1998 Contour - big probs

Well, my catalytic converters are totally shot, there was a plug up in
the exhaust, and it blew a hose somewhere i guess. something like 75%
power loss, and horrible gas mileage, the car is basically dead but i
have to drive to school and back.

my dad suggests that we can just gouge out the catalytic converters/
exhaust system, let the engine breath properly that way, and replace
the oil pan, replug the hose(s), and the car should run fine again.

comments? suggestions? i'm looking for help, i'm not really sure how
to go about this, but not having a car to reliably drive is really
driving me insane.

On Mon, 7 Jan 2008 20:01:14 -0800 (PST), izisvi DeleteThis @gmail.com wrote:

>Well, my catalytic converters are totally shot, there was a plug up in
>the exhaust, and it blew a hose somewhere i guess. something like 75%
>power loss, and horrible gas mileage, the car is basically dead but i
>have to drive to school and back.
>
>my dad suggests that we can just gouge out the catalytic converters/
>exhaust system, let the engine breath properly that way, and replace
>the oil pan, replug the hose(s), and the car should run fine again.
>
>comments? suggestions? i'm looking for help, i'm not really sure how
>to go about this, but not having a car to reliably drive is really
>driving me insane.

If you live in California or New York (or one of the urban areas
that requires a biennial smog check) better get the cats replaced, and
whatever else needs fixing, the right way.

Because if you ream the catalytics out and put them back, the car
will run better but the computer will see it through the downstream
oxygen sensors (loss of catalyst function) and trip the Check Engine
Light. With a set code and lit CEL you aren't going to pass smog, so
no tags the next time they come up for renewal.

For the cat to die on a 9 year old car, you either drove the wheels
off, or got unlucky.

--<< Bruce >>--