Welp, it's that time of the year to try and get my 5.2l to pass colorado emissions, barely passed 2 years ago after failing NOX the first time. Passed everything my first time this morning except a higher NOX level, thought i didn't warm it up enough (as that was the problem 2 years ago), so drove it around for a couple hours and brought her back. Failed NOX even worse than before plus it failed CO, it was close on the CO the first time but still passed.
I'm hoping i don't have to replace the CAT as the last time I got a quote for one it was almost 500 bucks cuz they would have to replace one of the o2 sensors cuz it was froze up. Any ideas?

 

When I had Meineke install my Magnaflow catalytic converter and Flowmaster Super 44 muffler, they charged me $400 and some odd dollars for everything, parts and labor.

You aren't taking it to the $tealership for a converter are you?

The front O2 sensor can be changed yourself if you can turn a wrench. All you need is an O2 sensor socket from an auto parts store, a new O2 sensor (recommend getting it from Rock Auto, best prices, and also recommend getting a NGK/NTK or Denso branded unit, best brands for O2 sensors), and a socket wrench. Might want to grab some PB Blaster as well, or Knock'R'Loose, as the O2 sensor may be rusted in their really tight.

 

hell no to the dealership, the best deal i found around town was something like 350 for the cat, but when i took it in the rear O2 sensor was "frozen" on there (per the mechanic), and said he would have to replace it along with the cat simply because he couldn't get it off without breaking it. I may just try and register it in a different county where my grandmother lives and they don't require emissions, i could use the extra 400-500 bucks right now, but if need be, I guess i'll jsut fork out the money.

 

What model year/trim level/4x4 or 4x2/etc. is your Ram? Do you have a Check Engine Light on (CEL)?

You could buy the parts yourself, and just have the mechanic do the labor. Save you some money there possibly.

 

98, 4x4, 137xxxmiles, no check engine light. I might be able to find the parts cheaper elsewhere. I just want to make sure its actually the CAT before i go through all that.

 

http://www.smogtips.com/failed-emissions-test.cfm

 

When they used to do emmissions tests here we would just dump about 4 bottles isoheat in the tank when its a 1/4 full and pull a vacuum line it would run like **** but pass.