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  #16  
Old 03-24-2011, 09:01 PM
00bamaranger 00bamaranger is offline
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Default Re: Have You Driven A Ford Lately? Bad cat?

Since nothing else seemed to have worked, try checking the coil packs. The terminals for the number 1 and 4 cylinders are connected somehow and the terminals for 2 and 3 are also connected. Just thinking because the exhaust temp for 2 and 3 are lower, maybe they are not getting a complete burn. Mine went out a couple of years ago and it was doing the same thing yours is and it wasnt firing right on 2 and 3. It can be checked with an ohm meter according to the specs in the haynes manual. I dont have mine with me but I can check tomorrow and tell you what the resistance should be. I know the Seafoam wouldn't have affected the coils at all but its worth a shot.
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  #17  
Old 03-24-2011, 09:43 PM
four2x4 four2x4 is offline
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Default Re: Have You Driven A Ford Lately? Bad cat?

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Originally Posted by S13minus1 View Post
honestly, i say unbolt the cat and see if she runs any better. do it during the day so you dont piss off (too many) neighbors
I thought I would drill a few holes in to it. Got nothing to lose really.
If it clears up , I know it needs to be replaced. If it doesn't, I can clamp or otherwise figure a way to seal it back up..
Thinking about drilling 4 or 5, 3/4" holes at the front of the cat.

Or, I might give in to take it for a diagnostic.

Given that it runs hotter at the "in" side, I have a feeling it's shot.
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  #18  
Old 03-24-2011, 10:16 PM
S13minus1 S13minus1 is offline
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Default Re: Have You Driven A Ford Lately? Bad cat?

just unbolt or cut it off. sealing it back up will be wayyyy easier than drilling holes. drilling holes is what old-school smog techs do (did) to check pre- and post-cat readings. if you need to cut it off, some pipe and some clamps will fit her right on.
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awe come on alex be a man!
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  #19  
Old 03-24-2011, 11:29 PM
four2x4 four2x4 is offline
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Default Re: Have You Driven A Ford Lately? Bad cat?

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Originally Posted by S13minus1 View Post
just unbolt or cut it off. sealing it back up will be wayyyy easier than drilling holes. drilling holes is what old-school smog techs do (did) to check pre- and post-cat readings. if you need to cut it off, some pipe and some clamps will fit her right on.
Perfect, thank you for the advice.. makes sense..

----------

One thing that has had me curious about the catalytic converter, is, I have a sensor at the exit of the cat. I've not thrown any codes, AND as prior stated, "it recently passed smog" here in CA.
So, that does have me concerned as to how good/bad the cat is..

Any ideas / input in that regard?
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  #20  
Old 03-25-2011, 12:35 AM
S13minus1 S13minus1 is offline
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Default Re: Have You Driven A Ford Lately? Bad cat?

the post-cat 02s is there to monitor efficiency. i thought about this earlier. the 2nd 02s cannot measure flow, just efficency, so if the cat is still somewhat efficient, just clogged, it will pass just fine.
also, current OBDII regulations do not require ALL monitors to have passed-- only most. so, if that monitor hasnt ran, the pcm wouldnt see anything wrong.
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  #21  
Old 03-25-2011, 07:05 AM
four2x4 four2x4 is offline
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Default Re: Have You Driven A Ford Lately? Bad cat?

Quote:
Originally Posted by S13minus1 View Post
the post-cat 02s is there to monitor efficiency. i thought about this earlier. the 2nd 02s cannot measure flow, just efficency, so if the cat is still somewhat efficient, just clogged, it will pass just fine.
also, current OBDII regulations do not require ALL monitors to have passed-- only most. so, if that monitor hasnt ran, the pcm wouldnt see anything wrong.
I will be looking to get it checked out between now and monday.
Work and other commitments make it tough to do much over the next few days..
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  #22  
Old 03-25-2011, 07:54 AM
four2x4 four2x4 is offline
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Default Re: Have You Driven A Ford Lately? Bad cat?

Quote:
Originally Posted by 00bamaranger View Post
Since nothing else seemed to have worked, try checking the coil packs. The terminals for the number 1 and 4 cylinders are connected somehow and the terminals for 2 and 3 are also connected. Just thinking because the exhaust temp for 2 and 3 are lower, maybe they are not getting a complete burn. Mine went out a couple of years ago and it was doing the same thing yours is and it wasnt firing right on 2 and 3. It can be checked with an ohm meter according to the specs in the haynes manual. I dont have mine with me but I can check tomorrow and tell you what the resistance should be. I know the Seafoam wouldn't have affected the coils at all but its worth a shot.
Just now saw this post. Sorry I didn't reply to it..
That'd be great. Plugs did look normal but I'm starting to worry if things might be more serious than just bolt on parts, hence real engine problems, valves, cracks, etc.
...that said, they seem to be firing okay. I pulled each wire off of the packs, and they all sparked even when holding the wire/boot 1.5 inches away!
----------

Quote:
Originally Posted by 00bamaranger View Post
Since nothing else seemed to have worked, try checking the coil packs. The terminals for the number 1 and 4 cylinders are connected somehow and the terminals for 2 and 3 are also connected. Just thinking because the exhaust temp for 2 and 3 are lower, maybe they are not getting a complete burn. Mine went out a couple of years ago and it was doing the same thing yours is and it wasnt firing right on 2 and 3. It can be checked with an ohm meter according to the specs in the haynes manual. I dont have mine with me but I can check tomorrow and tell you what the resistance should be. I know the Seafoam wouldn't have affected the coils at all but its worth a shot.
I'm gonna swap the existing coil packs front to back, and back to front, and see if anything changes..
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  #23  
Old 03-25-2011, 03:00 PM
four2x4 four2x4 is offline
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Default Re: Have You Driven A Ford Lately? Bad cat?

