Elevated Long Fuel Trims - 2014 3.5 ltr

[RAMcGillTX]

I have a 2014 Explorer Sport with the 3.5 ltr twin turbo in it. 135k miles. I have a Ford extended warranty. Vehicle had a check engine light and I was told by the dealer that one catalytic converter and o2 sensor needed replaced, not covered by the warranty of course. When I picked the vehicle up and reviewed the technician notes there is a comment that states, "The long fuel trims on both banks are slightly elevated. If light comes on and lean condition present, extensive diagnostics will be required". In speaking with the dealer, he said the LFTL was a 7 and normal is 5 or less. They seemed to indicate I would get a check engine light at 10.

Is this something I need to be concerned with? Could this be the reason the catalytic converter needed replaced? Should I be concerned for the life of the other catalytic converter?

Thanks

 

[fosterzcj]

Rich burning fuel mixture generates excessive wear on the catalytic converters. Lean burning burns out the metals on the inside. Your maf sensor may need cleaning, or on oxygen sensor needs replacing. If you decide to go the sensor route only replace with motorcraft. Also how old is your battery? Aging batteries can cause sensor code issues. Best of luck. I would handle the fuel trime issue first before replacing the converters .

 

[peterk9]

I have a 2014 Explorer Sport with the 3.5 ltr twin turbo in it. 135k miles. I have a Ford extended warranty. Vehicle had a check engine light and I was told by the dealer that one catalytic converter and o2 sensor needed replaced, not covered by the warranty of course. ...................................................................

Welcome to the Forum.
Please keep us updated. Thanks.

Peter

 

[Ironworker40]

If you have a Ford ESP why are the cats and ox sensor not covered?

 

[RAMcGillTX]

They said there are 3 levels of Ford ESP plans and none of them cover emissions equipment such as O2 sensors and catalytic converters.

 

[peterk9]

They said there are 3 levels of Ford ESP plans and none of them cover emissions equipment such as O2 sensors and catalytic converters.

I just pulled up a copy of the ESP PremiumCare document. It states that the exhaust system, including the catalytic converter, is not covered.
However, under Emissions, oxygen sensors are covered.

https://fordprotect.ford.com/extendedserviceplan/index/downloadbrochure/careplan/premiumcare/

Peter

 

[fosterzcj]

That's a terrible esp to not cover the converters. If I pay almost 2 grand for an extended warranty and maintenance a car at a dealership paying dealership prices I'd expect to have all the parts covered. Especially expencive parts like a converter. Does the lifetime bumper to bumper cover it by chance? The dealership tried to sell me one but I wasnt having it as it would have been about 6 grand over the life of payments.

 

[Ironworker40]

Under the engine section it says exhaust manifolds are covered. Are the manifolds and converters one piece?

 

[peterk9]

Under the engine section it says exhaust manifolds are covered. Are the manifolds and converters one piece?

The exclusion is listed under this section of items not covered.

Repairs Related to Your Maintenance Requirements – Items listed in your vehicle’s owner guide. Examples include: batteries of all types and cables, belts, hoses, hose clamps, brakes (front hub, drums, shoes, linings, disc rotors, pads), manual transmission clutch disc, exhaust system (includes catalytic converter),

Peter

 

[Ironworker40]

You’re not picking up what I’m saying. Exhaust manifolds ARE covered. I believe the manafilds and converters are one piece. So any service writer worth his salt could get them covered. If indeed they are one piece.

 

[J_C]

I'm not sure that a cat can be declared bad if there is also, or instead only, a bad O2 sensor so I would get the sensor replaced first, especially if that is covered by warranty, or just DIY if it is accessible. Upstream or downstream of the cat?

First just means before paying for a new cat, even before that I'd look into the fuel trims.

 

[Odrapnew]

You’re not picking up what I’m saying. Exhaust manifolds ARE covered. I believe the manafilds and converters are one piece. So any service writer worth his salt could get them covered. If indeed they are one piece.

Unfortunately the cats are separate from the manifold so they wouldn't be covered.

I'd be curious, if the O2 sensor(s) is/are bad causing the high (and inaccurate) fuel trims, could that be cause for the ESP to cover the cats? Cats failed due to a covered component?

Thinking about this, @RAMcGillTX - did they say which O2 sensors need to be replaced? Did they provide the codes they read?
I ask because if only the upstream O2 sensors are setting a code and not the downstream, that would mean the cats are still working properly.
If you are getting a code for downstream O2 sensor, it could still just be the sensor and as J_C stated, replace sensor first to see if it resolves the issue before biting the bullet on the converters.