Can I drive with a gunked up catalytic converter

[Quasmo]

Last night I was driving home, and my "Service Engine Soon" light came on. I took it to a shop this morning and found out I needed a new catalytic converter. How far can I go without worry? (The shop can't replace it)

 

[DarkKnight69]

depending on ur car and where u live, take it to muffler shop and have it cut out...

 

[BoomerD]

Depends on how it's borked. some will plug, and restrict the exhaust, others will just go bad, and trip the check engine light. In any event, it will most likely screw up your fuel computer if the car is new enough to have OBDII. Probalby bork the downstream O2 sensor as well.

 

[Quasmo]

Originally posted by: DarkKnight69
depending on ur car and where u live, take it to muffler shop and have it cut out...

But then I have to pay $900 to replace it.

It's a 1999.5 Nissan Pathfinder. I've been pushing it lately, hauling film equipment everywhere. '

He said the O2 sensors looked fine.

 

[DainBramaged]

I drove for a year or so without a catalytic converter. My problems with that were: 1) I couldn't find anyone to put one on where they weren't taking one off. 2) When I moved to Illinois, there was no way I was passing Lake County emissions standards.

 

[Futher]

I had my converter go on my 2002 Nissan Xterra. The warranty was up, but I brought it to a Nissan dealer and they said there was an open recall on many catalytic converters. You should check that out before you spend the money.

 

[OS]

straight pipe ftw

 

[OrganizedChaos]

does the engine feel weaker than you remember? if its efficiency has just droped out of spec i wouldn't worry about it. if its actually clogged where its restricting the exhause i'd be afraid of cooking an exhaust valve.

 

[thedarkwolf]

$900 lol You can buy a universal fit cat for well under $100 and take it to an exhaust shop and have them weld it in.

 

[weirdichi]

Originally posted by: thedarkwolf
$900 lol You can buy a universal fit cat for well under $100 and take it to an exhaust shop and have them weld it in.

Agreed. I bought a universal cat on eBay for $28 shipped for my 91 Integra. Of course the price will diff among cars, but even $900 for a catalytic converter is in the realm of Mr. Mechanic meets Mrs. Housewife.