plugged cat

[Mike Arman]

Regarding removal of pollution control and other/various smog control 
devices, I *think* the Feds say that shops can't remove them at all, but 
owners can if the car is more than 5 years old and (or) has at least 
50,000 miles on it.

Notwithstanding the federal regs, there are states that require this 
stuff to work no matter what the age or the mileage (California comes to 
mind) and there are other states/local jurisdictions that don't care as 
long as the car passes the sniff test, and there are places that don't 
care period.

That said, remember that the ECU expects and is programmed for certain 
conditions of operation (back pressure should be X, air inlet temp 
should be Y, and so forth), so that removing the cat may upset something 
else in these notably picky and finicky cars.

I'd suggest pulling the codes first. That will tell you what's really 
wrong with the car. The "check engine" light is like a baby crying, all 
it tells you is that something is wrong, not WHAT is wrong.

Dealers tend not to like simple repairs, they don't make much money on 
them. It is much more profitable for them to claim the cat is plugged 
and you need a new one (or two) at $,$$$ and they'll fix the one-wire 
plug that fell off (which is the actual problem) as they install your 
new exhaust system.

Personally, I like the Florida inspection system - none.

Best Regards,

Mike Arman
90V8Q