CEL After Header Install

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 05-07-2007, 11:16 PM
  #1  
Missing my
Thread Starter
 
tnobori1's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Discovery Bay, CA
Age: 44
Posts: 1,319
Received 22 Likes on 15 Posts
CEL After Header Install

Okay, I know that it is common for the CEL light to come on after header install if the O2 sensor gets grease on it, but I have a few more questions... The CEL light came on upon first startup after header install. I drove the car around the block, then parked and reset the ECU but the light stayed on. I read enough other threads that said that it is usually the O2 sensor, but shouldn't my gas mileage be in the toilet? I really haven't noticed a decrease in mpg(its about 23-24 with combo driving), if anything its slightly higher than before(which is what I expected). I don't want to replace the O2 sensor if its not necessary, but at $3.87 a gallon, I don't exactly want to fuck around burning gas either! Any ideas? Input? Thanks!
Old 05-08-2007, 12:10 AM
  #2  
upgrade
 
mohaukachi's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: eagle rock, ca
Age: 43
Posts: 181
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
cant say i know the answer, however im curious how the XS headers do in cali with emissions and carb and whatnot.
Old 05-08-2007, 01:55 AM
  #3  
Moderator Alumnus
 
BigLizard's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Pacific Northwest, blah.
Age: 42
Posts: 8,125
Received 11 Likes on 7 Posts
Change the o2 sensor as soon as possible. It can make your car either run too rich or too lean and it will make the cat go bad...OEM new cats are over $1000. Don't think you would like to spend that when you can change that part for less than $20.
Old 05-08-2007, 02:29 AM
  #4  
Unregistered user
iTrader: (2)
 
LIPPSTUH's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Irvine
Posts: 5,686
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes on 3 Posts
i read that intake and/or headers will increase your MPG. awesome huh? it "decreases" because people are so excited about their new mods and love to hear/feel it!
Old 05-08-2007, 07:28 AM
  #5  
Senior Moderator
iTrader: (2)
 
fuzzy02CLS's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: South FL
Age: 48
Posts: 16,847
Received 223 Likes on 184 Posts
What code is it? That's the first step.
Old 05-08-2007, 09:33 AM
  #6  
Missing my
Thread Starter
 
tnobori1's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Discovery Bay, CA
Age: 44
Posts: 1,319
Received 22 Likes on 15 Posts
Originally Posted by GreenMachine
Change the o2 sensor as soon as possible. It can make your car either run too rich or too lean and it will make the cat go bad...OEM new cats are over $1000. Don't think you would like to spend that when you can change that part for less than $20.
I guess thats what I better do then! Thanks for the heads up!
Old 05-08-2007, 09:34 AM
  #7  
Missing my
Thread Starter
 
tnobori1's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Discovery Bay, CA
Age: 44
Posts: 1,319
Received 22 Likes on 15 Posts
Originally Posted by fuzzy02CLS
What code is it? That's the first step.
Also a good point, I just found out that Autozone does free readings, so I'll go check that out. Thanks!
Old 05-08-2007, 09:36 AM
  #8  
Missing my
Thread Starter
 
tnobori1's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Discovery Bay, CA
Age: 44
Posts: 1,319
Received 22 Likes on 15 Posts
Originally Posted by mohaukachi
cant say i know the answer, however im curious how the XS headers do in cali with emissions and carb and whatnot.
There's no CARB sticker, but I've never had anyone check under my hood during a smog check before anyway. Emissions should be fine, I mean, it's just pipes and they're Comptech knock-offs so it should be fine. I guess I'm taking a risk.

**Sorry for the three consecutive posts, I didn't know how to quote three different posts in the same reply.
Old 05-08-2007, 09:45 AM
  #9  
Team Owner
iTrader: (1)
 
mrsteve's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Leesburg, Virginia
Age: 41
Posts: 36,474
Received 249 Likes on 175 Posts
Originally Posted by fuzzy02CLS
What code is it? That's the first step.

