Catalytic converter replacement advice needed
 

First of all.. I have searched all over to find this topic.. and I am sure it is somewhere in this forum .. but I haven’t found it.. unless someone can point me to the right topic.. I would be thankful.. and delete this post..
so here we go.. I have recently bought a 2012 e70 3.5xi fully loaded with 115,000km / 72,000 miles for my American friends .. I know its old for u guys.. but in my county the custom fees are 50% of the car price.. so I totaled with registration for 25,000$
Anyway.. I took it to my indi.. he said to change the transmission fluid and engine oil.. and seems that my catalytic converter is shot and needs either to be deleted or changed.. used goes 650$ and new for 1800$
Any advice if I want to delete the converter without getting the check engine light??

Carly report attachedhttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...76f2a8fedd.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...8e0e1a2a83.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...3b94713f1e.jpg


Dr. Moustafa Kassab
Bmw e70 2012

There's so many other things it could be. Catalytic converters should last the entire useful life of the vehicle. There are engine issues that can shorten the life and "useful life of vehicle" is different for some and vague.

Why not troubleshoot the misfire? Bad misfires can damage a catalytic converter but since your misfire is so bad the DME has shut off that cylinder entirely, that's less likely to occur. It also means it's really bad.

Why not replace the oxygen sensors as part of a tune-up and misfire repair? A bad oxygen sensor can mimic a failed or failing catalytic converter. An exhaust leak, specifically immediately around the oxygen sensor bungs can also mimic a failed or failing catalytic converter.

I will guarantee that replacing the catalytic converter on your X5 will fix nothing. I'll also guarantee that deleting it will fix nothing. All it might do is hide the DTC for it but the underlying problem that caused or is causing it will still exist and given the apparent running condition of your X5, will only get worse.

Catalytic converter replacement advice needed
 

Is the vehicle still misfiring or are these codes leftovers? I ask because you didn’t mention anything about repairing the misfire. And if it is still misfiring that bad I wouldn’t recommend driving it till you get that sorted out.

I agree with josiah52 recommendation though. Troubleshoot and repair the misfire first. That could be causing enough of a chain reaction to trigger the converter code if you follow what I’m saying. O2 sensors can definitely be the culprit as well. Have your mechanic confirm the converters is or isn’t functioning by measuring the inlet and outlet temps. Many more times than not it’s a faulty O2 sensor. But if your engines been driven in a poor state of tune for some time ( by the previous owner) the converter surely may be damaged. They do go bad, just not very often especially on a properly maintained vehicle. Hope this helps in some way.


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well the first thing I I will tell him to do is change all spark plugs .. and switch the coil form another cylinder.. and clear the fault again.. and drive it a bit..
and by I prefer to delete the cat converter because it its expensive.. and the emission regulation in my country are not that strict.. so its not worth replacing unless the suv needs it to function properly.
another question.. if o2 sensor is bad.. wouldn't it show up on the scanner?

Same crowd here as Bimmerfest..


same advice here as at Bimmerfest


You are pissing away money chasing Cats and Parts...


https://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/sh....php?t=1314661


It isnt your cat.


It isnt coils


It isnt plugs


It is an air leak or maf error (maybe O2s?) causing AFR issues- THIS is then causing the missing and cat codes

Am I double posting if I post here and bimmerfest?


Dr. Moustafa Kassab
Bmw e70 2012

Eh, probably 80-90% of the same folks. But technically not double posting.


;)

But we're saying it's not your catalytic converter. It's probably something very simple and not very costly in all reality. Your cat and checkbook can live another day.

On the other hand, you could pay to delete it but you also need to pay to reprogram the DME so that the CEL isn't constantly on. The programming also costs money and usually not an insignificant amount. The cat is not needed for vehicle operation but fix the misfire.

Really, the only specific O2 sensor DTC is for completely failed sensors: sensor heater, completely open or shorted signals, high/low voltage. However, a failing O2 sensor can cause a multitude of problems and DTCs. For example, a catalytic converter inefficiency DTC, lean fuel condition, even misfires. MAFS are worth checking out also.

ok.. the car is fine.. just a bad spark plug.. all hoses are fine.. O2 sensors are fine..
cat converter is good.. turbo is good..
however it gave a imp mode once after the new spark plug..cleared again.. and now all is ok..
is it possible a hidden intermittent failure.?? or should I just trial and error?

Nice X you have. Just drive it and enjoy.