03 expedition, catalatyc converter

I cut the guts out of my catalatyc converters on my 03 ford expedition 4.6 liter. They were plugged, and it was too expensive to replace. It ran good for awhile. Now the engine surges at idle, etc.
Do you think the O2 sensors are causing this? And if they are, can I bypass or eliminate them?
New converters, pipe, sensors, etc... are too much money. The vehicle has 150,000 miles on it.
All else on it is in good shape.

Thank you, Phillip

Sorry but I think you made a costly mistake.

First off you should've figured out what caused the convertors to go bad.
What codes are you seeing now?
You cannot by-pass the 02 sensors. They're what control the computer and tell it how to react to the needs of the running condition.
How will you pass the emmissions test for inspection?
Your vehicle is now non-compliant with the law.

My best suggestion is to find an exhaust system in a salvage yard or pay the premium price of a new system.
Then get a diagnostic test on the emmisions control system and make the proper repairs.

This forum would've helped you through your problems systematically and saved you quite a bit of money and time.

We all learn by mistakes....sometimes costly ones.

Please do not take this post negatively or see it as sarcasm. I'm just trying to point you in the right direction.

Michigan doesn't have emissions tests. So I don't have to comply with any. The codes originally indicated bad catalatyc converters. The vehicle barely ran. The catalatyc converters were plugged up almost completely, that's why I cut the guts out of them. The estimate for new converters was $2200.00. I am not spending that on a vehicle with 150,000 miles on it. Getting some junk at a junkyard that is probably worse than what is on it,is money ill spent.
The vehicle ran fine for 8 months with no converters. The surging can be controlled for city driving with proper foot anagement of tha gas pedal. We live in the sticks, so most driving is okay.
My wife drives it occassionally, and I would prefer she didn't have to do that.
I know there is a way to fool the computer and the O sensors. After all, the motor beneath all the emissions junk is still a standard 4.6 liter.
I'm not going back to catalatyc converters, so please give me some advice that's useful.

The best thing to do at this point, Is to pull the codes that are stored in the ECM. The codes will steer you in the right direction as to where the problems are. This would provide the most logical starting point. Post your codes on this forum or get the codes scanned at the parts supplier so they can direct you towards your problems.

Short of that you will just be wasting time, However there are basic things to look for.

Leaking vacuum lines.
Sticking EGR valve.
Filthy throttle body.
Plugged fuel filter.
Tune up components, air filter, plugs , wires ect.

There arent any real ways of performing trickery to your computer. The O2 sensors are the items that sense the running condition of the vehicle and when they appear to be the problem they are sending signals to the computer to make adjustments so the vehicle will run correct. The computer can only make so many adjustments and can not correct for all the faulty conditions.

You may find that with proper diagnostics that there is a faulty component that is very simple to replace or repair which will save you time and money and get you back to speed very easily.

Hope you find this information useful.

The original codes read that the cataltyc converters were bad.
I am told that that is common on this model with that amount of milage.
All the things you suggest have been done.
I differ with you on not being able to bypass the O sensors.
There are after-market products sold on line that does this.
Anyone out there know what I am talking about?
I also read on the internet, to simply cut the wires to the O sensors and re-soldered them to by-pass the O sensor. They then plugged the wiring harness back in, and everything ran normally.
Isn't this what you do when you put headers on?
Anyone have any information on that idea?

I am not aware of these fix-all after market products and have never exercised this type of repair. Even with headers, I'm quite certain the use of the O2 sensors would still come into play.

Perhaps someone else can be of assistance in your quest for your type of repair.

Thank's for the opportunity to try and help you resolve your situation. I hope you get the reponce from other members that you are looking for.

Keep us posted on your results. I'll be very interested to see how you make out.

Best regards.

Thanks for the info.
Anyone else got any information on this problem?

There is a kit that you can get that will by pass the O2 sensors . I have never seen one, but if youy search the net, you probably can find one. If you wire the wires together, you are either going to dump too much fuel or not enough.

Thanks for the info. That's what I'm looking for.
Does anyone have anything specific, as far as a vendor for this?

[quote=johnjamesv;5970591]Michigan doesn't have emissions tests. So I don't have to comply with any.
Oh yes you do it is called FEDERAL EMISSION STANDARDS

. The estimate for new converters was $2200.00.
Cheaper than the Fine if you get caught tampering with emissions on a vehicle

I am not spending that on a vehicle with 150,000 miles on it.
You cannot legally sell it with a non-compliant exaust for use on the highway.
Getting some junk at a junkyard that is probably worse than what is on it,is money ill spent.
The vehicle ran fine for 8 months with no converters. The surging can be controlled for city driving with proper foot anagement of tha gas pedal. We live in the sticks, so most driving is okay.
My wife drives it occassionally, and I would prefer she didn't have to do that.
I know there is a way to fool the computer and the O sensors. After all, the motor beneath all the emissions junk is still a standard 4.6 liter.
I'm not going back to catalatyc converters, so please give me some advice that's useful.
take the vehicle to the crusher if you don't want to fix it right and keep it legal for on highway use.

[/quote
just my 2 cents

We all can't be legal all of the time.
Our pockets aren't that deep!
Its easy to regulate when you have the money to pay for the regs.
Most of us don't have the $ for every regulation that's sent down.

Is there anyone out there that can help.
Text book answers are not what I need.