Cat converters, O2 sensors, and timing, OH MY!

[Dyabolical]

So my '97 has about 215k. Check engine light is still on. Have had it checked and most of the codes point to emissions being off and stuff like that. Most have suggested that the cats are plugged and the O2 sensors are bad.

 

So my question:

 

Can i just cut the cats out and pull the exhaust back as a temporary fix until i can come up with a couple hundred to fix the whole exhaust? My truck is sluggish, VERY sluggish....i can't even powerstall to get the tires schreeching. Also, when i am cruising down the highway and i go to pass osmeone, the truck will downshift and actually slow down. It will stay revved up until i let off the gas then it will shift back to where it was and i will be going slower then when i started.

 

It is driving me nuts! Really annoying when i get on an entrance ramp and have to plan things out so i can be up to speed when i hit the main traffic.

 

I am at my wits here. Really wish i had the cash to fix it but right now i am super broke due to buying baby stuff and other junk that was needed.

 

Also, the other codes are one of my cylinders misfiring...not sure which one it is. I have replaced the spark plugs, rotor, cap, and plug wires without any help. Could it be my timing? If so, what can i do to fix it?

[Wingnut]

Does it rattle and knock like a mofo when your foot's on the floor?

[Dyabolical]

Does it rattle and knock like a mofo when your foot's on the floor?

 

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No, when the engine is revving or accelerating it runs smooth. That is what confuses me.

[TEE]

Doubt it's timing...pull the EGR and take a look at it. It may be carboned up?

[Dyabolical]

Doubt it's timing...pull the EGR and take a look at it. It may be carboned up?

 

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What is the EGR and how can i find it? I am not a seasoned mechanic...just a 22 year old trying to learn his way around.

 

Edit: Google is my friend.

[Dyabolical]

Also recently it has started to run really really rough when i first start it. But smooths out just fine after i have driven it a few miles. I am thinking for sure one of the O2 sensors are bad.

[Dyabolical]

Any recommendations for quality O2 sensors?

[Dyabolical]

Anybody?

[Matt99Z71]

I can almost guarantee its the cats or cat. Its plugged up. If you can, measure the length of the cat, have a piece of pipe cut and both ends flared, and cut the cat out and put the piece of pipe in. My 95 G30 work van did this twice, once either the coil was bad or fuel filter was clogged, second time it was a clogged cat. I did the above and it felt like i gained 50 horsepower. So funny, its sounds just like me when my van was doing that. Had the fuel pump changed, helped a tiny bit not much. I could barely drive the truck. Finnaly decided maybe it was the cat. Solved it for $20 bucks.

[Dyabolical]

I can almost guarantee its the cats or cat.  Its plugged up.  If you can, measure the length of the cat, have a piece of pipe cut and both ends flared, and cut the cat out and put the piece of pipe in.  My 95 G30 work van did this twice, once either the coil was bad or fuel filter was clogged, second time it was a clogged cat.  I did the above and it felt like i gained 50 horsepower.  So funny, its sounds just like me when my van was doing that.  Had the fuel pump changed, helped a tiny bit not much.  I could barely drive the truck.  Finnaly decided maybe it was the cat.  Solved it for $20 bucks.

 

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Thanks, might have to try this. But i still need advice on the O2 sensors. As far as i can tell, they are the original factory sensors.

[C & A s Dad]

On the 0'2s. You really have only 2 choices IMO. Bosch and NTK by NGK are the major Original equip suppliers. At CARQUEST, Bosch is our supplier because they are OE on so many vehicles and they are excatly like OE in From, Fit and Function. No cutting and splicing of wires to worry about. Also, every sensor they make is "burned in" meaning it has been tested. In fact, when you take them out of the box, you may think they have been used. This is not the case, this burning you see is part of their testing.

[Matt99Z71]

I "think" not sure, but even when the 02 sensors go bad, the truck still runs okay, just not at its optimum performance and gas mileage. It'd be in open loop or just like it, i think don't quote me. This is just what i've kinda assumed after changing them over the years. Never seems to make much of a difference, just slightly better gas mileage. Thanks for that info though C&As dad, because i've been told several times to replace the 02 sensors with GM parts only. And theres like 4 of em on my truck which would very expensive to change. But the truck has like 112k on it and I think it'd be best to change them.