You lose power, engine can't breathe.
There is no cleaner for a catalytic converter. If it is stopped up you must replace it.
there is no drive cycle for a catalytic converter it could be plugged up....
The answer is yes, it can.
Not downshifting properly Plugged catalytic converter Needs tune-up (new plugs)
I'd assume too much soot would build up and the truck would not start.
The life of your catalytic converter depends on the condition of the engine and the fuel you're using. If the fuel has the wrong additives, the catalytic converter can become plugged up. If the engine burns oil the oil vapor will build up on the catalytic converter and it can become plugged. Otherwise, if the catalytic converter isn't plugged, don't replace it.
You can't, period. It is illegal to remove a catalytic converter without installing another one. Besides no modern engine will run correctly with the catalytic converter removed. Suck it up, buy a converter and have it installed.
You will fail an emission test and worse case, the engine will fail to run if the cat gets plugged up.
Air filter? Fuel filter? Spark plugs? Engine timing? Catalytic converter?
At least for a California 96 Camry, the O2 sensors are right up front as you open the hood. There is one just before the catalytic converter and one one the end of the catalytic converter. You can identify them as the only "plugs" that have wires running from them which are connected to the exhaust system.
No, it's illegal to remove the converter. Besides the engine will not run correctly with the converter removed.
Tap it and if you hear parts rattling around it's shot. A catalytic converter is made up of ceramic plates, if it rattles when hit it's broken up inside. Replace.