Removed catalytic converters
 

Hi

A few weeks ago I was on a long trip and the exhaust started overheating and burnt the carpet under the 3rd row seats. Around the same time the VSC, TRAC and CEL lights came on.

I had someone have a look under the car and found that there was a hole in the exhaust. They advised me to remove the catalytic converters, under the belief that they were clogged up and the reason for the hole.

Now the car feels a lot more powerful but the lights are still on. I took the car to a shop who hooked up a computer and erased the lights. I haven't driven much since so I don't know if the lights will come back on, but they said I should put new cats back in otherwise I will damage my engine. Is this true? Will I lose the performance again?

Thanks
Eric

you will lose performance for sure once cats are back in... your engine won't be damaged... you will not pass emission if your state does gas analysis... gl

Cats = good for environment, bad for performance.

Kinda like Ethanol in your gas. At least, that's been my experience.

You wont ruin your engine if your catless.

A lot of places in the world do not have emissions testing. In many cases, the environment is such that it is unnecessary (good winds, etc.) unlike that place I used to live in called Mexico City.

A lack of cats will not damage the engine. The only negative thing in the case of the vehicle is that there can be a loss of back pressure and you might not get good takeoff, but I would generally see that in smaller 4 cylinder vehicles and not a V8. Might also be louder, but again, lack of cats won't affect the vehicle.

I see that you are out of the country. As stated by other, if there is no emiissions check, leaving them off doesn't damage the engine. You engine may sound a little louder. If you plan to ship your truck to a different residence, like the USA, I believe that you may go through a visual inspection at that time. May want to hang on to them (wall art, lawn ornament, etc.)

Thanks for all the input. Indeed I live out of the USA. In Angola there are no emissions checks so that part is not a problem.

The back pressure thing I do not agree with. I have noticed more performance, definitely.

Good to know. As I mentioned earlier, the backpressure issue I would see generally in a 4 cylinder vehicle, not something like the V8. I have a 2006 Toyota 4Runner V8 RWD (same engine as equivalent year GX470s) and with only about 55K miles (89K km) on the clock, I have not yet done anything with the exhaust, but plan to in the future like I've done with my RX300.

In Florida, we have not had emissions tests for almost 12 years (and when they were here they were limited to certain counties). I always found these silly for here given we have good winds, low elevation. I have seen my mileage go down with the 10% ethanol sold in this state, so claims of better emissions to me leave me scratching my head when I am not getting as good mpg.

Only thing to watch is to make sure whatever piping they welded in where the cats used to be stays free of any kind of rust or corrosion.

And if I didn't mention it before...Welcome to CL ;)

Thanks Lexmex!

Good to know there are others out there who can help me out!

As long as we're on the subject of engine lights, does anyone know how to get rid of the MAINT REQD light?

Regards
Eric

Should be the same as in my 4Runner,

1. Turn key to ON and make sure odometer (number of mile and not one of the two Trip A or Trip B readings) is showing
2. Turn key to OFF
3. Turn key to ON while holding down the trip meter reset knob until the MAINT light goes off, and you will know this as it should flash for a few seconds and then goes off

^ that should work.

1. Turn ignition switch to "ON" position
2. Set odometer/trip display to "ODO" mode
3. Turn ignition switch to "OFF" position
4. Depress and hold the Trip Meter "RESET" button while turning the ignition switch to the "ON" position
5. The service maintenance reminder light will:

i. Illuminate solidly for 3 seconds
ii. Blink for 2 seconds
iii. Illuminate solidly for 1 second
iv. Turn off

6. Release the Trip Meter "RESET" button
7. Turn the ignition switch to the "OFF" position
8. Turn the ignition to the "ON" position and confirm that the service maintenance reminder light goes out.

Is this process the same for those with & w/o nav?

Try and it see, you cant hurt anything.....

Yay it worked!

I suppose it will come on automatically in 5000 miles?

Where do you guys learn these things?

Find out what the code is.