It could be a complete coincidence. It's not a bad idea if you're modifying cars to invest in an OBD-II scan tool. They aren't expensive.
Old 05-08-2007, 10:22 AM
  #10  
Lives in Boost
 
CL-Future's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Chicago
Posts: 902
Received 51 Likes on 41 Posts
Originally Posted by mrsteve
It could be a complete coincidence. It's not a bad idea if you're modifying cars to invest in an OBD-II scan tool. They aren't expensive.
Where's the port located that you hook the scan tool up to? I have a check engine light I wanna check out before going to the dealership...
Old 05-08-2007, 11:04 AM
  #11  
Senior Moderator
iTrader: (2)
 
fuzzy02CLS's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: South FL
Age: 48
Posts: 16,847
Received 223 Likes on 184 Posts
Auto's are behind the little panel under the "not an ashtray" thing
6mt's are under the dash just to the right of the steering wheel
Old 05-08-2007, 12:23 PM
  #12  
Senior Moderator
 
fsttyms1's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Appleton WI
Age: 49
Posts: 81,383
Received 3,063 Likes on 2,119 Posts
Originally Posted by fuzzy02CLS
What code is it? That's the first step.
Agree!!!

Originally Posted by fuzzy02CLS
Auto's are behind the little panel under the "not an ashtray" thing
6mt's are under the dash just to the right of the steering wheel
I moved mine to where the autos are
Old 05-08-2007, 05:11 PM
  #13  
Missing my
Thread Starter
 
tnobori1's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Discovery Bay, CA
Age: 44
Posts: 1,319
Received 22 Likes on 15 Posts
Originally Posted by mrsteve
It could be a complete coincidence. It's not a bad idea if you're modifying cars to invest in an OBD-II scan tool. They aren't expensive.
Cool thanks! Any idea how much one of those is?
Old 05-08-2007, 05:39 PM
  #14  
Moderator Alumnus
 
BigLizard's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Pacific Northwest, blah.
Age: 42
Posts: 8,125
Received 11 Likes on 7 Posts
Originally Posted by tnobori1
Cool thanks! Any idea how much one of those is?
I've seen them on ebay for 100 bucks or less.
Old 05-08-2007, 05:51 PM
  #15  
Recently turned 18
 
Blitz's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Atlanta GA
Posts: 1,407
Received 5 Likes on 5 Posts
Damn, DeJaVu. Came here to read up and post this same problem. Found it right there on the home page. Guess it's not as "off" as I thought it might be. Welp, time to dump more money.
Old 05-09-2007, 12:01 AM
  #16  
Missing my
Thread Starter
 
tnobori1's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Discovery Bay, CA
Age: 44
Posts: 1,319
Received 22 Likes on 15 Posts
Originally Posted by Blitz
Damn, DeJaVu. Came here to read up and post this same problem. Found it right there on the home page. Guess it's not as "off" as I thought it might be. Welp, time to dump more money.
You're mileage isn't affected either? Weird!

I am shooting over to Autozone tomorrow to find out the code for sure. Thanks again everyone for the help!
Old 05-09-2007, 12:33 AM
  #17  
Gonna cost to catch up
 
kyle77777's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Olympia, WA
Age: 40
Posts: 1,859
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Should be interesting to see why you have CEL, im sure it is the o2 sensor. Driving with a CEL on is no fun
Old 05-09-2007, 11:07 AM
  #18  
Recently turned 18
 
Blitz's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Atlanta GA
Posts: 1,407
Received 5 Likes on 5 Posts
Anyone have an idea of how much is involved in DIY the O2 sensor? If it's just a plug and a couple bolts I might as well order it and do it my damn self. We'll see what the "stealership" says.
Old 05-09-2007, 11:17 AM
  #19  
Missing my
Thread Starter
 
tnobori1's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Discovery Bay, CA
Age: 44
Posts: 1,319
Received 22 Likes on 15 Posts
Those fuckers at Autozone don't do free CEL readings in Cali for some stupid reason. Checked with Aamco and they said they would check it for free but are booked solid for the next week. Sigh... guess I better just change the damn O2 sensor and keep my fingers crossed. I'll probably order the reader too, but not til my next paycheck.
Old 05-09-2007, 04:09 PM
  #20  
Suzuka Master
iTrader: (4)
 
CleanCL's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: New York, USA
Posts: 5,679
Likes: 0
Received 12 Likes on 8 Posts
you guys put way too much effort into things.

