Warning note - Crown Vic plugged catalysts

[rtry9a]

My son has a dedicated Crown Vic that has been running rough, running hot, losing power- he recently went through the normal stuff, including cleaning the filter, replaced plugs and coil packs, etc, but still less power than he should have had following a good tuneup. He had a bad coil pack and a bad thermostat, not too bad I think after after 70k miles on the clock.

Here is the interesting part: the engine miss, and the resulting fuel-rich exhaust, had cooked his cats and plugged all four of them up, which caused the power deficit. We took it to Rays (in Bountiful) who fixed them beautifully by boring out the front two and replaced the rear ones. He did a flow check- they were indeed clogged.

Rays mentioned that they have seen a number of cng cars with similiar problems recently.

[CNGfamily]

Re: Warning note

... We took it to Rays (in Bountiful) who fixed them beautifully by boring out the front two ...

Probably still comes out the tailpipe fine with just the back cats (no harm, no foul), but that fix wouldn't pass emissions "configuration," at least in AZ

[John Mitton]

Re: Warning note - Crown Vic plugged catalysts

Updated the title and now moving to Ford forum...

[rtry9a]

Re: Warning note

Probably still comes out the tailpipe fine with just the back cats (no harm, no foul), but that fix wouldn't pass emissions "configuration," at least in AZ

I'll bet it would pass anywhere as long as the engine passes emissions, since the front cats still appear as they always have- the inspectors would have to remove and dissect the cats to be any the wiser. Remember, those cats cost $200+ each- why buy more than are needed to do the intended job?

Frankly, with clean burning dedicated cng, I'd be very tempted to remove the cats and replace with an off road H-pipe; Id bet it would still pass the emissions tests. I probably wouldn't do it with a bi-fuel that might see some gasoline use from time to time.

[jetboatjohnny]

Re: Warning note - Crown Vic plugged catalysts

I used to work (20 years ago) in a shop, and I saw the same thing happen on a Mercedes SL V8. He blew the head gaskets, and I was amazed at the beautiful design of the engine, nothing like an American V8. As far as removing cats, here in CA you would not pass the visual inspection.

[Tax Counsel]

Re: Warning note - Crown Vic plugged catalysts

Reminds me of a certain Triumph Spitfire. Good thing it was only a VISUAL inspection.

[CNGLO]

Re: Warning note - Crown Vic plugged catalysts

Reminds me of a certain Triumph Spitfire. Good thing it was only a VISUAL inspection.

Don't worry. I'm certain the statute of limitations has run by now.

[larrycng]

Re: Warning note - Crown Vic plugged catalysts

Well the Crown Vic is in violation of federal emissions regulations -- it tampering or modification (the bored out CATs). I hope the "mechanic" repaired the source of the rich mixture - was it checked with a 5 gas analyzer. The vehicle should be repaired as it left the factory both in terms of properly operating components and tail pipe emissions.

larrycng

[rtry9a]

Re: Warning note - Crown Vic plugged catalysts

Well the Crown Vic is in violation of federal emissions regulations -- it tampering or modification (the bored out CATs). I hope the "mechanic" repaired the source of the rich mixture - was it checked with a 5 gas analyzer. The vehicle should be repaired as it left the factory both in terms of properly operating components and tail pipe emissions.

larrycng

Like anyone cares... EPA is Spinning wheels

The car will easily pass emissions without cats- no need for them with cng- my guess is that they were included by ford for economic purposes (same parts as gasoline cars, computability with programming and sensors.