Fix your Catalytic Converter for $10?

I always pull my engine out to check the oil level

Tried it and last Saturday (8/6/2023) my Smog PASSED!! Thank you!

This trick has been well known. This is really only possible for downstream cats, not for air/fuel (upstream) sensors. This will many times help keep the code from coming back, but if the cat is actually clogged, it won't help with engine performance and other problems that come with a clogged cat.

Thank you to everyone for the support! To clarify a few things: I am a fan of clean air. I do NOT advocate removing the cat. Performance increase is reportedly in the neighborhood of 1HP. My working thesis is suggesting to (not!) do this on an old car where replacing the cats cost more than the car is worth. This will not work in states that do a visual inspection. Texas does not do a visual inspection. This will not work in states/counties that use a tailpipe probe. I'm surprised that is still done. No, this does not fix the cat. The cat is still bad and could get worse and affect the engine. But it did turn off the CEL. It doesn't always work, but in my estimation, it usually does. I have an idea on how to save the cat. Will post that in a few weeks.

Freaking hilarious and incredibly helpful if you can "read between the lines"! Thank you for showing me with great detail what NOT to do! I "didn't" do what you recommended me 'not" do and it resolved my problem..

Thanks for showing me what I shouldn't do to pass emissions next year. I'm such a tree hugger and so worried about government emissions, I won't do that. I'll pay thousands to keep the dealer in business and save the environment.

Thank you for this video, I'm glad I know how to avoid accidentally doing this now to drive my old car in California, really saved me from that blunder

I did the same on a 01 Honda accord. Drove it with the spark plug fouler for another 100k before I sold it. No code and passed every check 👍 Eff Ca!!

I literally just watched this out of curioslty. Keep up the videos! Very entertaining (and informative:). You'll do well at this.

I did that sensor spacer to my 2014 Mustang back in 2014 when I straight piped it. It worked perfectly.

This works great. I did this 10 years ago and used the 90 angle adapters with it on a 2004 Golf. My coil pack keep cracking causing misfires causing permanent damage to my CAT. After 2 coil packs , you need OEM by the way, and 2 CAT pipes I did this.

Spark plug non fouler trick is as old as dirt but it does work well. The key is not to offset the secondary O2 too much so you get " secondary O2 sensor too slow " it has to be in the flow but not see the whole flow. Thanks to all cat thefts occuring around that is the only reasonable repair mode for older and worn out vehicles. Edit: For anyone wondering - my daughter catalytic converter was stolen along both O2 sensors right in front of the college dorm. I had to rent the trailer and haul the vehicle 250 miles home. I purchased a replacement cat (not oem) and sensors - it lasted 10 months before CEL - cat efficiency code was lit again . Yes my daughter is still in the same dorm 250 miles from home . Should I spend $1000 for an OEM cat that will be stolen again? I'll set up "go fund me page" for the ones that think I should do so 😂 - and finally fix it right...

I did the same trick about 10 years ago. I found it on the Mitsubishi Lancer forums. Using a spark plug fowler did the trick!

The extender worked for me for about a month then P0420 code came back.The nearest repair shop told me there was no law against replacing the cat with a straight pipe here in my corner of rural Canada! cheers from here!

Hey I saw Scotty in ur video 👏🏼🙌🏼 thanks for making video by the way

I soldered a resister and capacitor near the plug that also fixed the problem and wouldn't be noticed on an inspection.

I swear I didn't follow your instructions and put this on my car. My car is not now passing inspection. And I am definitely not driving my car with this "fix". 😉🤭

Awesome, just awesome!! Thanks for sharing this and I won’t be doing this. I’m so glad you showed us what we shouldn’t ever do

I did this for a friend. On a Chevy pickup. Plenty of room. Had I known the there are O2 spacers, it would have saved me some time from drilling it out. Thanks for the info. Now my Cadillac has the the P420. It has less room, so I will look for the O2 spacer. This will save me about $1,200.00 + installation for just one. Catalytic converters are not sold in CA. Some stations don't do a thorough inspection. Thanks Mike.

For older Honda owners. If you have hesitation issues, have a look at the rubber intake boot just before the throttle body. If there is a rip or tear in the rubber, this will cause the Mass Air Flow sensor to get an incorrect air flow reading. This will cause varying degrees of engine performance issues. If there is a rip or tear, replace the boot. Chances are your performance issue will go away. Cost, about $20 CDN