Catalytic converter crisis

[Twitch2120]

Go to AutoZone and get them to read the code. Cats, as has been said, rarely go bad. Cel is popped by bad O2 sensors or clogged/bad egr. Dealerships love to tell you your $1500 cat is bad then replace a $100 O2 sensor. Don't trust em as far as I can throw em. YouTube will help you learn what to look for and how to swap it. I've done brakes, O2, starters and window motors this way.

Also, on a side note. Check your gas cap. Cel will pop when the cap let's air in. That's another $20 easy fix

 

[Zombie Ninja]

Walker/DynoMax sells cats and y pipe equipped exhaust parts in oem fitments. Call Summit, they got the best prices.

 

[J.B]

Check rockauto, you're not likely to find anything cheaper than what they have, and they do sell OE stuff. Quick look at what they have for your year/model (don't know if you have V6 or V8) it appears you can pick either up for under $200/ea. I've ordered numerous times from them and you can't beat their prices or expedient shipping. It has already been mentioned, but take your Explorer to Advance Auto or AutoZone and have them scan it for you...they can tell you which bank (converter) is the bad one, if at all. It could be an O2 sensor, as was also mentioned and they sell for around $30 on rockauto.

Good Luck!

 

[shadowchaser59]

I just skimmed through the thread. THIS is what I did I ordered a universal catalytic converter from advance auto parts online. that way you can get a discount, I picked it up in the store not shipped. you need to know the pipe size before hand. I got the converter for around $75. I took it to my local muffler shop independent one no big name brand shop. and had it installed. if you want to know the shop it's K&C muffler in dawsonville. good folks want rip you off. you buy it they will install it and you save not having them buy it. trucks been passing emission test for five years now.
I checked and you can still get one at advance in that price range. discount code H42
good luck with your decision

 

[00formula6spd]

Also yours don't require a sniffer, just visual. " I think" O2's can be turned off if the program is out there. I may be wrong.

 

[Ken Ford]

Google is your friend.
When I was fleet manager for a PD Ford wanted 1500 for a set of converters. Got a set for $350 high quality. Don't remember the site. Modern systems are easy to replace, pretty much plug and play.

 

[woodstock]

From this thread it appears that fords have a problem with cats, whats up with that? Their emissions systems that delicate?

Ive never had to replace a cat (mostly GM-here we go...), except when I did an engine change on a vehicle and that was simply a precautionary.

 

[41mag]

Ford converters are the best. If you are having a cat efficiency code coming up it may not be the converter. There are 20 different things that will cause an efficiency code to pop up. Everything from a vacume leak to the cat being bad. Get a diagnostic from someone good. Not a code reading but an actual diag run. It's not cheap. Usually an hour or two.
Federal law requires converters and computers to be warranty for 8 years or 80,000 miles. Lots of mfg warranty emissions related components for 100,000 and 10 yrs. check your warranty.
Also clear code and drive for 100 miles ( city not highway) then go to emissions station and ask for the pre test for readiness. If it will pass go ahead and test it. Tests are good for 12 months or 1 tag from same owner.
i am a certified master tech and emission inspector. Had my own station for 12 yrs.

Oh, and the aftermarket converters( the cheap ones) will usually only last a year, if that. You will need an OBD II compliant converter if you replace it. Otherwise you are just wasting money.

 

[letusbuyyourcar]

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[letusbuyyourcar]

From this thread it appears that fords have a problem with cats, whats up with that? Their emissions systems that delicate?

Ive never had to replace a cat (mostly GM-here we go...), except when I did an engine change on a vehicle and that was simply a precautionary.

Well I had to "replace" the breadloaf convertor on my Mom''s 03 Impala. It had the car running rough back in 2012. So we "replaced" it and the CEL stays on now. But the car runs great. I'm glad I don't live in emissions country.