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View Full Version : Check engine, catalytic converter fault


angel888
10-31-2010, 02:31 AM
Hi guys,

I recently have had my car checked because the check engine was one and i got 3 codes : 51, which is shutoff valve activated charcoal filter, 254 tank leak detection, major leak and 233 catalytic converter. The mechanic told me that the 233 is a major issue is it true ? what is it exactly ? And what about the others ? Also, he erased the codes and now the check engine light is off.

Thanks a lot.
slocar
10-31-2010, 03:19 AM
If the codes aren't coming back, I wouldn't really say it's a "major issue". And to be honest with you, I wouldn't be surprised if the cat. converter code was triggered by the initial fault with the evaporative system/charcoal canister. If the light/codes do eventually come back, I'd address the issue with the charcoal canister (whatever it may be) before touching the catalytic converter ... last thing you want to do is blow a grand on a new one and then end up with the same code.
strad
10-31-2010, 10:39 AM
Your mechanic should have made you aware that different codes take different numbers of cycles to be set. So just because the light is now off, doesn't mean it's not well on its way to getting turned back on.

I would fix all the other codes before I'd touch the cat.
fun2drive
10-31-2010, 12:27 PM
It sounds like whoever is driving this car or has driven this car has a habit of topping the tank off which is what caused these codes except for the cat code.
When the tank clicks off stop filling it up. If you don't do that whoever owned before surely did.

BMW cats are first rate but only last so long. I would drive the car and see if the OBD code comes back. If so start looking for a good used one or for a quality replacement. I have 278K miles on my cats but then I don't live in cold climates.

Do a little reseach on the cats here. I recall that there was a thread that discussed replacement cats aftermarket that seem to be well accepted. Best to learn about this since BMW cats are so expensive. Also BavAuto has them so check them out too.
Factory new cats a so expensive even from our good vendors that you will spend a fortune...