HELP Please!

[intimidtr3]

My wife stopped and got gas this morning and drove down the road a mile and lost power.The truck is a 98 1/2 ton 4x4 with 360 auto.She got it home but it has no power/It will start and idle but I think the exhaust is weak.It does have some coming out but I don't think it is enough.When you try to rev engine up it bogs down and won't rev up and acts like it is going to die.I hope someone knows because this is our only transportation for the holidays.Thanks in advance.

[fredjacksonsan]

You say this happened right after getting gas? I'd try some Heet or Drigas in the tank first.

[fredjacksonsan]

Of course it could also be the catalytic converter, but that doesn't come on so suddenly to my knowledge.

[intimidtr3]

She said that she thought something has been smelling funny and power has been lacking lately.Also,you can hear something rattling under the truck.If it is the converter what is the easiest way to get rid of it.

[BamaDodgenMX]

Sounds like definitely the cat. Easiest way? get it cut out or cut it out yourself and replace it with a section of exast pipe. And then just drill a hole and insert the O2 sensor.

[LTJGWorth]

Yea, if it's a rattle then it's most likely the cat converter. When reading you description, I also thought of the fuel pump. That could be a possibility too. The best way to get rid of the cat is probably to take if off, cut out a good-sized square from the side, remove all the insides and weld a straight pipe inside and put it all back together. That way, you still have a cat, and you won't get fined during inspection time (if you have them).

[BleedDodge]

Cat.

[intimidtr3]

I know this sounds stupid but what causes the converter to go bad.I would hate to spend $400 and have it burn up again.

[mr fix it]

The cat will plug without any prior warning, I know, it happened to me. The problem with cutting the cat out and replacing it with a straight piece of pipe is they have 2 o2 sensors, and you can't eliminate them or the computer will not let it run. That was an option I was exploring, but found out it can't be done (at least not on a 96). The cat seems to be a common trouble spot with these. If it idles ok but won't rev above 1800-2000 rpm, it's more than likely the cat. But get it proffesionally checked first because they are not cheap.

[BleedDodge]

Usually when these things go, it's caused by either too much fuel or oil in the exhaust, which could be caused from running too rich, or by bad gaskets somewhere.

Cats will go bad at high mileage, but if it happens when the truck isn't even broken in like what happened to me, then there is something wrong with something else. You should have the truck looked at and repaired before putting another cat on because the new cat will only suffer the same fate as the last one until the problem is addressed.

Usually, at least around here, you can have them replaced free at the dealer up to a certain point. Your truck is a 98, but it would be worth a try to get someone else to pay for it, then you wouldn't have to.

[intimidtr3]

It has around 145,000 miles on it .

[BleedDodge]

Replace it, it has done well. That's about the normal life span of these things. If it made it this far and has only plugged up now, then you can be sure that it is only the cat itself that has gone bad.

[LTJGWorth]

Wow Bleed... is that a new pic?

[BamaDodgenMX]

You don't have to eliminate the O2 sensors if you replace the cat with a straight pipe, just stick 'em in a hole ya drill into the side of the pipe.

[scoutinkeith]

that's true, you "can" just stick the o2 sensor back into a straight pipe. however, doing that may cause more problems than it's worth. there are 2 o2 sensors(one before and one after the cat) the reason for this is to make sure that the cat is working properly. if the cat isn't there, the second sensor will read to rich, which could cause several things to happen. the computer will either throw a code and go into "limp" mode, or it will lean the fuel mixture which could also cause problems. if you do decide to either gut or eliminate the cat, it's a good idea to get an o2 simulator to put in place of the second sensor to eliminate any chance of problems.