Do I run a risk of long term damage doing this? I do not have the funds to purchase the plenum plate for awhile, but my truck runs better without the pre cat o2 sensor. Just curious if it runs better with it out is it okay to leave it out for a month or two?

 

It'll default to rich for awhile, which is hard on the cat. I wouldn't drive a ton, but should get you to work until you can fix it.

 

no risk.
with lack of O2 feedback, the engine will run at the default settings and stay in open loop mode. this might cost you 1 or 2 mpg, and the CEL will stay on, but it won't hurt anything.

is your O2 installed in the pipe with the electrical plug disconnected, or is it completely out of the pipe and the hole is open?

 

I unscrewed it from the hole and it is still attached to the connector. I zip tied it away from the exhaust. I suppose I could try and gut my cat without removing it, just cant afford to fix everything right now

 

Reinstall it and just leave it unplugged. Or else it'll sound like a tractor.

 

i think he's got it open to compensate for a clogged cat.

 

Yes I am wanting to compensate for the clogged cat. I live in a very isolated small town don't care much about noise. I have to dual into the cat so it's not as easy as a single just need to make up my mind. But leaving it out for a few weeks poses no long term threat?

 

you truck might start running like crap. if it does it is probably because of the o2 sensor.

 

I know the feeling, as the PO of my Ram decided it was best to cut the cat out and weld straight pipe in its place. Sure, it flows fine and I'm thinking about the non-fouler fix, but of course I've heard arguments about how having a cat is better for exhaust scavenging and of course the atmosphere. I guess one has to do what one must. Strangely enough though (even though it's inevitable my plenum will leak), I've not had any oil consumption, which makes me a betting man at thinking the PO band-aided it with a gasket only........

 

it won't hurt it.