Replace bad catalytic converter, or not?
- Thread starter bonswa93
- Start date
Now that is what I would expect from someone that cares about nice cars and clean air! That attitude goes back to the 70s when people thought converters made their cars run poorly. In fact most all newer cars will have poorer overall performance if the converter is removed. A second issue in removing the converter is that most newer BMWs have oxygen sensors before and after the converter. By removing the converter you will set a "check engine" light. You have a nice car--get it fixed the right way. After market converters cost much less and work fine.
Steve
Steve
It's all dependent on cost. If he doesn't have the money right now he should just put a pipe in place of the cat. You forget to mention that cars today are incredibly efficient, and aren't the 454s of the 70s. I know that a well maintained Taurus SHO without cats is able to pass emissions tests in almost all states. I do think he should eventually get it fixed right, but if money is an issue he should just take the easy route for now.
EDIT: So you're saying that I don't care about nice cars and clean air? Sir, you need to learn how to be respectful here... I DO care about clean air which is why he should get it fixed right if his budget permits. Saying I don't care about "nice" cars is also quite misinformed. I am on this board because I care about BMWs and their advancement. Think before you speak next time in a public forum... I know about the O2s before/after the cat. They are a good idea ineven further reducing emissions. If The ECU in the BMW may compensate for inaccurate readings from the rear O2s, but as a temporary fix I doubt there will be any real sigificant problems.
EDIT: So you're saying that I don't care about nice cars and clean air? Sir, you need to learn how to be respectful here... I DO care about clean air which is why he should get it fixed right if his budget permits. Saying I don't care about "nice" cars is also quite misinformed. I am on this board because I care about BMWs and their advancement. Think before you speak next time in a public forum... I know about the O2s before/after the cat. They are a good idea ineven further reducing emissions. If The ECU in the BMW may compensate for inaccurate readings from the rear O2s, but as a temporary fix I doubt there will be any real sigificant problems.
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I ordered aftermarket cats and will install them this weekend. Thanks for the help.
Note to John Wood: My wife and I owned matching SHOs in '94. Mine was a 5-speed and hers auto - both green. Neighbors accused us of trying to breed 'em. Very neat cars and performance reminds me a lot of my 528.
Note to John Wood: My wife and I owned matching SHOs in '94. Mine was a 5-speed and hers auto - both green. Neighbors accused us of trying to breed 'em. Very neat cars and performance reminds me a lot of my 528.
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Most state tail pipe tests are a joke when it comes to deciding what is "clean" . A newer car will have about a 90% reduction in measured HC,CO and NOx with a good converter vs no converter when operated under a loaded driving cycle. Most state tests that don't require a dyno do not put any load on the engine and as such most anything can be "tuned" to pass the HC and CO requirements.
If you want cleaner air keep the equipment in good working order. The second O2 sensor after the converter is there to monitor the converter operation. If you remove the converter the signals from the 2 sensors will track the same which will signal to the ECU that the converter has failed--and will set a "check engine" light.
Steve
If you want cleaner air keep the equipment in good working order. The second O2 sensor after the converter is there to monitor the converter operation. If you remove the converter the signals from the 2 sensors will track the same which will signal to the ECU that the converter has failed--and will set a "check engine" light.
Steve