Eliaquim

Hello!

First I had a bad O2 sensor (downstream, after cat). replaced the sensor after some time (did not know first that it could ruin my cats). After replacing the O2 sensor I got P0420 and P0430 for bad cats. There is no emissions control here. And ordering the cats from another continent is very expensive. The mechanic told me to just remove the honeycomb material inside the housing.

If I do that, will my car become too noisy? Will my engine suffer?
Some people say to just leave it like it is. Still some say a clogged cat strains the engine. Does it?

Thank you!

Eliaquim

Also, they say bad fuel affects catalytic converters over time. Do not know how fast, but i think our fuel is not that premium here in Angola. So, I'm affraid if I replace the cats, I will have to do it again in few months.

RX330inFL

Lexmex might be a good person to jump in here for commentary. He knows many of the ills which may befall a vehicle exposed to poor gas quality from his time in Mexico and at the shop there. Has also done some mods in the past.

fastnoypi

your engine wont suffer but you may not like your exhaust sound. A clogged cat will strain the engine by providing a bit more backpressure than was designed.
If you dont like the resulting sound, you can have a resonator welded in the place of the cats to help.

Eliaquim

The idea of a resonator is good. One more thing. There are 2 cats on the RX330. Which one does normally die first?

Eliaquim

Thanks, RX330inFL! I'll try to contact Lexmex!

nipponbird

Elia you got me confused here, how can you have low quality fuel if your Cabinda province is floating on oil? OK, on a more serious note. if you still have a choice to fill up with a leaded (or substitute), a previous owner could've done a couple of tanks on it, which will explain the trouble you have with oxygen sensors and the cat.

Eliaquim

We export oil and import most of the gas. Now I'm not sure about the quality. I just do not think we have premium. Anyone knows of good place where I can get resonators? Also, someone said that I should replace the other o2 sensor and maybe the codes will disappear. But there is no error code for that sensor. What do you say?

Eliaquim

There is one resonator before the muffler. Is that not Enough? If I add one, where would it be?

RX330inFL

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/rx-...magnaflow.html

Eliaquim

Thank you!

Eliaquim

What about the signs sent by the 02 sensor? Will it affect how the engine works?

fastnoypi

Unless you have an exhaust leak to introduce more air ..to trick the sensor that you have a lean condition, it will not affect how the engine works.

Depending on the factory ecu fueling compensations, you may or may not experience a slight loss in torque due to decreased back pressure when removing the cats in a normally aspirated car.

Eliaquim

OK! And what is the best I can do about the bad smell?

Eliaquim

Hello, again!

That awful smell entering the cabin on acceleration is killing me. Is it because of the cats not being in place? Can anyone tell me what to do to avoid this smell? Also, do you think that it is good to get those cheap catalytic converters that can be welded in place of the ones I removed?

Thank you!