I recently gutted the catalytic converter on my Loyale through the hole where the O2 sensor threads into caty, and then welded the hole shut.

I'm wondering Will this cause any problems with the computer on my Suby? 

Well how did it run, you probably already took it for a spin right? !

 

In general yes the ECU uses that to adjust the air fuel ratio.  Without it it'll presumably run rich and get poor mileage.

I'm not sure if this actually would happen in this case but too much fuel washes the oil off the cylilnder walls, dilutes the oil.

 

But you may also need to verify which engine/vehicle you're talking about.  

its a 1993 Loyale 4 wheel drive wagon. it seems to be running fine so far. it has more power. however I might try to find  a decent caty at the scrap yard to replace the one i just gutted. it seems to me like it was designed to have an O2 sensor for a reason. so even though there are no noticeable problems from removing it, i just don't feel great about it.

my understanding is the engine runs without the O2 when it's first started until the engine is warmed up.

once it reaches a certain temperature then it uses the O2 sensor for feedback and adjusting air-fuel ratio. ;

 

without the O2 sensor you're just stuck in that "pre-warm up" mode and probably running rich.

 

given you have a fuel injected 93 loyale yeah I think you would be better off with one. though i've definitely driven around with oxygen sensors before and it's not a problem as a makeshift or temporary situaion, i'm not sure what long term would look like.

 

in later lie 1995-2004 engines with a rear Oxygen sensor, those aren't used by the ECU and can be compeltely removed without any issues at all because the ECU doesn't even use them. they're only used to trigger a CEL, not for drivability. so you can ignore those, never replace them, remove them, and it doesn't matter for drivability. but that's different than yours - it's actually used for the air-fuel ratio.

Edited December 11, 20169 yr by grossgary

thank you for the info "elite master of subaru" 

 

so it seems like by what you are saying it would be better to run the vehicle with the O2 sensor  but you Said "I think you would be better of without one" 

 

I'm a bit confused on this...

d "I think you would be better of without one" 

 

Right! Edit - I meant "with one".   that engine probably needs that sensor to deliver optimal fuel mileage.  

 

"elite...." is a randomly generated title by the board so don't assume much from it. 

d "I think you would be better of without one" 

 

Right! Edit - I meant "with one".   that engine probably needs that sensor to deliver optimal fuel mileage.  

 

"elite...." is a generated title by the board so don't assume much from it. 

okay haha it is an extreme title lol

 

Thank you I appreciate the advice very much!

Gary is just being modest, he is a Elite Master of Subaru

 

Your impression of more power is probably valid (somewhat), but the downside is longer-term damage caused by running rich and environmental damage by not running a cat while using unleaded fuel.

yeah it's a blessing that you guys on here have so much knowledge and share it

 

I just ordered a brand new caty and 02 sensor!

Yes, you want the O2 sensor, as written above.