Illegal maybe but is it worthwhile?
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Freshman User
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 46
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Illegal maybe but is it worthwhile?
here's a question for you.. i think i solved the mystery of my gas mileage rapidly decreasing. that being a cat (less than 2 years old) being plugged... now.. if i were to clean out the two cats so that they were just cans in my exhaust.... i realize that it would register a trouble code.... but what if replaced that second o2 sensor with a new one that was of the same type as the one just past the exhaust manifold? 
in theory it should work right? .. and when it's time for an e-test. i'll just bolt a new set of cats back into place.
what's your opinion?
in theory it should work right? .. and when it's time for an e-test. i'll just bolt a new set of cats back into place. what's your opinion?
Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 2,107
Likes: 3
From: California Desert
As far as I know, factory cats have a 6(?) year warranty, regardless of what other warranty came with the truck. If your truck is younger than 6 years, take it in to Ford and have them replace it free. (I think it's free...someone else can confirm.)
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 1,436
Likes: 117
From: Virginia
First of all, what makes you think it is the cat? If the cat is bad then you have some other problem with the engine that caused it to go that quick.
Second, you are subject to a $2500 fine for "removing" the cat and not replacing it with an approved piece. Is that worth it? You do the math.
If it is an aftermarket cat you bought 2 years ago, and it is CARB legal, then they are required to carry a 5yr warranty on them. Take it back. As the others said, if this is OEM Ford, then take it back to them and make them fix it provided you are under the year/milage warranty for emissions.
Second, you are subject to a $2500 fine for "removing" the cat and not replacing it with an approved piece. Is that worth it? You do the math.
If it is an aftermarket cat you bought 2 years ago, and it is CARB legal, then they are required to carry a 5yr warranty on them. Take it back. As the others said, if this is OEM Ford, then take it back to them and make them fix it provided you are under the year/milage warranty for emissions.
Elder User
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 513
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From: Zimmerman, MN
Ummm Fordboy,
If I'm not mistaken, there is a law in all 50 states requiring a Cat be installed on a vehicle if it came from the factory with one.
Only situations I can think of where you don't need one:
Race vehicles that are not streetable
Farm vehicles
Move out of country
If I'm not mistaken, there is a law in all 50 states requiring a Cat be installed on a vehicle if it came from the factory with one.
Only situations I can think of where you don't need one:
Race vehicles that are not streetable
Farm vehicles
Move out of country
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Freshman User
Joined: Jun 2005
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Well, i'm up here in canada, we do have emissions testing, but for the most part it's not a s strict as your country's laws... secondly, when i bought the truck from the mazda (ford in disguise dealership) the truck had an issue with passing the emissions, finally after they cleaned out the engine of any carbon deposits, put plugs and wires in along with a few other things..... it still hadn't passed.. so they replaced that catalytic converters... so they're only 2 years old. but they got that awful rattle that starts up when they're cold.. once they're warm it's not bad. but my gas mileage has gone down as the rattle on start up got louder.. (and i'm pretty damn sure that it's coming from one of the cats)
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Elder User
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 759
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From: Ventura ,ca. (near L.A.)
Just because they dont do smog testing in a specific area doesn't mean the Highway Patrol cant pull you over and fine you for not having your emission equipment in tach. Also, just because an area doesnt require smog doesn't mean 2-3 down the road the wont change the laws. I've noticed where i live in CA that areas that didn't require smog have become scarce. I have a 78 Silverado that i still have to smog every 2 years, i hate smog.
Elder User
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 911
Likes: 2
From: Northern Virginia, USA
Rattling cat and decreased performance/MPG do suggest a bad cat.
Good cats don't die on a healthy engine. I suspect you're running rich (which kills cats). If you have a 6 year emissions equiptment warranty, make the dealer fix the problem. It's probably something stupid, like a clogged fuel injector that's dumping raw gas into the cat and killing it.
The rear O2 sensor checks the post-cat O2 level, and reads different from the front O2 sensor. The computer compares the two to determine if the cat is working. A "MIL eliminator" instead of the rear O2 will keep the computer happy, like Kens64 said.
If you really don't like OEM cats, Catco makes a nice high performance cat for cheap. But it's gonna die quickly if you're running rich.
Good cats don't die on a healthy engine. I suspect you're running rich (which kills cats). If you have a 6 year emissions equiptment warranty, make the dealer fix the problem. It's probably something stupid, like a clogged fuel injector that's dumping raw gas into the cat and killing it.
The rear O2 sensor checks the post-cat O2 level, and reads different from the front O2 sensor. The computer compares the two to determine if the cat is working. A "MIL eliminator" instead of the rear O2 will keep the computer happy, like Kens64 said.
If you really don't like OEM cats, Catco makes a nice high performance cat for cheap. But it's gonna die quickly if you're running rich.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 1,978
Likes: 1
From: Alvin, Texas.
High-po cats?
Heh, the factory versions are about as good as they get now, though aftermarket can be cheaper!
As for MIL simulators, the Haynes has the resistance or voltage values for the O2's, so running to Radio Shack can result in home-made O2 simulators, if that is needed....
Heh, the factory versions are about as good as they get now, though aftermarket can be cheaper!
As for MIL simulators, the Haynes has the resistance or voltage values for the O2's, so running to Radio Shack can result in home-made O2 simulators, if that is needed....
Elder User
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 911
Likes: 2
From: Northern Virginia, USA
High-po = high flow. Probably equal catalyzing ability.
Sometimes the factory will use the same cat across several different models, resulting in a smaller-diameter cat than you might like. For instance, the Ranger exhaust might be sized for the 3.0, but also be used for the 2.3 and the 4.0.
Sometimes the factory will use the same cat across several different models, resulting in a smaller-diameter cat than you might like. For instance, the Ranger exhaust might be sized for the 3.0, but also be used for the 2.3 and the 4.0.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 1,436
Likes: 117
From: Virginia
There are quite a few options when it comes to carb legal high flow cat replacements, and yes they come in different sizes. Just to name a few: Carsound/Magnaflow, CatCo, Random Tech, etc...... Anyway, on another board I belong to I was reading about the best flow results were seen with a 300 cell "spun body" cat.
Lead Driver
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 6,461
Likes: 6
From: Abilene Kansas
i am getting close to setting the recored for being pulled over... and i have never once had a cop even think about giving me a ticket for it. once a hypo even told me it sounded good and asked me what i did to it, so i told him the truth (ive had problems lying to cops before) and he laughed and said he might do it to his.
in kansas they dont give a crap, my dad has a 92 ford and the pipes broke before the cat and its all hanging down and noone has even looked at it
Matt
in kansas they dont give a crap, my dad has a 92 ford and the pipes broke before the cat and its all hanging down and noone has even looked at it
Matt