2003 SSEi clogged catalytic converter
#1
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2003 SSEi clogged catalytic converter
My SSEi is still running fine but want to be proactive. Don't have symptoms yet..just codes. Car has 300k miles, original factory exhaust. Don't have money at this time for a new cat. Would a temporary pipe replacement cause me troubles? Thanks for your input...
#5
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#6
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These codes appear to confirm my thinking.
If that is accurate, you won't see issues for a long time other than the smell from the tailpipe, the light on the dash, and slightly-lower fuel economy. In this case the catalyst is all worn out, probably starting to get coated by carbon like the rest of the exhaust system, and isn't processing the exhaust properly. In this case it won't melt and will probably not clog up for tens of thousands of miles or more. Only real problem I'd predict is that when you do finally get it replaced you'll have to replace both oxygen sensors at the same time. They'll be all carboned up and do a bad job of measuring the new catalytic converter and likely ruin it. Bright side is you probably needed new oxygen sensors anyways and they're not horribly expensive.
The other potential issue you may run into is a chunk of the core of the catalytic converter breaking off inside and turning sideways at the outlet end of the catalytic converter. This will plug things up and make the car run poorly or not at all. Keep an ear out for rattling from the catalytic converter, that'* your only warning at this stage.
If you are in an emissions-controlled area and have a deadline to replace the catalytic converter, plan on doing it about a week before your test. Replace the catalytic converter and all oxygen sensors at the same time then drive it around so the PCM has time to figure things out before being put on the spot.
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