Need PO101 help

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Smallblock
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Need PO101 help

Post by Smallblock »

My Blazer set this code today and has 1/2 the power it usually does.
What is this chart telling me? It's over my head. lol Is there anything strikingly wrong? Should i start by cleaning the maf sensor?
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'02 2dr 2wd 5 speed Blazer (new daily driver)
'82 S10 383ci (neglected toy:(
'92 Sonoma 4.3 auto (For sale)
'00 S10 2.2 Auto (sold)
'82 S10 305ci (wrecked)
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Re: Need PO101 help

Post by F9K9 »

Smallblock wrote:............Should i start by cleaning the maf sensor?...........
That would be the cheapest route to start your investigation of the cause.
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Re: Need PO101 help

Post by Smallblock »

just checked the air cleaner. it was a lot dirtier than I would like it to be. It's just a stock fram paper filter.
'02 2dr 2wd 5 speed Blazer (new daily driver)
'82 S10 383ci (neglected toy:(
'92 Sonoma 4.3 auto (For sale)
'00 S10 2.2 Auto (sold)
'82 S10 305ci (wrecked)
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Re: Need PO101 help

Post by HenryJ »

P0101 solved
How's your cat?

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If at first you don't succeed - Don't take up Skydiving!
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Re: Need PO101 help

Post by Smallblock »

No idea. How would I know if its bad? The blazer has 175,000 on it.
'02 2dr 2wd 5 speed Blazer (new daily driver)
'82 S10 383ci (neglected toy:(
'92 Sonoma 4.3 auto (For sale)
'00 S10 2.2 Auto (sold)
'82 S10 305ci (wrecked)
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Re: Need PO101 help

Post by HenryJ »

Read that thread I linked. Pull your O2 sensors and see if it runs better. A muffler shop can drill a small hole to check pressure before and after the cat. An IR temperature gauge can also be helpful diagnosing proper function.

"Speed doesn't kill, suddenly becoming stationary does." - Richard Hammond
"Speed is just a matter of Money - How fast do YOU want to go?"-Mechanic from Mad Max-
If at first you don't succeed - Don't take up Skydiving!
- ThunderII KE7CSK
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Re: Need PO101 help

Post by Smallblock »

Oh, I missed the link when I read your post...
I'll tackle this job Friday evening. In the mean time i'm going to have to resort to driving a Ranger till I get this thing fixed. :cry:
'02 2dr 2wd 5 speed Blazer (new daily driver)
'82 S10 383ci (neglected toy:(
'92 Sonoma 4.3 auto (For sale)
'00 S10 2.2 Auto (sold)
'82 S10 305ci (wrecked)
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Re: Need PO101 help

Post by HenryJ »

A relief in back pressure may solve the problem. There are several ways to do that. I'm not sure which will work for you.

"Speed doesn't kill, suddenly becoming stationary does." - Richard Hammond
"Speed is just a matter of Money - How fast do YOU want to go?"-Mechanic from Mad Max-
If at first you don't succeed - Don't take up Skydiving!
- ThunderII KE7CSK
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Re: Need PO101 help

Post by Smallblock »

I have a digital infrared thermometer and after letting the blazer warm up a few minutes pointed it in front of the cat. The thermometer errored out because it only reads to 230 degrees and I guess it was hotter than that. After the cat was only 130.
I think but not sure I hear a crackleing sound from the cat?
'02 2dr 2wd 5 speed Blazer (new daily driver)
'82 S10 383ci (neglected toy:(
'92 Sonoma 4.3 auto (For sale)
'00 S10 2.2 Auto (sold)
'82 S10 305ci (wrecked)
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Re: Need PO101 help

Post by HenryJ »

Sounds like a real problem. The cat should be about 100 degrees hotter after the cat and make no noises. I think you found your problem.
Replacement with another high flow cat is the best option. It is also the most expensive and legal.
Chop it out and install a testing tube is another. Chop, broomstick and clamp back together is the cheapest. Neither of these are legal as they alter the emissions system and the emissions cops will disapprove.

