[BobnBev]

Originally Posted by mtdjed

This subject is regarding Catalytic Converter problems and Engine Check Lights.

My Subaru Forester had a check engine light come on with code P0420. I won't go into my delay in getting it serviced but want to pass on that it meant that my Catalytic Converter was defective. It did not affect the car drivability but perhaps affected the MPG by some amount. But if you go to sell it will adversely affect price.

Two Things:

1/ Warranty for this item is drive train or 80,000 miles. I am at 78237.
2/ Bill Bryant price for repair and replacement $1500. My price $0 because I am under 80,000.
3/Asked Subaru rep what causes failure and was told excess fuel entering catalytic converter is one cause. Common way is consumer putting too much fuel in tank. When nozzle clicks off, many fuelers nurse more fuel into tank (up to a gallon). This fuel is not used for driving but is disposed thru a vapor canister which then sends raw fuel to engine and then not burned to cat Converter where it helps fail the converter.

4/ So if you believe this, the extra fuel pumped does nothing to give you more miles per tank but may be harmful. I checked Google and found some disagreement with this, but I won the mileage race and will not squeeze extra gas into the tank.

JED

Very interesting, thank you for posting.