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1997 Exedition - Eddie Bauer


JesusFreak4Real
01-16-2008, 06:47 PM
Greetings! My soldier has a 97 Expedition-Eddie Bauer Edition that he is having to do some tune up work and some other things on. He won the vehicle in a divorce settlement and before the witch (:banghead: ) turned the vehicle over to him she darn near torn the thing up. Anyway... he was getting ready to come home for Christmas in it... driving to Indiana from Ft. Carson, CO. When he got approximately 30 miles from base he noticed that there were some sparks coming out of the exhaust. My husband and I were wondering if it is the Catalytic Converter. Other people are thinking the same thing. There is a reasonably priced mechanic near base he can take it to, but he has to buy the catalytic converter himself. Can anyone give me information regarding the Catalytic Converter on a 97-Expedition (5.4L)?????

Is there any pertinent info I should relay to him? Is this a piece that requires welding?

Thanks a heap! :grinyes:
Vanessa
Proud Military Mom
Of
Jacob - Army Combat Medic
&
Scott - Veteran Airman

Davescort97
01-16-2008, 11:27 PM
The sparks coming out of the exhaust indicate the catalytic converter is overheated due to excess oil or fuel going into the exhaust system. This should be fixed before putting on a new converter. A universal fit catalytic converter can be had for around $100. It may have to be welded into the system. I'm not sure about that. It may just need to be clamped onto the existing exhaust system. Army Combat Medic. I'd put it on for him for free.

JesusFreak4Real
01-17-2008, 04:46 PM
Thanks for the quick reply.
Any ideas as to what would be causing too much fuel or oil to go through the exhaust??? I'll be looking into it and also pick my husband's brain for a while to see. Neither one of us are mechanics, except what necessity has caused us to be. I was always the import tuner person and was more into tricking them out instead of repairs.
Thanks for your help. If you were at Ft. Carson we'd bring it to you. Thanks!!!!
Wish all people felt that way! Indiana just had 3400 National Guard Soldiers deploy - our largest since WWII. Our Governor had a huge going away ceremony for them at the RCA dome in Indianapolis. The parking garages there thought it would be an opportune time to make money and omitted the Military Discount that day and charged people $24 to park for 3 hours. Nice huh????? If anyone ever goes to Indianapolis, Indiana for a game at the RCA dome and you need to park. Park at the Circle Center Mall parking garage - $3 for the whole day!!!! Take the money away from those who still from our military families and heroes.
Thanks again for your help!
Vanessa
Proud Military Mom
of
Jacob - Army Combat Medic (Operation Iraqi Freedom 05-07)
&
Scott - Veteran Airman

Davescort97
01-17-2008, 11:30 PM
It's more likely that too much fuel is going into the engine for it to burn. Excess oil would shortly plug up the converter. Also, the sparks coming out the back indicate too much fuel. It could be something as simple as a dirty air cleaner element. Different sensors monitoring the engine could be at fault too. An example would be the Intake Air Temperature (IAT) sensor sending a code to the computer that the air mass was colder than it really was. Could be the Engine Coolant Termperature (ECT) sensor giving a reading that the engine was cold even when warmed up. Could be the Mass Air Flow (MAF) sensor indicating that more air was going into the engine than in actuality. The Throttle Position Sensor (TPS) could be indicating that the throttle was open more than it actually was. If any of these sensors are in error usually the engine will make the Check Engine Light (CEL) come on. If you are getting a code it can be pulled by a code reader. They will pull the codes for free at any Autozone parts place, then you would have a better chance of fixing it without throwing too many parts into it. Eventually the catylitic converter will get plugged up if the problem isn't resolved. At this point I think the converter is toast, but don't get another until the problem of excessive fuel is taken care of. All the best. Dave

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