Help Me? I've got issues!!!

[TiffaZilla]

So my car (2000 Mazda Protege) decided to give me a festive light... you know the one....
There are 2 codes - Catalyst efficiency below threshold and system to lean.

It's been that way for about 2 months. The check engine light has turned off intermittently... it's been on constantly now though for about 2 weeks. It idles rough occasionally and three times now I've almost ended up in my back seat from it jerking so hard when i hit the gas going up a little tiny hill.

Any suggestions, answers, ideas?

Thanks :)
(nailbyt)

[KZL_99ES]

your cat has prob gone bad and your air/fuel ratio is too lean, both not that good, our cars usually run very rich... take it somewhere and let them rescan it and see what they say; just don't them do any work too it right away, come back and post what they said!

[TiffaZilla]

ugh... that's what I was afraid of... but I most definitely will get it checked, I'll let ya know :)

[KZL_99ES]

sure thing, you're just north of Columbus right? there's a lot of us ohio members around, you'll have a good time!

[TiffaZilla]

yeah, I'm actually living in Radnor... If you have ANY clue as to where that is :p but getting ready to move back to Delaware. It's closer by like 10 minutes to work, haha

[TiffaZilla]

so i just came back from the dreaded garage and they told me that i have a bad header... could that effect the catalyst efficiency? they didn't say that and i didn't think to ask, but just wondering :/

[80sGuy]

They can say anything. What's the mileage on the car?

[ucMP3]

Do you still have those same 2 codes from the CEL? Do you have an aftermarket header? or the factory exhaust manifold?

[TiffaZilla]

140,000 miles, and stock exhaust manifold. Yes, the same codes as well.