S320 cat question

[amosfella]

My 95 S320 has been slowly loosing power, but hasn't been throwing codes or having the CEL come on. I"m wondering if my cats aren't plugging up. I was thinking about removing the exhaust to see if they are plugged. If they are plugged, I was thinking about simply cutting open the cats and removing the honeycomb. There's no emissions tests in my province, and I feel no love for the EPA types, etc.
My question is, if I remove the honeycomb, is there a consequence for any sensors in the exhaust stream?? Will I be getting codes thrown up on a constant basis?? If there is a sensor in the system that would be effected, is there a way to override it??
Does anyone have experience with a car of a similar age??
I have not looked under the car to see if there is a post cat sensor either... I might do that in the morning...
Thanks in advance...

[oldsinner111]

I cut my Toyota's off and sold it for $80. They are power robbing device's same for egr's. Would you want to breathe carbon monoxide,your engine does not want to.

[amosfella]

I know they're a power robing device, especially when they clog. But, I need to know if removing the honeycomb from the cat and welding it back shut will result in my have a continually lit CEL light...
If the CEL light is a reality, is there anything to do to override it... Checking the manual, it's inconclusive if there is a post cat oxy sensor, and I don't think I want to lay around in 4 inches of mud to find out...
Also, my fuel economy has been slowly declining as the power loss is happening. However, there is no discernible blow by when running the engine with the oil filler cap off, and no oil or coolant leaks I can find to indicate head gasket failure....

[oldsinner111]

I know Mercedes does some test with a cat by pass pipe,on some engines.If it throws codes I don't know.However all my cars first thing I did was ditch the cat.Never had codes,in fact it stopped some.Power loss you may clean your air sensor in intake,behind air box.I have too cleaned oxygen sensors with throotle body spray,and let dry.

[amosfella]

Well, when I'm able to crawl under there in the next little while, if there is not a post cat sensor to bug me, they're being ditched...
However, I cannot afford downtime to figure out how to bypass a sensor, or such....
Has anyone ever tried using those o2 sensor extensions that take the o2 sensor out of the main exhaust flow to work around this problem??

[Lowflyingbird]

I too have a 95 S320 and noticing the same issues. I will be removing the mid muffler. Occasionally I smell a small amount of rotten eggs indicating the cats may be on their way out. and, Yes I have tried cleaner and Xylene.
Have you done anything since your last post, or has anyone else done anything?
Please post.

[oldsinner111]

No cats,no center muffler.no codes pure power.

[Lowflyingbird]

Now I bust out the sawzall and the Mig welder!

[oldsinner111]

If you should get a code from 2nd oxygen sensor,unplug it and unscrew it.Take fire prooft paint or exhause putty and plug up hole in sensor.All it does is turn on check engine light.I removed my check engine light bulb.Don't need the agrevation.