Need help about the problem with emission

[Zeo]

My friend has a lincoln and it was around 120,000 miles. I suggested him to use STP complete concentrated fuel system cleaner (12oz) one. I actually bought one for him. After using the cleaner, the car has converter and engine light on problem. The car smell bad. He was not complaining that to me (well once). But I feel really bad. If I didn't gave him that STP, there wouldn't be the problem.
Any suggestions or what do you think why the STP ruin the car?
My friend's inspection ticket is going to expire next march. If the problem don't get fixed by that time, the car won't be passed the inspection. Does he need to replace the converter or something else? It smell really bad (like heavy gasoline smell when you in and around the car).
are there Any other additives that can help with this problem?
Thank you

 

[CBDFrontier06]

Sure wished you'd asked about that stuff here BEFORE you put it in someone's gas tank. My dad put some in my Mom's Accord and the car immediately threw what I call a '________ fit'.

My best guess is that it might have caused a problem with the oxygen sensor. That's normally a starting point when emission systems become problematic, as replacing old ones usually clear up emission issues and improve gas mileage. It's basically a mechanism that reads what's in the exaust and tells the computer what needs to be done to the air / fuel mixuture. When they're defective, they can send unwarranted signals to the computer, telling it to do odd things with the mixture, therefore causing poor performance. Have him try that first and see where it takes him.

 

[Zeo]

We are kinda sure the converter need to be replaced. As his another good friend (Mechanician) said so. But he is poor, the converter replacement may cost around 500 bucks. I am looking there is easy way and also unexpensive way to fix the problem. The car smell bad when the engine is on, especially if you stand at the rare of the car.

 

[Zeo]

Thanks CBDFrontier06. I will suggest this to him... How much you think the replacement cost?

 

[CBDFrontier06]

It varies from car to car...some have heated O2 sensors, some don't. Give Auto Zone a call with make / model and VIN if you have it.

 

[Smoky14]

Most converter burn outs are the result of a problem not the cause. Too much raw fuel getting to the converter. Time for a good trouble shooter.

 

[psudaytona]

I really doubt you adding STP caused these systems to fail. They were likely very much shot BEFORE the additives went in and it happened to occur.

Here is something that happened to me on Oct 15. I added Redline Fuel System Cleaner on Oct 14 and drove about 15 miles. Well, that following sunday morning I started my car and the check engine came on. It was a 41 code(alternator field). Eventualy within a week the alt failed totally and I had to have it swapped. By that logic I could say redline killed the alt somehow because I NEVER had trouble with it until the day after redline.
I dont believe at all that this was the case, the alt was 183K miles and 15 years old. It just unfortunately happened to die on that day.

STP isnt a very powerful cleaner and in my opinion isnt likely enough to make a car that angry. This is a very commonly sold additive on every shelf, if this was a common O2 or cat killer we would deffinately know about it. As smoky said, I think something else was throwing too much fuel or something else to the O2 and flooded the cat with fuel. Cat converters are pretty tough as they have a required warranty period.

 

[Zeo]

Well, I really don't know..... I agree with you that. Probably something died coinstantaneous.
Should I try other additive to see if I get luck?

 

[psudaytona]

You could try redline SI-1, its pretty strong. But it sounds like a mechanical problem really, bad O2 or dead cat.

 

[punisher]

Pull codes first to actually get some info to narrow down the problem. As stated above a faulty cat can often be the end result of another problem.

A bad/suphur/rotten egg smell does not always mean a faulty cat. We have had cases of bad fuel, faulty PCM calibrations and even a faulty air injection system on one cause problems with a cat converter smell.

I know it goes against the grain of this forum, but I have yet to see any additive help/cure a cat converter problem.

 

[porcupine73]

What year is this lincoln? The thing might have been so dirty inside that it flushed a lot of crud through the exhaust and coated the O2 sensor with it.

Does that vehicle have both a front and a rear O2 sensor? Because the rear O2 sensor would be the one determining whether it thinks that cat(s) are bad. The front would be for A/F ratio control.

If that O2 sensor was never replaced before, then at 120k miles it was due anyway. I've used that STP many times before with no issues, but like the redline much better.

 

[Zeo]

it is 1999 model.

Thanks all

 

[Tosh]

Zeo: Are you really willing to take on this car's problems? It sounds like you are feeling guilty about giving it STP, but I believe the consensus is that it was a coincidence, thereby relieving your conscience. And it sounds like he has a mechanic already?
If you're still going to take on the project of getting this car to pass inspection, you will need to start the troubleshooting from the beginning: tune-up, basic timing, valve clearance, compression check, etc.

 

[Zeo]

Hi Tosh.
Yes, I feel guilty everytime my friend come with his "Stinky car". I don't own the car, I can do nothing but little suggestion to him may be good...
I will see what will happen.

Thanks guys and gals