Bought a 2001 TJ with emissions deleted

Pilacacia

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New Mexico
Just bought a 2001 TJ 4 cylinder. I don’t have much experience with cars but have wanted to get handier, was going to use it as an occasional driver and learn how to fix things up along the way. I took it for a pre-purchase inspection but the mechanic and I both missed that the entire emissions system had been removed. Check engine light is on. (The shop originally told it was because of a small oil leak. Bought it and got the oil leak fixed and here we are. Lesson learned.)

We live in a state without emissions testing so, while it’s already registered, I’m worried about 1) it being illegal and 2) being a problem with insurance and 3) getting it to pass if I move to another state. Could anyone help me understand or point me to some resources to help me figure out what i’m dealing with, how big of a deal this is, what exactly I’m missing? Thanks.
 
Just my opinion..if it runs good go enjoy the jeep and get used to it and don't worry about the lack of emissions. You can always find the emissions stuff later and make it smog legal. I hate people that think that tearing out the emissions is a good idea. I won't drive a rig often that doesn't have a cat installed
 
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What exactly was removed? What codes are stored in the computer for the check engine light?

Sorry for the incomplete info here… I’m still trying to figure that out. I know the charcoal canister and the valve that goes with it are missing. I’m also pretty sure the two pre-cats are missing but I’m not 100% sure where to locate them (but I do think I see the main cat in the underbody). Code was for emissions but am not sure which one. I’m taking the Jeep to another shop this week to try to verify, although I’m a little worried about them giving me a hard time about it being street legal.
 
Sorry for the incomplete info here… I’m still trying to figure that out. I know the charcoal canister and the valve that goes with it are missing. I’m also pretty sure the two pre-cats are missing but I’m not 100% sure where to locate them (but I do think I see the main cat in the underbody). Code was for emissions but am not sure which one. I’m taking the Jeep to another shop this week to try to verify, although I’m a little worried about them giving me a hard time about it being street legal.

For the life of me I don’t know why people remove charcoal canisters. Start by seeing if the emission sticker under the hood it there. It may have a diagram of the emission components. It’s a good place to start.
 
For the life of me I don’t know why people remove charcoal canisters. Start by seeing if the emission sticker under the hood it there. It may have a diagram of the emission components. It’s a good place to start.

Thanks! I wasn’t able to find the emissions sticker under the hood. Checked all around the radiator and engine too. It wouldn’t surprise me if that got removed, too. I’ve been trying to Google one but haven’t had much luck.
 
Are you sure the jeep had pre cats? For some reason I was thinking the 2.5 jeeps only used the single cat towards the rear
 
Are you sure the jeep had pre cats? For some reason I was thinking the 2.5 jeeps only used the single cat towards the rear

That’s a great question… I haven’t been able to find an emissions sticker anywhere so I was just googling. I could be mistaken. It’s a 2001 Wrangler SE, 2.5 L / 4 cylinder, if that helps. Does anyone here know by chance? Would just removing the canister and valve trigger the check engine light?
 
That’s a great question… I haven’t been able to find an emissions sticker anywhere so I was just googling. I could be mistaken. It’s a 2001 Wrangler SE, 2.5 L / 4 cylinder, if that helps. Does anyone here know by chance? Would just removing the canister and valve trigger the check engine light?

I have considered my answer and I am 90 percent sure a 2001 2.5 jeep only has the rear converter no pre cats. I also believe the missing charcoal cannoster will trigger a check engine light.
 
That’s a great question… I haven’t been able to find an emissions sticker anywhere so I was just googling. I could be mistaken. It’s a 2001 Wrangler SE, 2.5 L / 4 cylinder, if that helps. Does anyone here know by chance? Would just removing the canister and valve trigger the check engine light?

Yes removing the canister will trigger the CEL due to no purge valve.
Here is a diagram from the 2002 service manual.section 25. If you are interested in learning to work on your Jeep. Read this section dentifrice what has been removed. I would look for someone parting out a Jeep to source the parts.
C5E05053-5C7E-48D4-B2B5-7ACB5F0635D1.png
 
The Cat will have an two sensors an up and down stream, which means one between engine and cat and one after the cat.
 
Just drive it. Put things back if you want to, hopefully the applicable connector ends are still there.
No shop worth using to is going to give 2 shits about the missing components. It's not like there is an EPA reward hot line to rat out "emissions criminals".
Any shop that tells you an oil leak will turn on the CEL isn't worth going back to.
Enjoy it, and go exploring.
 
Just drive it. Put things back if you want to, hopefully the applicable connector ends are still there.
No shop worth using to is going to give 2 shits about the missing components. It's not like there is an EPA reward hot line to rat out "emissions criminals".
Any shop that tells you an oil leak will turn on the CEL isn't worth going back to.
Enjoy it, and go exploring.

X2. There are bigger problems in the world than a few missing emission parts to tell on. Also, I've never ever had insurance come and look at a vehicle before insuring it. Its always "VIN, address, and can we use the card on file?"
 
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Thanks, all! Glad I found this forum. I guess my first DIY will come sooner than I thought but nice to know I can take my time doing it.
 
Sounds like a start to a great trail rig! just go out and drive it. I wish I didnt have to worry about emmisions