Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums General Troubleshooting o2 and cats

just got the call from ford dealer ...he is saying that all 4 of the o2 sensors are out and that the 3 cats are shot aswell...i can understand the 02's being out at 105k but the cats being clogged? here are specs of car and small history of this prob.
-105000 miles
-cel on and off for 6 months, on for a couple days then off for week or 2.
-cel back on solid for 6-8 weeks, but then went off last week for a couple of days.
-rough idle (new plugs and 9mm wires 4 weeks old)

any thoughts???

james

Pick up car and estimate, go home, bawl your eyes out, get drunk and have a great weekend.
Sunday read all the crazy posts on CEG problem forum as a result of your post. Start seach at web page for used engine.

Think about replacing the upper O2 sensors only 'cause they are inputs to engine management system.

Highly unlikely that all of this has failed. I would take the car to another shop for a second opinion.

With 105K miles, you could have 3 dead cats, but a second opinion would be best before you start buying parts & labor. As mentioned, replace the upper sensors and don't worrry about the lower ones for now. The pre-cats can be gutted if they are really clogged to save $1000 or so. You can get an aftermarket high-flow main cat on the web for under $100 or get a replacement at a muffler shop for about $200 or so. Get some mil eliminators for the second O2 sensors.

could this be a good car to recieve the good ole mystery mod?

That was what I was going to say... If the pre cats are clogged, gut them. Cut out the main cat and leave it out, or if you have inspections get a high flow cat from any of the contour performance stores. You should only replace the 2 O2 sensors that are before the pre cats, as they help control mixture. I am not sure if 98's have 2 O2 sensors after the pre cats, but either way, put some eliminators on them and you will be fine! Total costs: 2x O2 sensors - $130
High Flow Cat - $100
Gutting pre cat - $10
Total cost of about $250 to have not only a fixed car, but a better performing one! There are alot of threads started by me about gutting the pre-cats that have alot of good information about the emmissions systems, search about gutting the precats and you will find alot of info on this... -Nick