Plugged Cat + symptoms

[ryan8795]

Hi,

I had a SES light come on, so got it checked out and I was told I had a plugged cat (2nd bank). The car was like this before I bought it, and have driven for about a month after this diagnosis.

As I was driving today, it felt a bit jerky, almost like I was going over lots of small bumps, but in a regular pattern, with what felt like a little bit of resistance against the throttle every sort of half second, if that makes sense.

Is likely an indication that the cat is getting worse? Or likely to be something unrelated?

 

[IPcamper]

Many years ago, I have had a cat fail and get plugged. It started as a gradual loss of power, a bit rough idle, and higher engine temps, all three of these kept getting worse over a short period of time. you can measure it yourself if you pull the O2 sensor ahead of the CAT and put a pressure gauge on it, I don't know what it should read but it should be fairly low pressure, Just before I had the Cat replaced, the back pressure from the plugged CAT was 80 psi, I was surprised the engine was even running.

 

[Tech By Trade]

Walker had a deal on cats. both cats are built into the y pipe so its easier to just change the y pipe instead of welding in a new single. 300 bucks on amazon with a 50 dollar mail in rebate. I bought min in October and am still waiting on my cheque. Takes about an hour and a half to change. Soak all the bolts down real good the night before with pb blaster. An air impact is a godsend but a breaker bar will work. you need to drop the transmission cross member. Way, way cheaper than having a shop do it. Ford quoted me 1200 just for parts.

 

[ryan8795]

Thanks a lot for the replies so far. I feel like the situation will just get worse like IPcamper says.

Sorry for the novice question, but am I right in thinking there are 3 cats in total? One on each arm of the Y-pipe (bank 1 and 2), and one on the stem once them join up?

As an alternative option, would removing the material from the bad cat, so that it's free flow, cause the CEL to be on constantly? and if so, would disconnecting sensors etc just create more problems?

 

[Tech By Trade]

2 cats, the resonator is after the y pipe. 4 o2 detectors. Yes, if you smash the cat you get a CEL on everything with the dual o2 sensors and crappy mileage. Pretty much anything post 2000.

 

[ryan8795]

Walker had a deal on cats. both cats are built into the y pipe so its easier to just change the y pipe instead of welding in a new single. 300 bucks on amazon with a 50 dollar mail in rebate.

Interested to know if you had a link or anything for this?

Closest thing I saw was this http://www.carid.com/2004-ford-expl...-direct-fit-catalytic-converter-17738477.html is this what you're talking about?

 

[Tech By Trade]

this is the one I was thinking of. Actually, I think you were right, there is a third cat on the 04. Magnaflow 93105 Direct Fit Catalytic Converter (Non CARB compliant)

 

[ryan8795]

Thanks for the link. I followed it and did the 'check if it fits' thing on that page and it says it doesn't fit my car. Its an 05 XLT 4.6L V8. I then found this http://www.amazon.com/Magnaflow-931...-3507------2-0&sr=1-10&ymm=2005:ford:explorer which I think is the same as the one you sent, just maybe for my exact vehicle. Is there any difference between this and the Walker one?

I was at the garage today, and the guy priced me up the whole y pipe for $1300 - not going to do this, but the number on the quote says '16139' which I searched for and came up with the link that I sent in the post before (Walker). The Walker one has all 3 cats, right?