99SSHawaii

Hi, I have a 2000 SS M6 Camaro, basically with just a lid and catback. 74k miles, and have consistently been getting 150 miles to a full tank. Recently, my car has been pulling an SES code of p0137, what is strange however is the light goes off a day or two later (the light showed up twice so far). What steps should I take to diagnose this problem?

Lets see, I usually end up putting about 14 gallons in the tank when I fill it up, and at that point I have about 135 miles on the tank all together. So I figure about 150 miles give or take on it. Car seems to be running fine, aside from a rattling at low rpms like around 900-1200 rpm, and the p0137. I have cause to think its' the cats, but am unsure on the matter. In addition, my local dealership wants to charge me 120 bucks for the diagnostic fee, and will only cover the whole repair (cat warranty 8yr/80k) if they deem it neccesary. i.e. I get slammed with the 120$ fee if they don't think i need a new cat. In addition, it's virtually impossible to change my o2 sensors, I've tried, they won't come out, and the cats are in the way.(It's wierd though in that it looks like the cats on my car are welded on differently than they were in my two old 99 SS's, in that the cats are flipped to prevent access with a crescent wrench.... any tips?)


Thanks in advance.

2001NBMZ28

Dunno for sure. First thing I'd to is look up P0137 at gearchatter.com. Bad cats usually throw an inefficiency code - P0420 or P0430 depending on which bank it is, and sometimes rattle. P0137 is B1, S2 (drivers side, post cat) 02, check the wiring/connector or replace it if you don't find anything suspicious, shouldn't be hard w/stock cats. $120 diagnostic fee is outrageous. Is the "rattling" sound coming from the drivers side cat?

HeapaShifter

iTrader: (2)

I'm thinking your driver's side cat went bad.

When the exhaust is cold knock on the cat with the bottom of your fist. You'll probably hear the rattle. The cat probably broke up inside. The code is for the o2 sensor behind the cat on the driver's side. Check the wiring for that too.

FirebirdStud

iTrader: (5)

If it is the cat, drive it hard, then shut it off. Get underneath and listen to it. If it tings, pings, ect then you have a plugged cat. That is the best way to see if they are bad.

adillhoff

I had the same problem. Except it would only go off when I ran the car hard.

oifish

iTrader: (1)

EGR valve? . I had the same problem, 150-160 miles to a tank, a SES light on and off randomly. That could be your problem.

99SSHawaii

How do I go about fixing the EGR valve, if it indeed is the problem? is there a write up on this somewhere?

LILWS6

After i'm done running my car i can hear the exhaust clicking every once and a while my saturn used to to it too i just thought it was a gm thing is it really a sign of a plugged cat?

oifish

iTrader: (1)

Here is where it is at on an LT1: the back of the intake that bronze/copperish looking thing barely showing up



but your LS1 is different I believe but I did find a picture that may help:



hope some of this helps

99SSHawaii

Ok, I took off the EGR valve, and the inside of it was quite dirty (covered with carbon). The pintle did however still move, so I bolted it back up. Should I take some lectra-motive to it to clean it?

Is the EGR still the problem? or is it something else, and if so, what else?

oifish

iTrader: (1)

I heard that there is not too much you can do to clean an EGR. That is what a local mechanic told me at least.

I think that if this (EGR valve) isnt the problem. then what everybodys else has said (O2's ect..) is probably the culprit.