I just picked up a 2002 EX 4 door with 117,000 miles for my daughter from a friend. The car had a few issues that the previous owner informed me of. I took the car to get diagnose and got the error code P1361(TDC Sensor) and P0420(Catalyst system efficiency below threshold (bank1). Took it to my mechanic and had the following done.

Replace TDC Sensor
Replace Alternator
Valve cover gasket
New Battery
New Tires
Oil Change
Timing belt was replace within the last year by previous owner,

Once all the above was done he ran the scan and no error codes no more error codes. On the way home I called him to tell the car was running great and at that time the engine light came on. Had it diagnose again and the P0420(Catalyst system efficiency below threshold (bank1).

So i took the car to Midas so the could examine the catalytic converter and the oxygen sensor since it was free. Determined it was a bad converter so called my mechanic he suggested just have them replace because the price plus i had coupon for additional 20.00 off

I drove the car around and it was riding great. I gave the car to daughter she drove to her mother house no problem. The next day she drove to the a few stores and then the mall no problems. When she was ready to come home the car would start but the idle was really low. I met her at the mall started the car sounded like it die idle really low. I give it gas and nothing. So I called my mechanic and he told me to bring it in. The car would not pass 10 mph. When I got there my mechanic came out looked and could not see anything wrong but did mention he heard a hissing sound like a vacuum hose was loose but could not see anything. Any ideas ??

Thanks

Mig

 

My mechanic just called and said it was the Timing belt it jumped 2 teeth. He stated it looks like a piece of the bottom cover broke off and fell into timing belt causing the problem. He replaced the bottom cover and will show me the old cover.

 

Ah, well, that's certainly a lot cheaper than a new cat.

Thanks for the update.