5VZ-FE sputtering, heavy exhaust gas smell, P0420 & Tailpipe leaking water

Thank you for reading my issue and taking the time to respond.

Truck info:
2000 3.4 v6 auto 222K miles

I know I have a P0420 code. I've slacked on getting this one fixed!

01/24/20, my truck drove fine. No issues.
01/25/20, 5pm I go to start my truck and it starts sputtering. I did go to drive it and starts sputtering and shake. Dark came to quick to check things out.
01/26/20, I start it up and same issue. I do notice a heavy gas smell from the exhaust. I bust out the Haynes manual and search around on TW.


Things I check...
1. Vacuum leaks, every thing looks good and feels good. I even used a stethoscope.
2. Intake manifold bolts are good.
3. Battery, Tested out good.
4. Exhaust sensors, tested them. But I couldn't get a solid answer on what the numbers should be.
5. Fuses, All in good condition.
6. Air filter, Clean and in good condition.
7. Oil, clean and smelled good.
8. Transmission fluid, clean and smelled good.
9. Coolant, clean and looked good.


I believe my issue is my catalytic converter and a sensor. (See pictures of senors)

Also, I had water leaking from my tailpipe and the tip. See pictures of water marks on my exhaust tailpipe, it was dripping just as much from the tip. I didn't get a chance to get pictures or video of it.

I do have a video of the exhaust noise and water from my exhaust tip.
https://youtu.be/rFPox8Mhv8E

Any suggestion will be greatly appreciated...

 

I'm leaning towards a plugged/damaged cat convertor as well, based off the info you've provided

 

your exhaust should produce a small amount of water, it's the catalyst's function to change the exhaust gases into less harmful ones. the reason the exhaust rusts from teh inside out is usually the moisture gets trapped and not evaporated fast enough due to shorter drives not heating the entire exhaust system up

hopefully someone else can chime in on the other items but it maybe too rich caused by a faulty sensor.

 

you are missing and sputtering and smelling gas and you haven't checked spark plug and wires?
water from condensation in tailpipe in the morning is normal. i doubt the p0420 code has anything to do with it other than maybe cat was killed by poor spark and rich fuel.
check wires and plugs.

 

yep, this right here.

@BeardedTacoma your catalytic converter is doing its job, perfectly normal to see that.

I would definitely look into swapping out those sensors for new. The exhaust leak you're smelling probably coming from the sensors (those gaskets look wasted) and/or exhaust. I snapped off one of the studs for the upstream sensor on my tacoma and ended up using a band clamp to secure it. While its sealed enough to not throw any codes, I can totally smell it.

Be sure to only go with Denso - computer will be happy. Use this to find your part#s: https://densoautoparts.com/find-my-part.aspx

Tick the box for Oxygen Sensor and it will pull up your part#s. Once you determine the part you need, hit up Amazon. I tend to not use fleaBay for O2 sensors - too many counterfeits there.

 

I would definitely look into changing those o2 sensors out and it wouldn't hurt checking the spark plugs and wires sometimes it simple as swapping out spark plugs

 

I recently had a similar issue. Turned out the bung on the rear O2 sensor was corroded and lost a bunch of metal, so I was getting a lot of leakage.

A good custom shop cut it out, welded on a new bung + new denso sensor and it runs perfect.

Mine looked worse than yours ... Good luck.

 

basics first... pull the spark plugs and look at them and if they look questionable replace them. See if the plug well is filled with oil, this will short out a plug. do a compression test to see if there is anything mechanically wrong. after that, you are going to need a ODBII scanner. Look at fuel trims, both long and short term. This is an idication of what the A/F ratio sensor is seeing. If the trims are + or - 10% there isnt any issue with either a stuck open or closed injector... + or - 25% there is. If there is, ohm check them, injectors has an issue when they get old the resisitance increases and they dont work as well. Yes, you can still have an injector check out electrically but still not work. Take each injector off one at a time while she is running if possible. The DS ones under the lower intake are pretty tough to get too. Trying to isolate particular cylinders here... a similar test is to take a plug wire / coil off.

 

Really late but did you ever find it out? After a damn year I think I’ve found all the evap leaks. One after another, but I’ve been having same symptoms. Did and exhaust leak check with some soapy bubbles and found them