Catalytic Converter Help

[Big Sarge]

2000 Expedition XLT
Triton V8, 5.4L... nothing special yet (just bought it a few months ago).

Ok, so after replacing a half melted EGR sensor, EGR sensor hoses, EGR valve, flushing coolant system, replacing a radiator, hoses, and thermostat Ex runs great! (still no heat in the back when I turn the fan on full but I haven't found any threads addressing the FIX)

...30 minutes later, the Ex starts sputtering and spitting white-ish exhaust (its cold here) and it smells like rotten eggs. (bad cat I hope is the white smoke culprit, no milkshake oil thankfully)

Driver side cats are rattling like pebbles inside, o2 sensor to that cat and o2 sensor after the second cat is toast (haven't checked the pass-side cats or sensors yet).

***I don't care about emissions testing or whats legal, I am just curious if I will throw codes without a delete on the rear o2 sensors and how it will affect performance for good, bad, or ugly...HELP

Questions are:

Can I put one new cat on each side, replace all o2 sensors and just pop in some new inlets for the post-cat o2 sensors and has anyone done this?

I read on here about rear cat deletes for the o2 sensors... How do I delete them and what kind of tuner would I need?

Lastly, I am on a military single income family of 3 budget...looking for a cheap but effective solution without creating additional problems to my Ex.

Thanks in advance for any words of wisdom and experiences.



Also, it's currently throwing the infamous P0171 & P0174 codes... PCV hose and elbows felt/looked good, clean MAF sensor, I am going to clean the throttle body later and check out the PCV valve later as well...could this be from a clogged cat? Or that I put a K&N air filter on it?

 

[Canadian Expy]

People have deleted the rear cats and not thrown codes. ( no reprogramming )
So replace all 4 O2's and put on two new high flow cats and your good to go.
Edge programmers are the best way to go. $ for $

 

[SkyJumper]

Before buying new O2's, which can be expensive, I would first address the cat issue. You stated that the cat or cats on the D/S are rattleing. The issue is the clay inside is probably cracked up and falling apart inside. The smell of rotten eggs is from faulty or clogged cats. I have on many occassions on different vehicles taken the cats off and beat the inards out of a cat and reinstalled a hollow cat. The cat is there for visual inspection, but is hollow. Now, I would at least keep one cat on each side functionable to keep the CELS to a minimum or non at all. You can get yourself a couple of universal high flows at your local auto store on the cheap. The O2's I would take out, inspect, and take a wire brush to the tip shrouds, and take some degreaser and spray them off at the tip. Let them dry and reinstall them. Try that and see what you get, but remember to clear your existing CELS before you start up after this tune up as mentioned.

 

[Big Sarge]

Starting the job now, I'll upload pics tonight or tomorrow. 4 new o2s, two o2 spacer mini cats, two new magnaflow cats, and a 90* pipe to put in place of the 90* cat... Wish me luck!

 

[Big Sarge]

Oh, and a metal recycling place is giving me $50 per old cat, even the clogged ones!

 

[Big Sarge]

Ok, so this job is taking longer than expected... Outside in the driveway with no lift, and mid-30s plus the windchill... All of my pipes were rusted together and the clamps were rusted on too. Needless to say, a few cuts with a sawzall was necessary to get the system off. Also the 90* pipes I bought aren't going to work in place of the "90*" cats because the cats are actually at almost a 135* so I will be getting custom pipes made for that...YAAY

 

[SkyJumper]

Why not do as I mentioned earlier, and that being beat the inside of the cat out of it and use the cat by putting it on hollow. Les work and time involved. Just an idea for you to make things simpler.

 

[joshuajack]

Why not do as I mentioned earlier, and that being beat the inside of the cat out of it and use the cat by putting it on hollow. Les work and time involved. Just an idea for you to make things simpler.

You will definitely throw codes. I had a local exhaust specialty shop replace all the cats with magnaflow. It cost me about $800. Better than the stealership!y