Will it even make a differenced

37chief · Jan 11, 2019

Getting some prices on the cat. replacement on my 05 F150. Lowest price is around 800.00. I can buy a cat. for 180, and install it my self. one side. Both sides 360.00. If I do it my self the savings will 440.00, which is a lot. In my younger years I didn't have a lot of money, and learned I could do a lot of repairs my self, which I still do. So when my life is over is the 440.00 I am saving really worth it, not to go through the trouble of replacing my own catalytic converter. I guess if 440.00 magically appeared in my wallet it would be worth it. Just something to think about. Stan

VicS · Jan 11, 2019

I guess I missed something, you sure you need both replaced. I've heard of knocking a hole through the middle.

Janicholson · Jan 11, 2019

My best advice is to purchase the cats and use adapters to place them where they belong. If you are a wire welder capable person you could weld them in place. If not, have an exhaust company weld them to your existing pipes. Another option is to remove the bad cat and have the adapters welded on to be the same length ans angle of flanges. Then install them yourself. jim

Mutt and Jeff · Jan 11, 2019

There is perhaps another problem. Unless diagnosed by a very competent tech, don't be so fast to shoot the cat.

On a humorous side, maybe it's the dog did it. Every time I say dog poop he drops his head and disappears.

Good luck

37chief · Jan 11, 2019

I haven't made the final decision on the cats. I am going to purchase a heat sensor to measurement inlet, and exit ends of the ct. right now all I have to go on, is the inlet pipe gets real hot real fast, and I can keep my hand on the exit end of the cat. for a while. From that, It's a good indication one cat, is bad. I haven't checked the other side yet. Too many other things going on. I am not in a hurry, I have another pickup I can use. Stan

ss55 · Jan 11, 2019

How much value is left in the truck (book value), maybe $5,000 to $10,000? If you are in a state that checks emissions, it could be tough to trade-in a vehicle with non-working emission system. It might be worth paying someone the $69 to $129 to diagnose the problem correctly before throwing parts at it.

DoubleO7 · Jan 11, 2019

Driving slow all the time will clog up and kill cats faster than high miles driven.
Go out onto the interstate and drive at 70mph for 30 miles or more.
It can be scary but if your brave, all will be good and the cats will be better for it.

David G · Jan 11, 2019

I am curious why you are replacing the cats before finishing the diagnosis.

Geo-TH,In · Jan 11, 2019

Stan I look at money a little different than most.

I have to earn $100 to buy something that costs $65, 23% fed, 3.4 state, 1 % local and $7% sales tax . So every $65 I save is like earning $100.

So a penny saved isn't the same as a penny earned.

Glenn F. · Jan 11, 2019

Somehow I just don't think that's your problem.

Glenn F.

M-MAN · Jan 11, 2019

Problem is the aftermarket cats don't last long. If you have comply with the emissions test and plan on keeping it go with oem cats.

37chief · Jan 11, 2019

Ford don't make them anymore. I need one that is approved for my glorious state of California. Example My Dodge passed smog last year. Just because it didn't have the correcet Ca correct numbers on the cat. I had to have it replaced. Stan

jimg.allentown · Jan 11, 2019

Unless you are CERTAIN that the cat is bad, you need to do more diagnosis to be sure that it is the problem.

As far as aftermarket cats go, the only one to get is the Walker direct fit. It comes with the same warranty that your original cat came with. And, there is no fancy welding or other fabrication to do. If the cat is approved for California, you can be sure that it is not a piece of junk. As I understand it, it has to meet OEM performance and durability to be legal to be sold in CA. For that matter, there are some OEM cats that are made by Walker originally.

To the guy that recommended knocking a hole through the middle: That is no solution. All that will do is generate a P0420a trouble code which is an instant failure on an emission test. Not a good solution. Taping over the light or taking out the bulb has basically the same result. Will not pass an emission test.

robgIN · Jan 11, 2019

did you drop the exhaust down to see if it runs ok to verify the cat is plugged? Don't have to remove, just loosen the y pipe bolts to the end of the threads so it can breathe if the cat is causing the issue you will know it then.

SVcummins · Jan 11, 2019

Stan I wish I was closer I?d come put them on for you maybe we could do some trading on that 5020 .

chadsd · Jan 11, 2019

when converters get plugged, it takes a long time, months or longer, did you problem happen over night. Maybee paying someone 100 bucks to diagnose it would be money well spent. I am a mehcanic by trade, i have seen it too many times, people throw hundreds of dollars on parts, and does not fix the problem. Verify the part is bad before replacing, a pressure gauge in front of the converter, will diagnose a plugged converter, not a temp gun.

showcrop · Jan 12, 2019

(quoted from post at 18:14:28 01/11/19) Ford don't make them anymore. I need one that is approved for my glorious state of California. Example My Dodge passed smog last year. Just because it didn't have the correcet Ca correct numbers on the cat. I had to have it replaced. Stan

I'll bet that Ford has yet to make their first cat.

jimg.allentown · Jan 12, 2019

Thinking back, I remember working on one that the entire left bank was dead. Cat was cold, exhaust was low volume. Investigation showed that it was not firing the coils or the injectors on that bank. Further investigation revealed a bad PCM. I went to the junkyard to get a usable one for test purposes and verified that the PCM was indeed bad. Unfortunately, in this day and age of high tech with VIN numbers and mileage being recorded in the PCMs, it was necessary to get a replacement PCM. It had to be flashed with the correct VIN and mileage.

You need to verify whether the injectors are being fired and verify that there is spark getting to each cylinder.

If a cat is plugged, the usual way that they get plugged is when they get loose in their internal mountings and eventually get eroded away enough to allow the internal part to turn and block the flow. When a cat plugs otherwise, it happens gradually over time - not all at once like in your case.

Somebody needs to roll up their sleeves and spend some good diagnostic time under the hood before you start replacing expensive parts like catalytic converters. It will be money well spent!

gregww · Jan 12, 2019

(quoted from post at 16:50:40 01/11/19) Driving slow all the time will clog up and kill cats faster than high miles driven.
Go out onto the interstate and drive at 70mph for 30 miles or more.
It can be scary but if your brave, all will be good and the cats will be better for it.

everal years ago I was on a toll road with my Dodge truck. I slowed at the toll booth to pay toll. Went to take off again, and I could not get up to 10 MPH let alone 70 MPH. I don't know if this is common with a bad cat, but that's what the dealer said he replaced. This was on a Sunday. I had to have the truck towed. I was 200 miles from home. Had to get a motel. I was stuck with what they told me.

Will it even make a differenced

37chief

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VicS

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Janicholson

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Mutt and Jeff

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37chief

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ss55

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DoubleO7

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David G

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Geo-TH,In

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Glenn F.

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M-MAN

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37chief

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jimg.allentown

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robgIN

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SVcummins

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chadsd

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showcrop

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jimg.allentown

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gregww

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