Split Flange Exhaust leak, best way to fix? (Previously: Check Engine Light just came on randomly?)

Hey Guys,

So today when driving home from the carwash my CEL came on randomly. Ive never seen it illuminated since I have owned the truck. I took the truck over to autozone and the OBD reader did not connect to the truck, so they weren't able to get the code for me. I am not sure if it was their reader or my truck? I have had the truck OBD scanned before when I was trying to figure out the ABS light and had no issues. I pulled the ABS codes by using a paper clip, and I do not think I damaged the OBD port on the truck. I am thinking that it is a blown fuse because the the bottom two 12v outlets are out, I think they may be connected.


Anyways, I will check the fuses tomorrow morning when its light out.

The truck drive normally, no loss of power, temperature is normal, idle is at the normal RPM's. However I did notice that the idle sounds a little rough. I took a short video to see if anyone has heard that noise before.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k3uEdVO6KJ8&feature=youtu.be

The only things that have recently changed on my truck recently are:
-New clutch and flywheel (two weeks ago)
-Sprayed a rear portion of the frame with fluid film near gas tank to protect frame until I can properly paint it. (Today)

I did check the gas cap and it was on all the way. The only thing I can think of is that I havent replaced the spark plus since I bought the truck.

144k on the truck currently

I just wanted to see if I can get some guidance.

Thanks

 

Could be a fuse to the OBDII...theres some threads on the gen 2's that say the fuse is under the hood fuse box But I dont know about gen 1. Getting the code # is going to be helpful. So try to get the OBDII reader to work. Could be a dirty MAF sensor, O2 sensor or egr valve if equipped...Hopefully theres a code in the computer which if it kicked a light there should be.

 

try disconnecting your battery for 15 minutes or so as suggested in this thread

 

also check pin 16 for power. just need a test light or a wire and your map/dome light and a ground.

 

Thanks guys, I'll try that tomorrow morning. I'm going to look at the fuses and disconnect battery too

 

Funny you should say that your two bottom 12V outlets are out. So are mine but I don't have the check engine light on only the stupid ABS light won't go off. I just found that odd the two bottom outlets don't work but that top outlet does

 

Yeah one of my wheel sensors is messed up, lit up like a xmas tree right now

 

That's what mine is too. The sensor. I was changing a CV axle and used a zip tie instead of a coat hanger or bungee cord to hang the brake caliper up out of the way. And it broke and the caliper fell and pulled on the sensor. I think that's what happened. The ABS light has been on for probably 2 years!

 

Welp the obd has its own fuse



And it's blown

 

Alright so I got the code pulled off of it and it's a P0420 code, it's something to do with the catalytic converter. It's reading "P0420 Catalyst efficiency below normal"

I was looking at the catalytic converters and they don't look like they are damaged at all

 

After looking farther into it, I found that I have an exhaust leak right before the o2 sensor. Looks like I need to get a new gasket or something



The flange is split

 

Id change the O2 sensors before the the cat....its a lot cheaper...

 

The reason why it is coding is there is an exhaust leak at the flange between the rear cat and o2. The flange is split

 

hes just going to change a gasket that costs 3 dollars. 8 from parts stores. pretty sure that's the cheapest way to go.

if you can, Tjsingle26, beat the flange back into its proper form. that will help.

and just to make sure. did you feel air coming out while it was running?

 

Yeah I felt exhaust coming from the split in the flange. I will have to beat the crap out of it to get it back straight

 

Id say 60% blows out the tail pipe and 40% out of the busted flange connection

 

do you have a torch and either an anvil or a big bench vise with a flat anvil face at the back? heat it up and beat it down!

 

I do have some vice grip pliers but not a bench mounted one. Unfortunately this will be a parking lot repair since I am at college right now

 

and you can get away with torching it with a propane torch from your favorite hardware store

 

College? your college doesn't have an autoshop?