1999 RAM 1500 van dies while driving
#21
08-23-2019, 08:38 AM
Yep, removing the front O2 sensor as a diagnosis is correct in your situation. The result that you have of running perfect means you cat IS bad.
You can use any cat you want to. Any independent muffler shop can put any cat on for about 50-100 bucks. You just need to find a shop that is willing to work with you.
When I had my V6, I had a shot cat too one day. I bought a generic 3.8 GM V6 cat which was about $85 and had a indy shop put it on for $80 bucks.
Welding isnt that hard, but you will need to figure out what kind you want to do and then either rent the welder of buy one...for that price, you might as well just find a shop that will help you. You can also take out the exhaust system, take it to them and have them do the job. In some states it is illegal to put on another brand or style of cat, but if you bring just the exhaust, they can do the job legally. It all depends on the state and area.
I had one like the one below in the link...it worked fine...cheers!
https://www.amazon.com/Universal-Cat...ateway&sr=8-17
You can use any cat you want to. Any independent muffler shop can put any cat on for about 50-100 bucks. You just need to find a shop that is willing to work with you.
When I had my V6, I had a shot cat too one day. I bought a generic 3.8 GM V6 cat which was about $85 and had a indy shop put it on for $80 bucks.
Welding isnt that hard, but you will need to figure out what kind you want to do and then either rent the welder of buy one...for that price, you might as well just find a shop that will help you. You can also take out the exhaust system, take it to them and have them do the job. In some states it is illegal to put on another brand or style of cat, but if you bring just the exhaust, they can do the job legally. It all depends on the state and area.
I had one like the one below in the link...it worked fine...cheers!
https://www.amazon.com/Universal-Cat...ateway&sr=8-17
Thanks for all the responses so far!
#22
08-23-2019, 08:56 AM
Champion
Once you get your exhaust on, take a vacuum reading with the gauge. If it's pulling about 17 inches of mercury and the needle is steady, you have good healthy engine.
#23
08-25-2019, 08:34 AM
did you disconnect the battery for a few minutes after to clear the learned parameters?
#24
08-25-2019, 11:39 AM
#25
08-26-2019, 02:13 PM
#26
08-26-2019, 02:17 PM
#27
09-01-2019, 11:21 AM
Good news and bad news now (grr.)
New Cat is on, test drive seemed great, no more surging or backfiring, but we did have one stall, it just died coming up to a stop sign. It did start back up after about 1 minute. We did not yet have the muffler on.
We ran a scan tool, no codes, but on the live data test intake air temp is high, 158-168 degrees. One of the last sensors we replaced was an air intake temp.
Then we did a vacuum test, at idle it is showing in the red just under the green, maybe about 15, the gauge says late timing there.
So two issues, intake air temp and late timing, where do we go now?
New Cat is on, test drive seemed great, no more surging or backfiring, but we did have one stall, it just died coming up to a stop sign. It did start back up after about 1 minute. We did not yet have the muffler on.
We ran a scan tool, no codes, but on the live data test intake air temp is high, 158-168 degrees. One of the last sensors we replaced was an air intake temp.
Then we did a vacuum test, at idle it is showing in the red just under the green, maybe about 15, the gauge says late timing there.
So two issues, intake air temp and late timing, where do we go now?
#28
09-01-2019, 12:30 PM
Champion
Good news and bad news now (grr.)
New Cat is on, test drive seemed great, no more surging or backfiring, but we did have one stall, it just died coming up to a stop sign. It did start back up after about 1 minute. We did not yet have the muffler on.
We ran a scan tool, no codes, but on the live data test intake air temp is high, 158-168 degrees. One of the last sensors we replaced was an air intake temp.
Then we did a vacuum test, at idle it is showing in the red just under the green, maybe about 15, the gauge says late timing there.
So two issues, intake air temp and late timing, where do we go now?
New Cat is on, test drive seemed great, no more surging or backfiring, but we did have one stall, it just died coming up to a stop sign. It did start back up after about 1 minute. We did not yet have the muffler on.
We ran a scan tool, no codes, but on the live data test intake air temp is high, 158-168 degrees. One of the last sensors we replaced was an air intake temp.
Then we did a vacuum test, at idle it is showing in the red just under the green, maybe about 15, the gauge says late timing there.
So two issues, intake air temp and late timing, where do we go now?
How many miles on the engine. Your timing chain may be worn and it's off a bit. Does the heat seem cool and the engine doesn't warm all the way up? It sounds like you used a mile-o-meter for a vacuum gauge. Granted, that's what it is, but I use a regular gauge. This one is a good 25-30 years old but it will read the innards easily. Plus it responds fast.
The above chart is a scan from my 1936 copy of Troubleshooters Handbook. (NO! I din't buy it new.) It may be over 80 years old but engines still oerate on the same principles.
#29
09-01-2019, 01:13 PM
#30
09-02-2019, 09:09 AM