So, last weekend I'm installing some ceramic pads on my rig. I go to compress the pistons and can't find my C-clamp (never fails). Get in the wife's Expy and head to Home Depot. Whilst driving the wife's rig I notice that when I put the pedal on the floor it starts misfiring and spewing white smoke. Crap. Call wife: "What the !#$%^ is wrong with your car and how long has it been doing this?"

To the dealer we go...code P0430, needs a new catalytic converter on the drivers side and they recommend flushing the fuel system to make sure none of the injectors are sticking. They covered the Cat under the emissions warranty so I figure I'll let them charge me for the engine flush. Go to pick it up this morning and it's still hesitating and misfiring under load (pedal to the floor). U-turn back to dealer. The tech who worked on it does a ride-along and listens to the clatter and says, "time to replace the passenger side one too!" It's covered under the emissions warranty as well.

I'm really concerned that sticky injectors might be the issue and I doubt that an engine flush is going to help unstick the injectors. So, here's my question: Would it be prudent to go ahead and replace all the injectors? At $15 a piece online I'm thinking its worth protecting the new cats. Or am I just being paranoid?

 

My 2005 Lariat had an injector stick open and was replaced under a factory warrranty extenision. They only replaced the one that was stuck open. I changed the oil and filter when I got home. A couple of months later, the engine started misfiring under load. The dealer said that the plugs were bad. So I had them replaced. Driving it home it started running really rough so I went back to the dealer. They ended up replacing both of the cats under the emissions warranty. The truck runs alot stronger now.

 

Your fuel injectors are under warentee. Get them replaced for free. Also get on the catalytic converter waiting list RIGHT NOW! i waited 76 days for mine. It was horrible (but they gave me a free rental). My advice is once you get into the dealer and they order the new catalytic converter, then call Ford Customer Relations, because once I did i got my new cats in 4 days. Feel free to PM me for more help.

 

Well, they already replaced one and the tech mentioned they were having problems getting them in stock, but believed they had another one on hand. They did give me a brand spanking new 2010 F150 Screw as a loaner...they can take their time!

 

Thats good 'ol Ford! Taking care of their people!

Glad to hear your not having to wait as long as I did.

 

76 days? ouch what was their excuse for that?

 

There is a nation wide back order on Cats, and in California its even worse because we (being the sucky California we are) have MUCH tighter environmental laws, so not only are our cats different, they take longer to make, and cost about twice as much... so ya... But it wasnt just my dealership blowing steam up my ***, I called several dealerships, private parties and they all said the same thing "Its gonna be a while."

Long story short, its not Ford's fault, they contracted a vendor and now that manufacturer is having trouble getting some of the rare metals necessary for the parts (platinum, yes platinum)

All in all im not too upset, my dealership was very nice and so was Ford. I even added my service guy on facebook

 

Can i eliminate the Cat conv if i don't get emission tests in my state ?

 

No, it's an EPA regulation. You get caught running without them it's a hefty fine.

 

It used to be a 10K fine, if you were a business that got caught removing cats. I know someone who got nailed back in the 80's for this. When did they start chasing individuals?