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[amba]

Starting to get fed up constantly needing to erase above fault codes which has become progressively worse over the last month or so.Would come on maybe once a week,but now is almost daily despite only running car on Premium unleaded and even adding a bottle of cataclean to see if that would work.

Question raised are is this the impending death of both catalytic converters as both banks 1 and 2 will throw up codes or could this be the lambda sensors ending their life..or both ?

I assume cats are original so 12/13 years old but had read they will last/work for 30+ years with no adverse effects assuming no overfueling or contamination which I am pretty sure has happened with my cars engine in the past.

Do I just bite the bullet and buy 2 new cats and 4 sensors and hope that resolves it or can their be a more accurate diagnosis so only the faulty parts are replaced.

Assume having the back lambdas moved to " after the rear cat " could work however is this a definitve solution or wont that resolve the problem if faults elsewhere and that is not a DIY job so would require further assistance on that .

[JamesV6CDX]

Question raised are is this the impending death of both catalytic converters as both banks 1 and 2 will throw up codes or could this be the lambda sensors ending their life..or both ?

Neither. It's just the pre-cats getting tired. They contribute little, and it'll pass an emissions test without them, so perfectly fine to just re locate the sensor.

Do I just bite the bullet and buy 2 new cats and 4 sensors and hope that resolves it or can their be a more accurate diagnosis so only the faulty parts are replaced.

Assume having the back lambdas moved to " after the rear cat " could work however is this a definitve solution or wont that resolve the problem if faults elsewhere and that is not a DIY job so would require further assistance on that .

No - unless you wanted to spend a silly amount of money the only viable purchase are pattern cats, which are worse than the ones you'll have on there.

Relocating the sensors is a perfect fix

[amba]

Cheers James.

That was my thinking but unsure if it could be a faulty lambda but as its bring up codes for both banks assume I am incorrect.

Is the relocation a viable solution on aged catalytic converters ,as it doesnt look a DIY job and again assume better/necessary access can only be acheived with cats removed from car.

[Kevin Wood]

We had a party at Serek's a while ago where Mr. DTM had a bit of a cat relocation production line going on.

No problem doing it on the car with a welder + plasma cutter. You can buy the bosses to weld into the exhaust quite cheaply on ebay.

[JamesV6CDX]

Cheers James.

That was my thinking but unsure if it could be a faulty lambda but as its bring up codes for both banks assume I am incorrect.

Is the relocation a viable solution on aged catalytic converters ,as it doesnt look a DIY job and again assume better/necessary access can only be acheived with cats removed from car.

The cats will need removing, but that's not a tricky job. Any decent welder should then be able to weld a new lambda boss in

[JamesV6CDX]

I stand corrected, I thought it'd be easier with the cats removed 

[amba]

Thanks again James.

Just need to find a garage that will do that for me ...suspect they will be twitchy about working/removing older parts though without waiver .

Should I get new lambdas and just cut the wires from the originals that avaoids getting them out and plugging the old holes with a cap.

[amba]

Just need a price for the bits then and a "man" who can 

Thanks for advise guys

[Nick W]

Just need a price for the bits then and a "man" who can 

Thanks for advise guys

Quick and easy welding job with the car on a ramp. Not fun with it on the ground though, that would be easier with the cats off.

The sensors respond well to a bit of heat to get them out.
Bosses were about a fiver the last time I looked.

[amba]

Hi Nick.

No ramp access here as you know ,and dont fancy how well the manifold/downpipe joins will come apart,unless you have any solution .

Still then need a competant welder ..any suggestions as to locally who would be an ideal choice to resolve ?

[Nick W]

If you take them off and bring them to me one weekend, I'll happily weld the bosses in. That's a couple of minutes each.

Doing them on the car is a lot more faffing about though.

[amba]

Cheers for the offer Nick.

I will have a look at somepoint and see how likely they can be removed, as suspect the usual rusty bolts to mid section will need attention.Always worried about the manifold/downpipe studs as they arent easiest to get at .

Will be intouch 

[Marks DTM Calib]

There not to bad to do lying under the car to be honest, for cutting the holes you have two options, plasma cutter or sacrifice a couple of decent 25mm hole saws.

Welding the new bosses in is pretty easy on the floor.

[Nick W]

There not to bad to do lying under the car to be honest, for cutting the holes you have two options, plasma cutter or sacrifice a couple of decent 25mm hole saws.

Welding the new bosses in is pretty easy on the floor.

Most of the extra faffing about for me is moving the equipment to do the job; large welder, gas cylinder, compressor for the plasma or struggle with a drill, etc. All for a few minutes actual work.

[chrisgixer]

Faffing yes certainly.....


....but I wouldn't say its worth the agro of removing seized cat bolts that are hard to reach up the back of the engine and often need drilling off the other end,  AND then risking them not sealing too well on refitting, which can be the case for diy'ers such as us lot. Plus new gaskets x2 at best. X4 if they don't seat correctly first time.

Noooo, leave them on imo.

....although...., if removed, it does give the opportunity to smash the pre cats out altogether, as they could have shifted or crumbled and be cause a flow issue....?