California Catalytic Converter help
 

Hi Everyone,

My 1997 XJ is failing the smog test. Way too high NoX. Yes, I've searched the threads, but just keep coming up with fixes and that you need an O2 sensor and Cat. I've replaced the upstream O2 sensor as my mechanic said it was switching too slow. I did my free retest and FAIL...same emissions.

Next up: Catalytic converter it seems. Here's my question:

Is there a direct bolt-on converter for sale that isn't 40 million dollars?

Must be California OBD-II legal and CARB legal or what not. Can you provide a link of where you bought yours? I don't have welding skills so these universal magnaflow ones that need to be welded on don't seem feasible to me unless I pay someone else to do it.

THoughts? Advice? Links and prices? THANKS!!

Might be stupid advice but, have the guys run your jeep in 2nd gear. The same thing happened with my 89 XJ. I took it to some smog guy and he ran it in 1st at 2700 RPMs which made the vehicle blow out a high amount of toxic emissions. I then took it to my mechanic in a great deal of frustration. He ran the jeep in 2nd gear and it passed blowing extremely clean. ( I watched him do it, he didn't cheat the test by any means) To have a Jeep pass the CA smog standards, it seems as though there's a certain way to feyness the vehicle to pass.

Good luck!

Another 'trick' is to put is to put higher octane gas in the tank. Sorry you live in CA :( .

you could do this it will help. but just go to a muffler shop and they should have a good cat possibly high flow for about 100 or so might be slightly higher but. or find a junk yard with a newer xj to scavenge from

ok, would Midas have a decently priced cat? I was thinking of heading to one of those. Do they charge a lot to install or do you recommend I take it home?

you would have to see i am not sure. but i do not think it would be to much. and are you sure that is your issue.

nope, not fully sure. Maybe I should drop it off at a shop for the weekend (i'm going out of town) and have them fix it and smog it at the same time...sigh - I just don't want them using a $600 cat

have you done a tune up on it latley. that could help and there is some additives that can help you pass. have you tried doing the seafoam trick latley it helps burn off deposits and should help it run a little better :cheers:

not yet...looks like a shopping trip to Kragen is in order this weekend. Should I do a tune-up and such and not replace the cat yet, or should I just do it all at the same time (it really does need a tune-up anyways). I just don't want to spend the money on another smog test (unless I get another free re-test again).

A tune up and seafoam got me through inspection. I hope you get through by just doing those 2...Tj
P.S. Sorry u live in Ca...

simple solution: Move out of Kommiefornia! but other than that, I would try seafoam and a tuneup before you go spending money on a new cat, they are about $400 for a decent one around here. But we dont have to go through this crap in Michigan, we drive them till they die.

Just to let you know, I have a stock 96 and it is not a flanged bolt on Cat. It will disconnect from the muffler but it's welded to the front "s" pipe.

Yes a tune-up and oil change and air filter, is in order, also do a seafoam treatment, before the tune-up. In fact, at least an inspection of the ignition an Oil change and Air fiter change prior to a smog check.
You will probably still need a Cat. I would go to the Hole in the wall muffler shops in you area, the name brand guys are more expensive. You might also need the down stream O2 sensor, if cat is bad.

I love not having to have inspections, looks like I may have to move back to North Crapolina though :( .

First off, you can't get a used cat in CA. The yards cut them off and recycle them first thing. You can get a good high flow cat from Summit Racing. I have one and mine passed with flying colors. The price is less than $100. They do wear out over time just like any other thing on the Jeep. 91 octane gas also works to help your emissions. Change your lil, make sure you have driven a good long time, at least 20 miles before you take it in and run some Sea foam through it a couple of tanks before going in.Those are trick the mechanics all use to get a high milage vehicle to pass.