Just for anyone's information and interest... Replacing catalytic converters on a 2004 F150 5.4L is a pain in the tail.
At least it doesn't act like it's being strangled any more.
And yes I went with EPA approved replacements, although I didn't go OEM. They cost about double what Magnaflow stainless steel high flow cats cost, so I upgraded and saved a ton of money... Or considering the payload rating of this truck, a half ton of money...
I did manage to actually use a wood related tool on the project, my Ryobi reciprocating saw. I had to replace both sides and the crossover pipe, which is technically part of the the catalytic converter assembly, was rusted together with no hope of ever coming apart, so I had to saw the dumb thing in half just to get it out from under the truck.
The new cats are on, the truck actually runs good now, although I can tell I don't have the nuts on the drivers side manifold collector quite run in all the way as I have an exhaust leak now. Minor one, but enough to annoy the snot out of me and likely fail me on an emissions test. I need to crawl back up under there (ugh!) and snug those 2 nuts down with my impact... Not an easy task as the upper cat gets in the way...
I still have a CEL that is related, but I expected that. I am having a cam timing problem. Most likely have a professional shop tackle this for me as I don't have the time to futz with this too much...
My lumberwagon is getting old, and needing repairs. Not happy about that, but to cure my annoyance at that I go and look at price tags on a new F150 XLT 4x4 Super Cab and smile about the comparative pittance I pay for parts and repairs...
I remember when $2,500.00 would buy a guy a VERY nice used sports car. (I had a Toyota Celica GT Liftback in college that I paid $2,500.00 for with 35K miles on the odometer). Long gone are those days. Seems like that is what a reasonably minor ish engine repair is going for these days...
I really ought to get a horse.
At least it doesn't act like it's being strangled any more.
And yes I went with EPA approved replacements, although I didn't go OEM. They cost about double what Magnaflow stainless steel high flow cats cost, so I upgraded and saved a ton of money... Or considering the payload rating of this truck, a half ton of money...
I did manage to actually use a wood related tool on the project, my Ryobi reciprocating saw. I had to replace both sides and the crossover pipe, which is technically part of the the catalytic converter assembly, was rusted together with no hope of ever coming apart, so I had to saw the dumb thing in half just to get it out from under the truck.
The new cats are on, the truck actually runs good now, although I can tell I don't have the nuts on the drivers side manifold collector quite run in all the way as I have an exhaust leak now. Minor one, but enough to annoy the snot out of me and likely fail me on an emissions test. I need to crawl back up under there (ugh!) and snug those 2 nuts down with my impact... Not an easy task as the upper cat gets in the way...
I still have a CEL that is related, but I expected that. I am having a cam timing problem. Most likely have a professional shop tackle this for me as I don't have the time to futz with this too much...
My lumberwagon is getting old, and needing repairs. Not happy about that, but to cure my annoyance at that I go and look at price tags on a new F150 XLT 4x4 Super Cab and smile about the comparative pittance I pay for parts and repairs...
I remember when $2,500.00 would buy a guy a VERY nice used sports car. (I had a Toyota Celica GT Liftback in college that I paid $2,500.00 for with 35K miles on the odometer). Long gone are those days. Seems like that is what a reasonably minor ish engine repair is going for these days...
I really ought to get a horse.
Comment