I Smell Rotten Eggs

What are P0420 and P0430 Codes?

You’re driving to see an old friend and you notice your car is running a little sluggish, is chewing up fuel, and has lost some power. The check engine light illuminates. You continue down the road and you notice a sulfur odor emitting from the vehicle. Do you have any idea what this could indicate? When in doubt, call Cary Car Care in Cary, NC at 919-380-0040. The experts will provide you with the answers to keep you safe on the road.

The most common cause of P0420 and P0430 codes that trigger a check engine light is a bad catalytic converter. The engine light notification includes additional possibilities including a faulty oxygen sensor to misfires. A catalytic converter breaks down harmful pollutants that are created by your vehicle during the combustion cycle and converts them to less harmful gasses.

P0420 indicates the catalytic converter is not functioning properly, increasing the output of harmful pollutants by the vehicle. Catalytic converters are exhaust emission control systems utilizing an oxidation reduction, a chemical reaction that involves a transfer of electrons with a gain or loss of electrons in the process.

P0430 is a system deficiency below a threshold. This is recognized as a moderate alert for the driver and can cause internal engine damage. The check engine light can be triggered by a faulty catalytic converter or oxygen sensor, which can be caused by an engine misfire or rich/lean air-fuel mixture.

When the check engine light illuminates for a faulty catalytic converter code P0420 and P0430 the driver may experience a check engine light illuminating, lack of power, decreased fuel economy, and rotten eggs or a sulfur smell emitting from the exhaust.

A catalytic converter contains a washcoat, a catalyst, and catalyst support. To fix a P0420 code requires advanced mechanical knowledge and to fix a P0430 code requires expert level skills to replace. Don’t take any chances. Take your vehicle to Cary Car Care in Cary, NC. The automotive experts at Cary Car Care will look at the code reading and fix the catalytic converter as quickly as possible. Please contact Cary Car Care at 919-380-0040 or stop by at 234 E. Johnson Street, Cary, NC 27513 to have your catalytic converter repaired or replaced.

Written by Cary Car Care