You know what will work for your locale.

"Speed doesn't kill, suddenly becoming stationary does." - Richard Hammond
"Speed is just a matter of Money - How fast do YOU want to go?"-Mechanic from Mad Max-
If at first you don't succeed - Don't take up Skydiving!
- ThunderII KE7CSK
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Re: Need PO101 help

Post by Smallblock »

I just rechecked it more warmed up and this time pre cat was off my thermometer once again and behind the cat was 172ish. I can't really tell if the crackleing sound is from the cat or my throw out bearing making noise.
I guess tomorrow i'll spend most of the day trying to get the cat hollowed out and worry about the ses light later. :roll: I have to have this thing to drive 180 miles a day to and from work.
'02 2dr 2wd 5 speed Blazer (new daily driver)
'82 S10 383ci (neglected toy:(
'92 Sonoma 4.3 auto (For sale)
'00 S10 2.2 Auto (sold)
'82 S10 305ci (wrecked)
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Re: Need PO101 help

Post by HenryJ »

Pre-cat...there is your problem. I know of at least ten that failed. Cut it out and tube it. You can pass emissions without it and later models did not have the problematic pre-cats. The main cat will do all you need.
The pictures of mine were lost on the old server :(
It was ugly. Precat failure
I used a couple big block exhaust flanges and a piece of pipe to repair mine. Mileage was much improved and it ran much better too.

"Speed doesn't kill, suddenly becoming stationary does." - Richard Hammond
"Speed is just a matter of Money - How fast do YOU want to go?"-Mechanic from Mad Max-
If at first you don't succeed - Don't take up Skydiving!
- ThunderII KE7CSK
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Re: Need PO101 help

Post by Smallblock »

when I say pre cat i meant before the main converter. I wasn't realizing the small one toward the engine was actually a "pre cat"
What im actually trying to say is the exhaust directly in front of the main cat is way hotter than the pipe immediately after the cat.
'02 2dr 2wd 5 speed Blazer (new daily driver)
'82 S10 383ci (neglected toy:(
'92 Sonoma 4.3 auto (For sale)
'00 S10 2.2 Auto (sold)
'82 S10 305ci (wrecked)
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Re: Need PO101 help

Post by HenryJ »

Little confusion on my part. Pre-cats are a know problem. The little one before the main is a pre-cat. Designed to heat up faster and get a jump on emissions warm up. Nice idea, but...kinda dumb.

Get busy and cut the pipe. Take a pic. I am looking for volcanic rock in there in place of clean honeycomb.

"Speed doesn't kill, suddenly becoming stationary does." - Richard Hammond
"Speed is just a matter of Money - How fast do YOU want to go?"-Mechanic from Mad Max-
If at first you don't succeed - Don't take up Skydiving!
- ThunderII KE7CSK
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Re: Need PO101 help

Post by Smallblock »

I'm hoping it's plugged pretty good so I didn't ruin my cat for nothing.
My 92 s10 was plugged so much that there was barely any exhaust coming out of the tail pipe. On this one there is exhaust coming out but i cant tell if its any less than usual. I guess the temp test is tale tell though.
'02 2dr 2wd 5 speed Blazer (new daily driver)
'82 S10 383ci (neglected toy:(
'92 Sonoma 4.3 auto (For sale)
'00 S10 2.2 Auto (sold)
'82 S10 305ci (wrecked)
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Re: Need PO101 help

Post by HenryJ »

You don't have to ruin it. Cut far enough away to use a band clamp to put it back together if it is clean. Cheap easy fix.

"Speed doesn't kill, suddenly becoming stationary does." - Richard Hammond
"Speed is just a matter of Money - How fast do YOU want to go?"-Mechanic from Mad Max-
If at first you don't succeed - Don't take up Skydiving!
- ThunderII KE7CSK