Took my wife's Rover for a drive after replacing the air springs this weekend, and when I got back I noticed a little more black smoke coming out of the exhaust than normal, (been running really rich for a while)...so naturally, I pumped the gas a few times only to shoot out a couple of black chunks out!

I wonder if getting these little guys out of the way might help my gas mileage a little! Being in FL, I might remove the cats altogether, but the cost of those new rear o2's is still a little too fresh. We will see.

 

How the heck did that get through your muffler... unless you don't have a muffler?

 

At this point, you will need to find what killed your cats, too much gas, coolant or oil, then replace both cats along with a new muffler and resinator cause they are both destroyed.

 

Not sure. There IS a muffler attached. I'm excited to check into this project...just need to get the SLS, noisy pulleys, & running very rich "projects" taken care of first! Yipee!

 

I'd be willing to bet it is the too much gas option...it's been running quite rich since we've had it. But to be honest, since I'm in FL AND on a budget, I'm considering other options then replacing everything.

 

That much back pressure will/can cause you to burn your valves, I would deal with this a lot sooner then later before the expense grows.

 

Where do I start in diagnosing the cause of running rich?

The only codes I have are P0134, and 0154. (both front o2 sensors) All 4 o2 sensors are new and from AB.

 

I'd like to go to some muffler shops prepared so I make the best decision possible.

I'm getting around a $430 quote to replace the cats and muffler and delete the resonator...does that sound about right?
Anyone know of a better/cheaper option?

I don't have a lot of extra money to put towards this, but I don't want to cause any other problems from the muffler being clogged with cats...?!?!

Thanks.

 

Check this CL post, it might help you out some:
http://tampa.craigslist.org/hil/pts/2201363523.html

 

Check this post as well, this dude is parting out a 2003, but be warned he is full of ****:
http://orlando.craigslist.org/pts/2165008122.html