Catalytic Converter

[Hill]

I am a new member to the board. I own a '96 XLT V6. The problem I am having is, that my check engine light came on for the first time a couple of months ago and the dealer told me that the OS2 sensors and the converter needed too be replaced. Well I had the OS2 sensors replaced, but the converter would cost $700, Wow! The OS2 sensor after the converter is causing the check engine light too come on, meaning that the converter is going bad, but the truck runs great and every now and then the light comes on and I just reset it by disconnecting the battery. This vehicle uses nothing but Texaco gas. Has anyone had this problem?

 

[Ray Lobato]

Hill,
Welcome to the site.
O2 sensors don't last too long, and can cause the cat to go bad, but not right away. Your mileage should be going down and usually , but not always you get that sulfur smell. I would get a second opinion just to be safe. What usually happens is once the O2 sensor goes, you start using more gas, beause the air fuel mixture is incorrect, the O2 sensor helps in determining the fuel mixture along with the MAF and a couple of other sensors that seem to excape my mind at this time, but any how you get too much unburned gas fumes and the cat can't take it. Like I said before, get a second opinion before you have it changed.

 

[espnfreak]

hey, same prob here, my car was under warranty, and i got the o2 fixed, and then the light came back on. So i went back to the ford dealer and they replaced the catalytic converter for free. The converter has a warranty from ford for 80,000 miles, and i have 76,000, so i just made it. How many miles do you got on your truck? the ford dealer billed Ford $800 bucks for that converter. I was just relieved i didn't have to pay for it, and i can imagine your feelings. Hope this is any help to you

 

[wolfsnatcher]

same problem

My check engine light just came on as well. I had the code scanned and wound up with a 0420, at Autozone. It seems to be pointing towards the cat. My question is should I have a more in depth scan done, or pull my batt cable and see how long it takes to reappear? I would like to put the least expensive cat I can find and Mieneke said they would charge $500+. Heck Ill bolt it in myself if I can save some money on the part. Any suggestions?
'96 4.0 V6 90,000 miles
Jim

 

[Alec]

www.truckperformance.com has some good cats for around $250. I don't know if this is for the set or each though. You may need to look under Ranger instead of Explorer. They should bolt right up. The high prices are usually due to labor, it'll take a few hours to do because the bolts are probably gonna be very stubborn.

 

[DocVijay]

Get an aftermarket part.

If you need to replace you cat, might as well get a high flow piece. May even cost less than a Ford part. That way you save $$$ and get a few extra ponies. Win - Win situation.

 

[Alto]

What about Used?

I guess its a good thing I kept mine.

Is there any problem with getting one from a JunkYard it seems to me that you could find one in good condition off of a recently wrecked Explorer.
It's my guess that you would need a cat from the same size engine. Or would you?

I think it would be cheaper than a new one!

AnyOne, Anyone ?

 

[wolfsnatcher]

none for 96

I went to the truck performance site and no cats are given for '96 4.0. I want one that wont give me any more codes. I have never changed my o2 sensors, is there a good place where I can pick them up and save a few bucks in the process. I cant help myself, just like to get a good deal whenever possible.

Jim

 

[Alec]

truckperf.com had some for the Ranger that would fit, like I suggested earlier.

 

[wolfsnatcher]

thanks Alec

Didnt read carefully enough, thaks for the push in the right direction.
Jim

 

[mrboyle]

Re: What about Used?

Originally posted by Alto
I guess its a good thing I kept mine.

Is there any problem with getting one from a JunkYard it seems to me that you could find one in good condition off of a recently wrecked Explorer.
It's my guess that you would need a cat from the same size engine. Or would you?

I think it would be cheaper than a new one!

AnyOne, Anyone ?

Just to let everyone know, it is illegal to sell a used cat off of any vehicle. The only way to get a used cat would be to buy the entire vehicle intact.

 

[DocVijay]

Also...

It's also illegal to replace a cat before 5 years or 50,000 miles, unless there is a documented failure.

 

[drummergirl]

here's a story

OK.... My Check Engine light has been on for about a year now, posting the 0420 code and since I haven't had the money to replace the cat I've been ignoring that little yellow light shining in my face.......

So...... For no particular reason other than having some time to kill wandering around Auto Zone, I bought a bottle of Fuel Injector Cleaner and put it in the tank at my next fill-up, and lo and behold!!! Within 20 miles, the check engine light went off!!!!!!!! No, the bulb didn't burn out, either ( I checked).... I'm now on my next tank of gas and 400 miles later and the light is still off.... Cost: $2

Give it a try and maybe it will work for you too! (It's worth a try, anyway!)

 

[wolfsnatcher]

Hope that fixed your problem for good. I never replaced my cats, and for that matter my O2 sensors. I cleaned the throttle body and used some Seafoam, great stuff! WARNING- follow the instructions and read the posting about this stuff or you could cause even more major problems. I think the CEL code is a bit bogus. Even the Ford service guy told me to check more thing before replacing the Cats... Thought you might want to hear how mine turned out.

 

[drummergirl]

nevermind

Well, unfortunately the light did come back on

Oh, well... it was nice while it lasted. I'm going to have the dealer hook it up to the computer and find out exactly what the deal is .