mvaldezss

iTrader: (2)

My SES light came on after installing an SLP LS6intake manifold but goes off and on again periodically. Car seems to run fine the only thing that i've noticed out of the ordinary other than the SES light is the exhaust makes a "popping" noise when i downshift (A4 Transmission) Ive been thinking it may be due to a leak in the EGR connection at the top of the manifold? But how would i be able to tell? Other than that plugs were installed with no problem no missfires there and exhaust has also been replaced with a Borla Cat back and Borla Y-pipe

AmDWs6

get it scanned, i'm thinking it's just a egr thing
did you get the rear O2's off? do you have catalyst's? or removed them?
all those could cause the SES light with different codes.
Scanning that will surely fix an issue if there really is one.

mvaldezss

iTrader: (2)

Got my car scanned, and the code that came up was p0420. I did a little research and this code means that there's something wrong with my catalytic converter (driver side) though to me this doesn't seem to make sense if the ses light came on after intake manifold install...

AmDWs6

P0420 Catalyst System Efficiency Below Threshold (Bank 1)

get it off clean it clear the code see if it comes back
it might have been a while since it was cleaned and those can really get alot of contamination in them specially oil.

what else if that doesn't work, replace it with a new one.

could be that when you downshift the popping noise that you hear is the cat hitting up which might have damaged it.

mvaldezss

iTrader: (2)

Get what cleaned, the manifold? Or should I just replace the driver side cat? Thanks for all the feedback, really hope I narrow this problem down so I can fix it quick!

sjsingle1

iTrader: (1)

did you use new gaskets? ........intake vacuum leak?

mvaldezss

iTrader: (2)

No I used the existing gaskets from the ls1 intake as they looked to be in good shape. Hadnt considered a vacuum leak due to them being in that shape. Though that is something ill look into. If i replace my gaskets do you think I should replace the spark plugs again too as I did so when I installed the LS6 intake the first time? Or should I not even bother with those?

dhctss

iTrader: (3)

You should of replaced gaskets there pressure sealed meaning no good after use. Its a vaccum leak. Why go threw all that trouble and chance it for 20$. Dont take it wrong way but you need to pull off and replace.

mvaldezss

iTrader: (2)

Dam! yea your probably right...not taking it the wrong way at all, just trying to fix the problem and whatever suggestions/insight that lead me to the answer are welcome. Just gonna be a pain in the *** taking the intake off and replacing the gasket then re-installing...

dhctss

iTrader: (3)

yeah man get some felpro gaskets. I went to pepboys and they had them for me the next day. The new ones will protrude about 1/4 inch. Im sure your ls1s were flat thus the vaccum leak. Easy fix. Just get some gaskets and that should do the trick . I know people who have sold there car because of the pain they are to work on. If you have big hands forget it lol. I remember my old supervisor nicknamed bannana fingers. No lie his hand was like a fist full of bannas lol

mvaldezss

iTrader: (2)

lol no banana hands, but I still HATE taking off and re-installing the Intake manifold. Do you think I should replace the spark plugs again while im at it? They probably have around 40k on them. Might just pay someone to do it for me!

dhctss

iTrader: (3)

lol,its cheap enough to pay someone. Its a pain in the *** getting them out. I had a lose when my headers were installed and it was ticking bad. I had to pull it out and reinstall. What a job it turned out. If they only have 40 k you should be fine for now. I just had a ls6 intake installed and I had all kinds of debris behind it was scared it was going to get in the cylinder head ports. Had to vacum out. All kinds of crap ie leaves, the helicopters from trees, and other crap. I am going to pick up my new heads tomorow. AI 243 226 cnc 63 cc . It was supposed to be a cam only project lol

mvaldezss

iTrader: (2)

Nice! It always seems like 1 mod leaves to another! Got one last question, if I were to change my driver side cat (due to the p0420 code) should I also change the passenger side cat?

dhctss

iTrader: (3)

Are you planning on doing headers in future? If I were you and couldnt afford headers right now look for a used cat on the classifieds in here. There is so many cars that people part out. Fbodys are slowly dying off. I would replace the bad one with the used one. Then when your ready for headers either go wth a ory or a cated y. If you are not doing headers then I would replace both because that way the other one doesnt clog or have any issues latter on. I remember I had a frozen caliper once so I just replaced it. The other one that was good froze 2 weeks latter. Not the same thing but same concept.

mvaldezss

iTrader: (2)

Nope no headers for the future, live in CA and do not want to mess with the exhaust so much, though i do already have a Borla y-pipe and Cat back exhaust. Just put the new cat on the driver side, Hope it works!...

mvaldezss

iTrader: (2)

fixed the problem a couple weeks ago, it was in fact the drivers side catalytic converter as the code p0420 denoted

Fourth-Gen Man

I'm glad you were able to figure out your problem. I too am pissed off right now because I installed a BBK intake manifold a few days ago and I just now got an ses light. I have to see what code it threw but I mean it seems to be running just fine. I know one thing is that if that manifold needs to come off for any reason I'm paying for it done. Not going through that hell again.