If the car is buit after 1996 you will need to install a new catalytic converter to get check engine light to go out if the code is for the cat.
My Chilton repair manual engine wiring schematic, for the 1996 Ford Explorer with a 4.0 L OHV engine shows 3 . Two are upstream (before the catalytic convertor) and one downstream (after the catalytic convertor - which is an oxygen sensor but is used to monitor the efficiency of the catalytic convertor)
On the 3.0 L and 4.0 L there are 2 oxygen sensors at the front and 1 oxygen sensor (which monitors your catalytic convertor efficiency) at the back after the exhaust gasses have passed through the convertor. On the four cylinder engine - 1 oxygen sensor at the front - 1 oxygen sensor at the back (downstream of catalytic convertor - monitors catalytic convertor efficiency) Helpfull
send a small amount of raw fuel/air to the catalytic convertor,which increases the efficiency of the operating engine.
The Northstar engine uses two O2 sensors. Sensor 1 is located on a bung in the exhaust after the manifold, but before the catalytic convertor. Sensor 2 is located after the catalytic convertor. It's that simple.
sounds like a bad catalytic convertor
There will either be 2 or 4 sensors. It depends on the emission package that is on the vehicle. The only places these are located is one or two before the catalytic convertor and one or two after the catalytic convertor. I imagine that the V-6 has only two. 1 before and 1 after the Catalytic conv.
The catalytic converters "burn" unused hydrocarbons, including raw and partially burned gasoline, and CAN burn small amounts of engine oil, providing that the engine isn't TOO messed up. But engine oil often has additives that can eventually destroy the catalytic converter. co and no is removed via Catalytic Converter
Leaded fuel, an engine that burns oil... Not sure of ALL the things that can cause problems but those are sure high on the list.
YES ! as soon as the engine was started , you would notice how noisy it was The catalytic converter(s) are in the exhaust system before the muffler , and removing the catalytic convertor just leaves an open exhaust pipe - extremely loud
There are two. One is located on the exhaust header of the engine, and the other is located underneath the car behind the catalytic convertor.
You would get crappy gas mileage and you would hear the engine humming real loudly. It's not a good sign, by the way.
If the engine in that Mustang is maintained properly the catalytic convertor should last the lifetime of the vehicle.