Hello to all,
I've been restoring my 240 wagon and have gotten her to pass all the safety requirements, but not the emissions. Her numbers are : HC 0.91 gpm; CO 10.29 gpm; and NOx 7.85 The Limits are: HC 0.80; CO 15.00; NOx 2.00
I'm assuming that I need to replace both the Catalytic converter and the Oxygen sensor. I believe I can do this myself but I think I need a slight boost of reassurance. Has anyone done this job? I have a set of ramps and have been under there to check it out. The Haynes manual is not very helpful with this procedure, but it looks like there is no welding involved as long as I purchase the correct CAT with the tail pipe attached. I think I've located the Oxygen sensor;sticking out of the CAT itself, or just slightly to the rear. Should I replace both or can I try to save the old oxygen sensor and start by replacing the CAT only? The bolts look pretty rusted and may need some persuasion to come apart. Should I expect to use the same bolts or just get a new set? I assume that a new gasket will be needed as well.Any hints on where to buy these parts? I've seen some advertised on e-bay and other websites, but I can't seem to find the exact specs.for the '89 Cat., i.e, 2" or 2 1/8 " outlet? I don't want to end up ordering the wrong size. Also, some of what I see for sale is the Cat. without the pipe attached, and I do not have welding capability.This car has been out of commission since June of '01. She was parked in her driveway in the middle of the night when a drunk driver in a large SUV, lost control of his vehicle and plowed into a cinder block wall, sending the blocks flying through the air at 70mph, right into my old 240 wagon.Technically she was totaled, but other than cosmetics, glass and a rear lens, she still ran well. Up to that point she had not been in an accident, Anyway, it took over 3 years to get all the legal stuff figured out, and she just sat dormant with old gas in her belly . I got her started and ran the tank just about to the end, and added a can of something that a reputable mechanic suggested, then I filled her up with premium and have not run that tank out yet.The reason I mention all that is that she passed emissions back in '01 just before she sat for 3 years. HC was 90, and CO was 0.83 . Have the standards changed all that much in the meantime? Do I really need to change the CAT and Ox sensor, or could that old gas and leftover crud in there be the culprit? I would hate to go to all the trouble to do all the work (and expense), only to have her fail emissions again with new parts. Any expert advice would be greatly appreciated and taken to heart.
Many, many thanks,
Mark