Swapped coil packs, and there was no difference in performance.
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  #24  
Old 03-25-2011, 05:46 PM
mickblock mickblock is offline
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Default Re: Have You Driven A Ford Lately? Bad cat?

Another consideration is that seafoam in a strong concentration is hard on certain materials like the diaphragm in a fuel pressure regulator. but 1/4 bottle in the gas tank is nothing.
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  #25  
Old 03-26-2011, 08:20 AM
four2x4 four2x4 is offline
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Default Re: Have You Driven A Ford Lately? Bad cat?

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Originally Posted by mickblock View Post
Another consideration is that seafoam in a strong concentration is hard on certain materials like the diaphragm in a fuel pressure regulator. but 1/4 bottle in the gas tank is nothing.
Although I didin't use a gauge, when pushing in on the fuel rail schrader valve, I had a very strong flow of fuel shooting out!

NEW: NEW SYMPTOM:
It threw a lean fuel "Bank 1' Code, and now it has noticeable missing at acceleration.

Still won't idle, and I've had to turn the idle adjustment screw UP, a LOT, to keep it running when coming to a stop. Even then, it still stalls about 30% of the time I stop.

Also, when driving, and while coming to a stop, the engine RPMs rise substantially, for a few seconds before settling down again.

----------

NEW SYMPTOM (for anyone who may have had similar problems with their engine)

Yesterday,
It threw a LEAN FUEL "Bank 1' Code, and now it has noticeable missing at acceleration, as I get past 25 MPH.

Still won't idle, and I've had to turn the idle adjustment screw UP, a LOT, to keep it running when coming to a stop. Even then, it still stalls about 30% of the time I stop.

Also, when driving, and while coming to a stop, the engine RPMs rise substantially, for a few seconds before settling down again.
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  #26  
Old 03-26-2011, 08:46 AM
pooleo pooleo is offline
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Default Re: Have You Driven A Ford Lately? Bad cat?

How abut the truck possibly being out of time? you said you changed the timing belt. This might explaing the varying temps of the 2,3 exhaust ports. 2 and 3 are the 2nd and 4th to fire. Altho all would be slightly out of time, it is possible for 2,3 to have the most pronounced affect. Its like on my old 352, unplug a few random wires from the plugs, and it would still run considerably good. Unplug a certain few and it would run like shit.
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  #27  
Old 03-26-2011, 09:44 AM
four2x4 four2x4 is offline
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Default Re: Have You Driven A Ford Lately? Bad cat?

Quote:
Originally Posted by pooleo View Post
How abut the truck possibly being out of time? you said you changed the timing belt. This might explaing the varying temps of the 2,3 exhaust ports. 2 and 3 are the 2nd and 4th to fire. Altho all would be slightly out of time, it is possible for 2,3 to have the most pronounced affect. Its like on my old 352, unplug a few random wires from the plugs, and it would still run considerably good. Unplug a certain few and it would run like shit.
I put a timing light on it, and it idles at 10BTDC. (when I can keep it running) That said, it does bounce around more than I think is right.. As the strobe flickers, it might bounce anywhere from 8-12 BTDC

Unless there is still a way that it could be out of time with that reading, I am hoping not!

thanks for your post!
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  #28  
Old 03-26-2011, 10:01 AM
pooleo pooleo is offline
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Default Re: Have You Driven A Ford Lately? Bad cat?

well the timing light is going to send the stobe from the #1 plug firing the the crank timing. So with that, the fireing of the plugs can be intime with the crank, but if the cam is out of time with the crank the valves will not be opening/closing at the proper time with the pistons coming up/down.

You should take out #1 plug, put your tumb over the hole and bump the motor until it pops. This will mean the the piston is at the top, and the valves have opened/closed properly (cam in time with crank) If it wont pop then the cam timing is off with the crank
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  #29  
Old 03-26-2011, 07:03 PM
mickblock mickblock is offline
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Default Re: Have You Driven A Ford Lately? Bad cat?

How long did you let the seafoam sit for? It can turn carbon into a gummy mess if it evaporates before the carbon is flushed out.
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  #30  
Old 03-27-2011, 02:48 PM
four2x4 four2x4 is offline
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Default Re: Have You Driven A Ford Lately? Bad cat?

Quote:
Originally Posted by mickblock View Post
How long did you let the seafoam sit for? It can turn carbon into a gummy mess if it evaporates before the carbon is flushed out.
15 minutes, and then drove it for 10 miles. At the time it exhibited the original symptoms of knocking at higher speeds at acceleration. After driving about 50 miles, all the trouble started in re this OP.

The whole thing is making me crazy. Tomorrow i bring it in for a cat diagnostic.

----------

Quote:
Originally Posted by pooleo View Post
well the timing light is going to send the stobe from the #1 plug firing the the crank timing. So with that, the fireing of the plugs can be intime with the crank, but if the cam is out of time with the crank the valves will not be opening/closing at the proper time with the pistons coming up/down.

You should take out #1 plug, put your tumb over the hole and bump the motor until it pops. This will mean the the piston is at the top, and the valves have opened/closed properly (cam in time with crank) If it wont pop then the cam timing is off with the crank
Thanks.. I can try this and report back..
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