Tried the Lacquer Thinner Trick...OUCH now what?
Sorry, I haven't been on the site for a few days...
I agree with PA those temperatures seem too high and it would be a good idea to verify the catalyst isn't damaged.
Lacquer thinner is a strange cocktail of stuff, and I'd be afraid to recommend anyone putting that in their car. Damage to the sensor itself would set another code, not P0135. But I would not expect any magic snake oil to fix a broken preheater. The error code doesn't really indicate the sensor function was bad.
No error codes now, right? Blockage in the catalyst sounds like something you want to check out (hope it's not, but....).
I agree with PA those temperatures seem too high and it would be a good idea to verify the catalyst isn't damaged.
Lacquer thinner is a strange cocktail of stuff, and I'd be afraid to recommend anyone putting that in their car. Damage to the sensor itself would set another code, not P0135. But I would not expect any magic snake oil to fix a broken preheater. The error code doesn't really indicate the sensor function was bad.
No error codes now, right? Blockage in the catalyst sounds like something you want to check out (hope it's not, but....).
Super Moderator
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 18,398
From: Wisconsin
Yes, P0135 is for "primary heated O2 sensor heater circuit malfunction". That can include the heater resistance being far-enough off to set the code.
Other things can cause P0135, including a short or a break in the wiring that powers the heater, or a blown fuse, or the sensor simply being unplugged.
I wouldn't expect the lacquer thinner to cause the P0135. But it sounds like the P0135 happened first, and maybe that was the reason for putting thinner in the fuel. Then the lacquer thinner somehow damaged the catalyst.
Also, it's not a bad idea to see whether a bad tank of fuel is causing problems. But with the really high temperatures I don't know if it's a good idea to drive far enough to burn up that tank of fuel.
Other things can cause P0135, including a short or a break in the wiring that powers the heater, or a blown fuse, or the sensor simply being unplugged.
I wouldn't expect the lacquer thinner to cause the P0135. But it sounds like the P0135 happened first, and maybe that was the reason for putting thinner in the fuel. Then the lacquer thinner somehow damaged the catalyst.
Also, it's not a bad idea to see whether a bad tank of fuel is causing problems. But with the really high temperatures I don't know if it's a good idea to drive far enough to burn up that tank of fuel.
Last edited by JimBlake; May 18, 2021 at 12:44 PM.
Out of curiosity what mind of lacquer thinner did you use. Not all companies release data sheets on their products but there could be something obvious like if it was methanol based or toluene based etc.
Thread Starter
Joined: May 2021
Posts: 8
Update : I pulled the cat
Thanks everyone for your imput...
I don't have the can of thinner anymore but it was from Home Depot.
I changed the sensor and there are no codes now. (have not driven it enough to set the other things that require a drive)
I pulled the CAT and it runs the same. (had to grind off a nut so off to get a stud)
I'm running gas from the same station I always use.
The lack of codes puzzles me...
How do I check for a fuel issue?
Anything else?
HELP!!
I don't have the can of thinner anymore but it was from Home Depot.
I changed the sensor and there are no codes now. (have not driven it enough to set the other things that require a drive)
I pulled the CAT and it runs the same. (had to grind off a nut so off to get a stud)
I'm running gas from the same station I always use.
The lack of codes puzzles me...
How do I check for a fuel issue?
Anything else?
HELP!!
Super Moderator
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 16,329
From: Houston, TX
Do you have a scanner that can read live engine data? If yes, let the engine warm up and let us know the long and short term fuel trims at idle. Also, the long and short term fuel trims when you raise the rpm to ~2000 rpm.
Thread Starter
Joined: May 2021
Posts: 8
I have a basic code reader... I suppose I can buy a live scanner but I'll check the budget...any other way for now? Maybe later today or Monday I'll hit up the Harbor Freight..suggestion on model there?
Super Moderator
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 16,329
From: Houston, TX
If your code reader doesn't do live data, there are inexpensive bluetooth connectors that you can order online that will plug into the DLC. Then you can get a program like torque or torque pro to read the data from a smartphone.
Thread Starter
Joined: May 2021
Posts: 8
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