2006 Mercury Mountaineer Engine noise

TONYJENKINS1976

MEMBER
2006 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER
4.6L
V8
AWD
AUTOMATIC
150,000 MILES

I have a 2006 mercury mountaineer sounds like a exhaust leak on passenger side and backfires thru the manifold. It won't go up hills without backfiring in the manifold, and it runs like crap, and I burned up slot of fuel. How much will it cost me to have it fixed? A mom and pop shop here wants 1500 dollars because they say my cadilic converter is clogged. Some say that my engine is running very lean cause of the exhaust leak on the head

5 Replies

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
109,724 POSTS

It does sound like the converter is plugged. Remove the O2 sensor before it to see if it runs better or remove the converter itself if you can.

Let me know what you find. Also, if the check engine light is on, let me know what codes are stored in the computer.

If the converter is bad, you should be able to get an aftermarket one for around 200.00. Based on where you live can increase or decrease the cost. However, for 1500.00 dollars, it should be gold plated. LOL

One other thought. When the engine is warm and you have driven the vehicle, leave it running and look at the catalytic converter. See if it is red hot.

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Friday, May 8th, 2015 AT 10:47 AM

TONYJENKINS1976

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Thank you sir or mamm. What do I do with the oxygen sensor? Just unplug it or remove it all together? Will it be okay to drive long distance? Don't worry I will tip you when I get paid. I'm in the military and I'm about to go to another base and this is the only car I've got and I cannot afford another.

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Friday, May 8th, 2015 AT 10:57 AM

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
109,724 POSTS

If you remove the sensor, that will be a (small) place for the engine to breath if the converter is plugged. So remove the entire sensor from the exhaust.

Keep in mind, there will be an exhaust leak there. If it is proven that the converter is plugged, I don't recommend any distance driving. Honestly, they make universal converters. You basically cut the old one off and replace it with the new and clamp it in place.

Also, without the sensor, the computer has no idea as to how much fuel the engine needs to run. As a result, it goes into what is closed loop providing as much fuel as it can to run the engine.

One last thing. If the converter is plugged and getting red hot, like most do when plugged, they are EXTREMELY hot and can cause a fire.

Let me know if you have other questions. Thanks for your service to our country. Many of us still appreciate it!

Joe

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Friday, May 8th, 2015 AT 11:27 AM

TONYJENKINS1976

MEMBER
3 POSTS

Sorry for bothering you again but I cannot find the oxygen sensor. My car is a 2006 mercury mountaineer and 4.6L V8. Is the Cadillac converter the two that is coming off the engine or it looks like I've got two mufflers coming off the engine. Two into one pipe and it goes into a huge muffler and out to a huge round muffler. Is there anyway you guys can help me find where it is. Thanks guys

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Monday, May 11th, 2015 AT 12:04 PM

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
109,724 POSTS

With the V8, there are two converters, and yes it your description sounds like you see them. Check for the sensor before the converter or even in the exhaust manifold.