Missing Air Filter for 2000 Corolla and its effect

[rohitulpe]

Hello,

I have an 2000 Corolla VE.I got the Check Engine Light few days ago and it was diagonised that the Catalytic Conveter was not that good,for the temporary effect,I did the injection /flush and replaced the spark plaugs as they were old as the conveters was expensive.The mecanic also told me durint this process,that the Air Filter was missing .

My question is that the place where I serviced my car earlier prob forgot to put the air filter and I drove this for about a month and then got this Check Engine Light issue.Could the missing Air Filter for about a month have the Check Engine Light on and could this have resulted in the catalytic converter geting spoilt.

Your answers would be greatly appreciated

[toyomoho]

Do you remember the specific trouble code(s)? Having no air filter normally results in dirt getting into the cylinders and causing engine wear. Unless you drove through a lot of blowing sand, etc. don’t think this was the cause of the converter failure. This might also cause more build up of debris on the airflow sensor.

If most of your driving was on the paved roads, the damage should be minimal. You might change the oil though. Not sure what to say to the service shop if they did leave off the filter. See if they will spring for a new air filter (if you don’t have one now) or the equivalent $$ and an oil change.

[dgoodhue]

How long have you owned the car? What was your last service?

[rohitulpe]

Originally Posted by toyomoho

Do you remember the specific trouble code(s)? Having no air filter normally results in dirt getting into the cylinders and causing engine wear. Unless you drove through a lot of blowing sand, etc. don’t think this was the cause of the converter failure. This might also cause more build up of debris on the airflow sensor.

If most of your driving was on the paved roads, the damage should be minimal. You might change the oil though. Not sure what to say to the service shop if they did leave off the filter. See if they will spring for a new air filter (if you don’t have one now) or the equivalent $$ and an oil change.

The mecanic mentioned the Code was 420.Well I ddid also have a talk with the service guys and they offered me a free service but will this have a long lasting effect on the Engine,etc

[rohitulpe]

Originally Posted by dgoodhue

How long have you owned the car? What was your last service?

Owned it for the last 3 years and last service was in Nov 06

[dgoodhue]

Originally Posted by rohitulpe

last service was in Nov 06

I was more asking what type of service? Or what type service would you have that they would have removed or touch the air filter for?

I was more aksing how long you have owned the car, to see if their is any chance the previous owner removed it.

[rohitulpe]

Originally Posted by dgoodhue

I was more asking what type of service? Or what type service would you have that they would have removed or touch the air filter for?

I was more aksing how long you have owned the car, to see if their is any chance the previous owner removed it.

Ohh.It was just an Oil Change and the regular stuff,nothing in general

[prophase]

Let's hope the person did not leave it out on purpose. You never know with service stations. That is why I do as much work as I can myself.

It's not always the station, it's sometimes the jerks that work at the stations!

[bandag]

Also wondered how many miles are on car? I have a 2000 also with 59,000 on it.