Help with 1997 Ford Explorer

[elksnout]

Check engine light came on for wifes Explorer. After checking for anything obvious, I took it down to the local parts house where we plugged in their engine analyzer which showed a code saying the cat converter was plugged. Seems odd to just happen? When driving I can feel tiny surges like a fish nibbling on the end of your line. My truck did that once w/o the engine light coming on and had the same type of surging. Someone suggested replacing the co2 sensor which I did and fixed the problem. I'm wondering if I might have the same thing going on here as this just semed to happen overnight. Any ideas?

[Boss .300 winmag]

Go to your local Dodge dealer and trade it in on a Durango, easy fix. 

[bloodhound]

i had a cat go out in one day, all it takes is a little build up in and it will get to hot in that spot and melt. my car died and when i pulled over the cat was glowing red. so it very well could be the cat. seems to me if the o2 sensor was bad it would throw an o2 sensor code not a cat code. seems to me that the sensor is working and saying the cat is no longer removing the unburned fuel that its supposed to remove. 

[FC]

If the code was for cat efficiency it is bad, how many miles and how long was the light actually on before it started to run badly?

[ANDERWAGON]

If you have a welder, drill two small pilot holes. One in front and one behind the cat then test the back pressure. Shouldn’t be more than a couple pounds. You can buy a gauge at most any part store for around 10-20 dollars.

[elksnout]

Thanks for the input. The check engine light came on approx. the same time it started running rough. I'll take it down to the muffler shop this coming week and have it replaced. Guy @ the parts store said to have the muffler shop test it too before they take it out. I don't feel bad for putting a little money into the old girl. Still many miles left in her and  still looks good. Way cheaper than car payments.

[400out]

Go to your local Dodge dealer and trade it in on a Durango, easy fix. 

I would rather have a broke down vehicle on all 4 wheels than a running one on 3 

[Boss .300 winmag]

They don't sell three wheelers any more.

[elksnout]

Update. While visiting with the owner of Classic Muffler in Camas to set up an appointment he gave me a thing or two to check out before bringing in the Explorer. Get a can of cleaner and go home and service the MAF sensor. When I pulled it apart I could see what he meant. Pretty dirty. And change out the fuel filter. I did both and the probelm went away. I keep the MAF serviced on my Tacoma but it didn't dawn on me to look at the Explorer. Dummy.... 3 weeks now and no check engine light and it runs smooth.

[summit creek]

Update. While visiting with the owner of Classic Muffler in Camas to set up an appointment he gave me a thing or two to check out before bringing in the Explorer. Get a can of cleaner and go home and service the MAF sensor. When I pulled it apart I could see what he meant. Pretty dirty. And change out the fuel filter. I did both and the probelm went away. I keep the MAF serviced on my Tacoma but it didn't dawn on me to look at the Explorer. Dummy.... 3 weeks now and no check engine light and it runs smooth.

whats the maf sensor my 97 explorer is doing the exact same thing to the t

[rtspring]

Mass Air Flow Sensor,

It is round and goes into the intake from the air filter. Has wires going to it. It measures air going into the throttle body. THey get dirty and should be blown out from time to time, if not they go out...

RTSPRING

[elksnout]

Still ticking!

[coachcw]

max catylitic back preasure is 1/2 lbs. you could have some crap on the air flow meter . check the basics like fuel filter and vaccum leaks on the engine . Typically you will have lean bank one and bank two codes if your airflow meter has an issue.