Good test procedure (10 mile warmup drive), pictures, and test condition descriptions for reference @70f100longbed . And having the B1 (New Cat) comparison to B2 (Old cat) helpful for those that follow. I wonder if the OPs was warmed up fully and how it would compare to these two samples.

 

Heya,

When I ran those tests, the truck had been warming up for at least 10 minutes. Definitely warm.

 

That is not equivalent to a 10 mile test drive. On my truck, 10 minutes of idle will not get my EOT up to within three or four to five degrees of coolant temperature, or richen fuel mixture enough to get CAT temperature to required temperature. Sometimes my 'Catstat' flag will not go true AT ALL in a 30 mile drive cycle - depedning how I drive. My '04 truck has 242K miles and cats look '_roughly_' like yours with NO catalyst efficiency codes.

I'm not seeking to just be argumentative. It all has to do directly with diagnosing whether $500 or $600 needs to be spent to replace a couple fo CATs.

 

I am with you, I will drive it for 10 mins tomorrow afternoon, then run tests listed above..

 

I thought you were trying to figure out a no power concern?

 

I am, I have back roads around I can tool around slowly on.

 

Ok you can still try my suggestion of loosening the exhaust at the manifolds and see if the power comes back. I've done it many times over the years and its a sure way to check for exhaust restriction.

 

Sorry I have been gone for a while, but haven't been over to the shop to work on the truck.....

I loosened the two cats so there was a gap in between and took the truck for a drive. Other than it being obnoxiously loud, it ran fine and I even got it up to about 70. Took it back and just for ****-n-giggles, I retightened the cat bolts and took it back on the road. About 35, started to run like crap again, so I took it back and parked it.

Do I need to buy cats or is there a delete option......please dear god.....I am only asking if there is a way to delete the cats, trick the sensors and run it long term like that......OR just buy new cats.....


Or...is there a universal cat, from Magnaflow...

I do not want quotes on laws and emission testing. Just simply a question, that after quite a few searches could have just been answered, but they all get lost on emissions testing.....

 

Well, emissions testing does have to be touched on briefly. If you are subject to testing as a condition of licensing, you'll need to ensure that it can pass by whatever means are necessary.

Did you open up the exhaust on the upstream (engine) side of the cats or downstream ? It's always possible that there is an exhaust restriction downstream of the cats, you'd have to open up the exhaust after the cats and retest to be sure.

 

I disconnected them right after the headers.....I agree I want the cats....is there a universal cat that is available?

 

The poster is in fl so no emissions testing . You can rod them out and put some adapters on 02 to keep codes away. . Depending on how bad your exhaust system is deteriorated , Muffler can be plugged also so some times it is desired to get a sweeter sounding muffler and after market cats . The O2's are very important for fuel mix and you can end up with worse gas mileage by doing away with cats . You don't want exhaust fumes in cab so its better to make it right . In fact o2 sensors deteriorate over time and new ones help out .Its all up to you whether the rest of the truck is in good shape .
Make sure cats have fittings for O2 ,don't know if you are a pro welder - rigger . I think you can get a local muffler shop to weld them up for you if you carry in the parts .Me I would put all new in and be done with it .
Give 70f100 longbed a thank you !!!

 

Glad you got it figured out. You can try fooling the PCM with spark plug anti-foulers they move the sensor out of the exhaust stream

 

Yea just go all new exhaust from the manifold back with new 02's. Don't redneck it.

 

So this might sound stupid, but have you changed the oil recently? If not, try an oil change.

I had this exact same issue in my truck about a year ago. Hesitant now and then, down on power, etc., etc. Thought it was a plug/coil issue (nope), then thought it was a timing issue (also nope). Turns out I was running 2 quarts of oil in the truck... Yeah, 2 quarts of the required 7. 5 quarts low. I do oil changes myself and know for a fact I put 7 quarts in, it started about 4 months after doing an oil change. No spills where truck parks at home or work, hasn't happened again since changing the oil again. Don't know where the oil went that one time nor why it leaked like a sieve or burned it that once and never again, but runs great now so who cares.

Just a thought.

EDIT: I see you figured out your issue with the cats. Ignore my post, lol.

 

All good my friend. I appreciate the info, and who knows, someone may stumble on here from a google search and your answer will be the one they need.

Thanks again