Umm.. I think I figured out my problem but not sure (pics inside)

[plethaus]

Since the weather is pretty nice today I decided to try swapping the O2 sensors on my car... well, when I pulled the old ones out, here is what I found:

Now if I'm not mistaken, those little bits of crap that are stuck inside the O2's is material from inside the cats. So I'm thinking my cats are shot. As soon as I looked at them, I figured bad cats because I read this from SHOTimes a few weeks ago:

"I have rebuilt seven engines due to converter failure. When the thermostat sticks open, the computer keeps the engine in a rich mode. This kills the fuel milage and also overheats the cats which burn off the extra fuel that doesn't get burned in the engine. When the cats overheat, they break up along the leading edge and the pieces fall to the bottom of the chamber.

Now, what do you think happens to these pieces when you buzz the engine up to 6500 in second and take your foot off the gas? The intake manifold becomes a huge vacuum chamber and the pieces get sucked right back up into the engine!! It's like dumping beach sand into the throttle body."

I've never seen catalytic convertor material but I'm guessing that's what it is. Hopefully I caught it before any major damage was done...

Now the question is.. how can I get this fixed for CHEAP? I would just get an exhaust shop to make up a catless-y until I can get something nicer but all the shops around here are afraid to do so and get in trouble.

 

[black92]

Molly,
Looks like you found a major problem. I swaped O2's on my 91 and it made a huge difference. I think it would be very wise to replace the y-pipe and O2's.

 

[plethaus]

My next question would be, where to get a cheap y-pipe replacement.. preferrably with cats although something catless would be OK too.

 

[Mrhappytuzi]

You could...

Find one in a Junk yard if your broke and looking for anything that'll work..
Goto a local muffler shop and they might be able to make you one.
or spend the extra cash and pick one up from Summit or Shobros..

 

[1993MTXSHO]

im broke, my cats crumbled, I cut them open with a dremel took the remainder of the baffles out and welded the pices back on. Cost... power to run welder... however it was my friends so it cost me nothing I might not passemissiosn however so know that when you go to inspection youll probably have to replace them.

 

[black92]

Magnaflow
Its going to be the cheapest you'll find.

 

[Kickinsho]

Molly,

start checking into classifieds on the different lists etc. for the y-pipe. I had to cut out the cats on my '93 and get new ones welded back in, not cheap! However, if you have to pass emissions, you might be between a rock and a hard place. Just remember for emissions to be waived, I believe you need to have $200 or so in total repair costs from a listed emissions repair shop for them to let you go. If you do it yourself, it will not matter how much you spend, they will not waive it! BTDT.


Take a drive over to a county that does not have emissions, and have them weld the pipe. I am not sure if it is a state wide thing or not. Just thoughts........

 

[Mrhappytuzi]

Its not state wide..

 

[98TRSHO]

PM KZOOSHO he's parting out a 93 and I do believe he has a y-pipe.