o2s are like 60/per sensor

www.oxygensensors.com

for like $15 you can rent the scanner from autozone and just check it yourself. it would be stupid to replace parts without knowing the code.
Old 05-09-2007, 08:33 PM
  #21  
Missing my
Thread Starter
 
tnobori1's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Discovery Bay, CA
Age: 44
Posts: 1,319
Received 22 Likes on 15 Posts
Originally Posted by CleanCL
you guys put way too much effort into things.

o2s are like 60/per sensor

www.oxygensensors.com

for like $15 you can rent the scanner from autozone and just check it yourself. it would be stupid to replace parts without knowing the code.
Autozone does not rent those things out here in Cali for some unknown reason, and I don't have time during the week to run around to a bunch of different places. But I'm confused by your post... are you saying that I should just replace the O2 sensor or are you saying I would be stupid to replace it without knowing for sure that that was the problem?
Old 05-09-2007, 08:47 PM
  #22  
Suzuka Master
iTrader: (4)
 
CleanCL's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: New York, USA
Posts: 5,679
Likes: 0
Received 12 Likes on 8 Posts
i think it's stupid to replace parts when you dont know the code, and i also think it's stupid to pay 100 per sensor.
Old 05-09-2007, 09:09 PM
  #23  
Missing my
Thread Starter
 
tnobori1's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Discovery Bay, CA
Age: 44
Posts: 1,319
Received 22 Likes on 15 Posts
Gotcha
Old 05-09-2007, 10:00 PM
  #24  
Recently turned 18
 
Blitz's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Atlanta GA
Posts: 1,407
Received 5 Likes on 5 Posts
Ok. Let's hope a week's worth of driving won't F up the Cat while I wait on the part. I can do a sensor, I can't do a brand new Cat.
Old 05-10-2007, 07:31 AM
  #25  
Senior Moderator
iTrader: (2)
 
fuzzy02CLS's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: South FL
Age: 48
Posts: 16,847
Received 223 Likes on 184 Posts
For the cost of an O2 sensor buy yourself a scanner. You can get them on Ebay cheap, or even walmart. All you need is a basic ODBII scanner that reads & clears codes. If it is the 02 sensor, then at least you now have a scanner for future problems. And since it's OBDII you can use it on most any car out there. Rent it to your friends, recoup your investment.
Old 05-10-2007, 07:39 AM
  #26  
OG 3.x^7 rawr
iTrader: (5)
 
SPoolinspOON's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Centreville, VA
Age: 38
Posts: 685
Likes: 0
Received 5 Likes on 5 Posts
I got a OBDII scanner from snap on. It its in my pocket and payed $60. I let my freinds borrow it and have already payed for itself.

I wouldn't replace things unless you know what they are anyways, its just a waste of time and $ guessing and checking when you can just get the code and know what your problem is.
Old 05-10-2007, 07:47 AM
  #27  
OG 3.x^7 rawr
iTrader: (5)
 
SPoolinspOON's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Centreville, VA
Age: 38
Posts: 685
Likes: 0
Received 5 Likes on 5 Posts
What I ment to say was its small and fits in my pockets. It scans tells you the code and clears it. Very handy tool.
Old 05-10-2007, 10:03 AM
  #28  
Recently turned 18
 
Blitz's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Atlanta GA
Posts: 1,407
Received 5 Likes on 5 Posts
Which version is that? I see them on Autozone's website between $70-$380. I'm about to go check 'em out and ask some questions. Hope somebody that knows what the hell they're talking about is working today.
Old 05-12-2007, 05:00 AM
  #29  
Recently turned 18
 
Blitz's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Atlanta GA
Posts: 1,407
Received 5 Likes on 5 Posts
Fixed. Light gone.
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Yikes
2G TL (1999-2003)
35
05-03-2021 04:29 PM
NJALLDAY57
3G TL Problems & Fixes
21
10-13-2015 08:25 AM
CLsuperhero
Car Parts for Sale
16
09-23-2015 12:53 PM
JarrettLauderdale
2G CL Dynograph Gallery
5
09-21-2015 07:51 PM
TxRzrBk
3G TL Problems & Fixes
0
09-17-2015 01:07 PM



Quick Reply: CEL After Header Install



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 11:53 AM.