How many cats?
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FTE Chapter Leader
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From: Fresno, CA.
How many cats?
I am disabled, and unable to crawl under my 2005 Ford F150 4x4. It has the worst engine ever made by Ford, and I am getting a code that one of the catalytic converters is bad. I asked the mechanic that replaced the POS engine how many cats my truck had, and he told me four. Is that true? I ask this because checking O'reilly auto for prices gives me two different prices. One is $600 and the other $2,000! Years ago, when I got my settlement money, I bought a used Jaguar XJS with the 12-cylinder engine. It was the only vehicle I had ever had that indeed had four cats on it. So, is this my second four-cat vehicle? The CEL came on after the truck passed the smog test, so I have some time to save up some money and get one, but could someone tell me how many I have? I have only had the truck a year and a half, and it has never been on a lift so I could look for myself. Thanks in advance.
Jim
Jim
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Oct 2007
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From: Raytown MO
It has four catalytic converters, Two upstream off the exhaust manifolds and two downstream. The code should tell you specifically which one it is.
It's also possible it's just the o2 sensor.
It's also possible it's just the o2 sensor.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 1,436
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From: Virginia
The "replacement" pieces come as a "right side" assembly & a "left side" assembly.
Your biggest issue is being in CA. This = $$$$
Magnaflow makes replacement pieces for both sides & CA compliant, but are a lot more $$$ than the non-CA parts.
https://www.magnaflow.com/collection...alifornia=true
Both sides CA compliant = $3297 (retail list)
Both sides Fed compliant = $1026 (retail list)
3x the cost for CA.
Based on the fact that you said you replaced the engine, it is very possible the old engine fouled the CATs on it's way out.
This is not uncommon for these trucks if the engine is not running properly for a long enough period of time.
Your biggest issue is being in CA. This = $$$$
Magnaflow makes replacement pieces for both sides & CA compliant, but are a lot more $$$ than the non-CA parts.
https://www.magnaflow.com/collection...alifornia=true
Both sides CA compliant = $3297 (retail list)
Both sides Fed compliant = $1026 (retail list)
3x the cost for CA.
Based on the fact that you said you replaced the engine, it is very possible the old engine fouled the CATs on it's way out.
This is not uncommon for these trucks if the engine is not running properly for a long enough period of time.
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FTE Chapter Leader
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From: Fresno, CA.
Living in California all my life (except the 4 years of military service) I am well aware of the California smog laws.
. It would be nice if the problem was an O2 sensor. However, prior to getting the engine to pass the smog test all of the sensors were replaced. When I bought the truck, the PO said he got it at a tow yard and had a whole slew of codes. I ended up replacing every sensor, all 8 spark plugs, all 8 coil packs, O2 sensors, etc. The previous engine had the infamous tensioner issue, and after paying to have them all replaced along with the water pump and a hi volume oil pump the engine destroyed itself upon first start up... The shop claimed it was due to plastic bits in the oil pan. They ended up replacing the whole engine with a low mileage one. Anyway, thanks for letting me know how many cats there are. I have the paper from O'Reilly auto around here somewhere, I'll dig it out and find out just which one it is. It really makes me mad that CA. Can get away with charging 3x the price of other states, but I am on a fixed income and cannot afford to move out of here. Can't afford to sell the truck, either, so I have just decided to fix it up as money permits.
Jim
. It would be nice if the problem was an O2 sensor. However, prior to getting the engine to pass the smog test all of the sensors were replaced. When I bought the truck, the PO said he got it at a tow yard and had a whole slew of codes. I ended up replacing every sensor, all 8 spark plugs, all 8 coil packs, O2 sensors, etc. The previous engine had the infamous tensioner issue, and after paying to have them all replaced along with the water pump and a hi volume oil pump the engine destroyed itself upon first start up... The shop claimed it was due to plastic bits in the oil pan. They ended up replacing the whole engine with a low mileage one. Anyway, thanks for letting me know how many cats there are. I have the paper from O'Reilly auto around here somewhere, I'll dig it out and find out just which one it is. It really makes me mad that CA. Can get away with charging 3x the price of other states, but I am on a fixed income and cannot afford to move out of here. Can't afford to sell the truck, either, so I have just decided to fix it up as money permits.Jim
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 1,436
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From: Virginia
Just a thought.....
In other states, after 20yr a vehicle is exempt from emissions inspections. It's about to be 2025.
I don't know about the Peoples Republic of California.
If that is the case, you might be able to use the Fed compliant parts to make the computer happy & have proper O2 readings.
In other states, after 20yr a vehicle is exempt from emissions inspections. It's about to be 2025.
I don't know about the Peoples Republic of California.
If that is the case, you might be able to use the Fed compliant parts to make the computer happy & have proper O2 readings.
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FTE Chapter Leader
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From: Fresno, CA.
I have not heard of anything like that in Commiefornia, but I can look into it. I do know they have a program where if it costs more than $600 to get it compliant, they will pay the rest. Problem is, I have to spend $600 first. Again, I don't have to worry about smog testing until March of 2026 but I would like to know what it will cost because I my fixed income I need to plan ahead.
Jim
Jim
Super Moderator
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California is 1976 and newer and has been for over 20 years.
Is it a CA truck or a "49 state" truck?
Is it a CA truck or a "49 state" truck?
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If it is the cat, start saving up.
No easy way out. Can't buy a used one unless you find a Nevada or Arizona source and like the long drive.
Non-approved cats might work. Or they might not. Done right, you'd pass visual, but if they give you the sniffer you might, or might not, pass.
I had the smog guy tell me people came in with cheapo cats and failed worse than the bad stockers they took out.
And if you have sensors after the cats, you may not even get that far if the cats don't work.
Good luck.
No easy way out. Can't buy a used one unless you find a Nevada or Arizona source and like the long drive.
Non-approved cats might work. Or they might not. Done right, you'd pass visual, but if they give you the sniffer you might, or might not, pass.
I had the smog guy tell me people came in with cheapo cats and failed worse than the bad stockers they took out.
And if you have sensors after the cats, you may not even get that far if the cats don't work.
Good luck.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Oct 2007
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Jim,
Here are the parts from Magnaflow:
#5481744
[img alt="MagnaFlow 2004-2005 Ford F-150 California Grade CARB Compliant Direct-Fit Catalytic Converter"]data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAE AAAICTAEAOw==[/img]
#5481238
Here are the parts from Magnaflow:
MagnaFlow 2004-2005 Ford F-150 California Grade CARB Compliant Direct-Fit Catalytic Converter
#5481744
[img alt="MagnaFlow 2004-2005 Ford F-150 California Grade CARB Compliant Direct-Fit Catalytic Converter"]data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAE AAAICTAEAOw==[/img]
#5481238
I hate to tell you that it's an expensive repair. However, it is a slip on system, so less labor is involved.
Don't even think about trying to install a 48 state catalytic converter system. If the smog inspector misses the new cats on the visual inspection - which could happen - the OBDII port readings will give it away.
Don't even think about trying to install a 48 state catalytic converter system. If the smog inspector misses the new cats on the visual inspection - which could happen - the OBDII port readings will give it away.
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FTE Chapter Leader
Joined: Nov 2006
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From: Fresno, CA.
I know. California is a PITA when it comes to cats. Very expensive, and no way around it unless I can qualify for the aid program, but even that requires me to spend $600.
Jim
Jim
Logistics Pro
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 4,865
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The Magnaflow webpage has enough information.
