There is no way to fix a catalytic converter for a 1987 Mercury Cougar, since it is a sealed and unrepairable item. Once it goes bad, you must jack up the car, unbolt the old converter, then put a new one in its place and bolt it in.
First, lift your car using ramps to ensure that you can reach the converter which is located about midway down the length of your car. Second, remove all the bolts holding the converter in place. Third, make sure that the catalytic converter that you have purchased is right for your car to avoid any confusion. Fourth, take your O2 wrench and remove the O2 sensor before you unbolt the catalytic converter. After that, remove the pipe that connects the sensor to the converter. Fifth, bolt the new catalytic converter in place after you have taken out the old one. Sixth, re-attach the exhaust pipes and O2 sensor. After this is done you are basically done!
take the bolts off. drop the old install the new one.
Remove 2 bolts onthe flange near the catalytic converter and or muffler. Cut the exhaust pipe if it is welded or Unclamp if it is not. Youmight also needto get an adapter for the new parts vs old parts.
Cut off the old one and weld a new one in its place.
The catalytic converter is usually held in place by a set of clamps located at the front and rear of the unit. These clamps tie the unit to the exhaust system. If your converter is welded to the exhaust pipes, you will need to remove the old welding and weld the new one in place, or bring it to a service station and have them do it.
Normally when catalytic converters become clogged and need replacing there is a reason for this. Something caused the converter to become clogged. Unless you fix the problem the new converter will just become clogged like the old one. If the check engine light is not on and the vehicle is running perfectly with the new converter then it will more than likely pass the smog test.
There are no different kinds of catalytic converters. They are all made with the same inner workings. The only difference is the outside casing, whether it is made to fit or not. There is even such a thing as a universal catalytic converter that some muffler shops use. They cut the pipes off of your old cat, and weld them onto the replacement cat to make it fit.
The converter will cost from $275 to $325 depending on where you buy it. Labor to remove the old one and install a new one will be around $100.
You either bolt on a new assembly, or cut the old ones out and weld generic units in place.
Old cars give off more carbon dioxide because they do not have catalytic converters. Catalytic converters act as catalysts, converting dangerous substances such carbon monoxide into harmless compounds.
It is either clogged and needs replacing or you have one or more cylinders that is not firing properly and unburnt fuel is being ignited in the converter. On an 18 year old car I would suspect the converter is clogged.