member

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    I also have the dreaded p0420. My question about this solution is how will it affect the engine performance? The polution is not of a concern for me, but having a clogged cat is going to restrict exhaust flow. Which will force pressure back into the engine, no? In other words, bad mpg and potentially causing some components to fail from additional pressure build up.

    I am wondering if cleaning the cat instead could be more of a permanent fix. Either by cutting it off and placing it in soap with water, or by spraying cleaning solutions (brake cleaner, etc.) through the O2 port with the engine running. I would avoid using anything that goes through the fuel. Yes they would work, but theyll also potentially damage your fuel pumps/line O rings, and in my case, it cleaned off and dug a hole in my headgasket and caused it to fail the same week i tried it.

    Im happy i dont live in a state that forces a smog test nor vehicle inspections. Im more just annoyed of seeing the check engine light if im going to be honest. Im wondering if straight piping would give the prius better or worse fuel mileage.