Emission Help
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Emission Help
I have a 96' F150 2wd Eddie Bauer edition with a 4.9L I6. Recently I've had a check engine light come on. Went to AutoZone and they said it will either be an 02 sensor or the catalytic converter. Then, he hooked his diagnostic tool to my computer and he came to the conclusion that it is, in fact, the catalytic converter. I believe my truck has two of them. How do I figure out which one is throwing the code or if its both? Also, would I be better off removing both converters and installing a catalytic converter bypass test pipe or just buying new converters. Emission Laws do not concern me, but what does is whether or not its bad for the engine. I baby my truck and do not want to do anything that would damage it, but also wouldn't mind any increase in hp/torque. Thanks to all my fellow FORD truck enthusiasts in advance. Have a wonderful holiday.
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If I had them I would have already done that. He didn't give me a print out and I didn't think to ask. This thread is going on the basis of assuming that it is the catalytic converter. Your right about the parts guys skills. I shouldn't be so gullible. Come Friday I ll have it diagnosed again and post the code. Thanks for the reply.
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Two tests for the cat:
--does exhaust go through it without excess backpressure?
--does it convert CO to CO2?
If you don't have to pass a sniffer test, you only need to worry about the exhaust going through it. Your '96, is it OBD I or II? And do you have s sensor AFTER the cat?
--does exhaust go through it without excess backpressure?
--does it convert CO to CO2?
If you don't have to pass a sniffer test, you only need to worry about the exhaust going through it. Your '96, is it OBD I or II? And do you have s sensor AFTER the cat?
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The code is P0420
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From: Southern California
• P0420 Catalyst System Efficiency Below Limit, Bank No. 1
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Meaning the 1st oxygen sensor is bad?
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From: St Louis
No. It means that the computer has determined that bank 1 converter failed its self-test.
More diagnosis is needed to determine if it's a faulty converter or if there is a different reason for the fault code.
If you are unconcerned about emissions, just ignore the fault.
More diagnosis is needed to determine if it's a faulty converter or if there is a different reason for the fault code.
If you are unconcerned about emissions, just ignore the fault.
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No. It means that the computer has determined that bank 1 converter failed its self-test.
More diagnosis is needed to determine if it's a faulty converter or if there is a different reason for the fault code.
If you are unconcerned about emissions, just ignore the fault.
More diagnosis is needed to determine if it's a faulty converter or if there is a different reason for the fault code.
If you are unconcerned about emissions, just ignore the fault.
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Junior User
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Two tests for the cat:
--does exhaust go through it without excess backpressure?
--does it convert CO to CO2?
If you don't have to pass a sniffer test, you only need to worry about the exhaust going through it. Your '96, is it OBD I or II? And do you have s sensor AFTER the cat?
--does exhaust go through it without excess backpressure?
--does it convert CO to CO2?
If you don't have to pass a sniffer test, you only need to worry about the exhaust going through it. Your '96, is it OBD I or II? And do you have s sensor AFTER the cat?
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Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 19,760
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From: St Louis
You have OBDII or else it would never have tested converter operation.
It's up to you. Any exhaust shop can replace converters. Any decent mechanic with a scan tool who knows how to use it can check the converter - it's just a simple test of comparing upstream vs. downstream O2 sensor monitoring.
The previous MIL might (or might not) have been important. Since you didn't get the code pulled, we'll never know.
It's up to you. Any exhaust shop can replace converters. Any decent mechanic with a scan tool who knows how to use it can check the converter - it's just a simple test of comparing upstream vs. downstream O2 sensor monitoring.
The previous MIL might (or might not) have been important. Since you didn't get the code pulled, we'll never know.
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Just watched a video on youtube about this. Guy said that when gas tank is half full pour 1 gallon of lacquer thinner and drive about 150 miles and this may clean catalytic converter. Also, if there is no saving it, could I just cut them off and weld a straight pipe? Would the check engine light stay off? Would this harm my engine? Thnx
P.S. Should have mentioned this earlier but my truck is still running normal. Still getting 19mpg.
P.S. Should have mentioned this earlier but my truck is still running normal. Still getting 19mpg.
Thread Starter
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Junior User
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You have OBDII or else it would never have tested converter operation.
It's up to you. Any exhaust shop can replace converters. Any decent mechanic with a scan tool who knows how to use it can check the converter - it's just a simple test of comparing upstream vs. downstream O2 sensor monitoring.
The previous MIL might (or might not) have been important. Since you didn't get the code pulled, we'll never know.
It's up to you. Any exhaust shop can replace converters. Any decent mechanic with a scan tool who knows how to use it can check the converter - it's just a simple test of comparing upstream vs. downstream O2 sensor monitoring.
The previous MIL might (or might not) have been important. Since you didn't get the code pulled, we'll never know.
P.S. Should have mentioned this earlier but my truck is still running normal. Still getting 19mpg.