Have Cali emissions: can I delete one cat??

[RussToy]

Hey guys... I live in Ohio and do NOT have any emission test to comply with. I'm pretty sure I have a bad catalytic converter, due to my code. Like most 2000, I have California emissions with two cats! I normally replace parts with factory Toyota parts...but at over $2000 for just parts...that's just crazy!!

My questions is: Can I buy one aftermarket cat...like MagnaFlow...then use it to replace both of my old factory cats? Or, would the computer know there is only one cat...due to the emissions being higher then if a had two cats...and then still throw a code?

I guess another way of asking my questions is: Is the computer, A/F, and O2 sensors Cali emission specific on our 4Runners? If not, I should be able to run only one cat...Correct??

Please Note: I understand that this could just be an O2 sensor...or other things...but due to rust issues...I plan on replacing the entire exhaust system to include new A/F and O2 sensors. Just trying to get away with buying one cat...instead of two.

Thanks for the help...

 

[PitbullRescuer]

The A/F sensor is Cali specific. I believe the O2 sensor is aswell but I can't swear to that.

Believe it or not, try a bottle of CataClean. it's made by Mr. Gasket, it works wonders. Apparently these things will throw a code if the cats are less 96% efficient. So cleaning them up just a little bit does wonders.

 

[kball]

I don't think the computer that's set up to see a two cat system is going to like one cat. The difference between pre and post cat sensors won't be good enough. Besides I believe it's illegal to change emission systems on vehicles.

 

[blue dog]

my 2000 passed with one cat in los angeles.

 

[RussToy]

my 2000 passed with one cat in los angeles.

Blue Dog, did yours originally have two and then you replaced it with just one? If so...do you have any issues with your CEL being on? Any effect on mpg??

Now, Blue dog...this isn't point at you so don't take it wrong! I just need to rant for a moment...........:mad2:..:rant:

Once again...I'm not really concerned about being illegal or passing emissions! We don't have any test here...yet!? I'm not trying to kill the planet with my nasty fumes from my gas burning, only getting 16 mpg, SUV!! If so, I would just replace both cats with pipe...buy a URD O2 simulator for $109 and never posted my question! Or better yet...just put I piece of tape over the CEL light! Honestly, I'm trying to do the right thing by putting on a new cat..trying to be somewhat legal...trying to protect our environment! But damn, at this moment in life I don't have a lot of money to waste! I know our great president (cough...cough) said the economy has recovered and is doing great...but someone forgot to tell that to my pay check!! I'm truly sorry if this question offends some tree huggers out there............Thanks! Rant is over...hopefully someone can help?!? :becky:!!!

 

[RussToy]

The A/F sensor is Cali specific. I believe the O2 sensor is aswell but I can't swear to that.

Believe it or not, try a bottle of CataClean. it's made by Mr. Gasket, it works wonders. Apparently these things will throw a code if the cats are less 96% efficient. So cleaning them up just a little bit does wonders.

I've never heard of CataClean before...is that something I can get at NAPA or order off the Internet somewhere? I'm replacing my o2 sensor, should I use this before or after I replace it? Don't know if this would hurt it...or maybe help the old one??

Thanks for the suggestion!

 

[PitbullRescuer]

I've never heard of CataClean before...is that something I can get at NAPA or order off the Internet somewhere? I'm replacing my o2 sensor, should I use this before or after I replace it? Don't know if this would hurt it...or maybe help the old one??

Thanks for the suggestion!

You can get it at pretty much any AutoParts store. PepBoys, AdvanceAuto, etc. I doubt it would hurt the O2 sensor but I'd use it before replacing just for good measure. I may actually make this stuff part of my semi-annual maintenance routine.

 

[audiness]

I have a 2000 w/ California Emissions as well. So most 2000's are cali emissions? I wonder why?

 

[PitbullRescuer]

Quick question, have you guys actually checked your emissions sticker to see it says CA emissions or are you just assuming it's CA due to having 2 cats?

 

[TheDurk]

I have a 2000 w/ California Emissions as well. So most 2000's are cali emissions? I wonder why?

By 1998, a number of other states (CT, DC, DE, NH, MD, NJ, PA, RI, VA,) including many large-population states, had voluntarily adopted the stricter Cali. standards to go into effect in 1999. In fact, this was the pre-condition established in the law for the standard, known as NLEV, to go Federal in 2001. So 2000 was the last year before 100% of the production would be moved to the new standard. One would assume they just stopped producing the old system prior to the end of the model year to simplify changeover.

 

[blue dog]

Blue Dog, did yours originally have two and then you replaced it with just one? If so...do you have any issues with your CEL being on? Any effect on mpg??

:becky:!!!

No cel, and do not know if it had 2 to begin with. it is a california truck so i assume it had 2 at some point. milage has always been the same, crappy.

 

[RussToy]

No cel, and do not know if it had 2 to begin with. it is a california truck so i assume it had 2 at some point. milage has always been the same, crappy.

Thanks for the response and the info Blue Dog...that helps a lot!

I originally wasn't going to mess with anything...just replace the the cats, both sensers and be done with it. But having to look at the CEL lit has been driving me crazy. So, last night I went ahead and cleared out the code...hoping the light would stay off...at least for a little bit anyway!! And while I was at it, I thought just for kicks, I'd see how hard it would be to remove the o2 senser. Wow...to my surprise it came out with relative ease. So, I thought I might as well go ahead and change it and see if I might get lucky with a cheap easy fix. Hey, you never know...even a blind squirrel finds a nut every once in a while...lol!!

This morning it was cold out...so I went out to warm the old girl up...and hey, still no CEL!! So we'll see. If it comes back on, I'll go a head and remove all of the old system and replace it with just one cat.

Thanks for the help guys! Have a great day...

 

[blue dog]

There is also a fuel/air mixture ratio sensor thing in the downpipe. not sure if that can throw a cel or not if it is bad.

 

[Deguello]

There is also a fuel/air mixture ratio sensor thing in the downpipe. not sure if that can throw a cel or not if it is bad.

Yes. The Fuel/Air Sensor located upstream of the cat(s) will most definitely throw a CEL code if it fails or it detects abnormal exhaust values. Most of the time, the sensors pre-heat function fails which will throw a CEL code.

 

[Rokynutz]

Delete list

So...I live in a DEQ free county with a 96' 3.4 Cali edition (yes it has the Cali emissions sticker). I want a full comprehensive list EVERY item I need to delete to make it as unrestricted as possible. Prolly a ECU is included in this to, I don't care.

 

[jgue467]

So start by removing all the exhaust till ya' got staight pipes! :cowboy:

 

[gamefreakgc]

So...I live in a DEQ free county with a 96' 3.4 Cali edition (yes it has the Cali emissions sticker). I want a full comprehensive list EVERY item I need to delete to make it as unrestricted as possible. Prolly a ECU is included in this to, I don't care.

It just has two cats. It's unclear if the front O2 sensor works differently than the federal kind.

If you're chasing performance, keep looking. It won't make much of a difference other than sound.

 

[TheDurk]

It just has two cats. It's unclear if the front O2 sensor works differently than the federal kind.

If you're chasing performance, keep looking. It won't make much of a difference other than sound.

Not in '96 it didn't. AFAIK, in '96 Cal. and Fed exhaust emissions were the same. The sticker just says it meets both specs.