Catalyst System Efficiency (Blank 1), P0420

[Luke27Edwards]

Hello, I was wondering if someone may know the answer to this.

For the past week, I have had the yellow engine maintenance light on and everytime someone did the diagnostics on it, it kept saying it was the code P0420, Catalyst System Efficiency (Blank 1).

When getting it checked the first time, the garage took a look at the exhaust and catalyst system and couldn't see anything wrong with it and remove the alarm off.

The second time happened the following day and I called the AA and he did a check and said did the same test and it turned P0420, he said that every so often, the system get filled with something and to get rid of it, you rav the engine and you can smell an eggy smell. He told me that this will help.

Two days past and the light has returned, and I have my reasons to believe it's the P0420 code again.

What should I do? 

[SuperAygo]

Your catalytic convertor is below efficiency, basically it's not working as it should, clogged up with short journeys or old age probably. To fix it you have to replace it although there are some folk who say you can fix it by cleaning it out with washer detergent or by putting acetone in your fuel tank - none of either I'd recommend! On these cars the cat is welded to the manifold as one piece, I've just put one on mine cost £90 off eBay with fitting kit. I had to replace the O2 sensor too as it stripped the threads coming out. BTW You can buy a bluetooth ODB2 reader from eBay too and use the free Torque app on your phone to reset the engine light each time.