Hello everyone I have seem to run into an issue. While driving home from work last week I had my check engine light come on. I scanned it and had a P0420 issue come up and the recommended fix is to replace my catalytic converters.

In terms of what was going on my idle is very wonky and not steady whatsoever. I have had the car actually stall out while just idling and I am getting a very noticeable gasoline smell.

All the above issues aim at a catalytic converter issue so I'm just gonna replace them with berk HFC's. But in the meantime I have work until sunday morning and they do not come in until Monday.

1. Can I unplug the front O2 sensor on bank 1(pass side) and this should alleviate symptoms and make it a temporary fix?
2. If not can someone give me a temporary fix just until I can put in the new cats. Or if this is extremely serious should i not drive it at all.

Sorry for the lengthy post I'm still learning a lot about cars. Thanks.

 

1st- my usual lesson on O2 sensors and Cats-
The upstream O2 sensors help regulate the air/fuel mix at any given time. Downstream sensors are mandated to monitor the efficiency of the cat converters. When efficiency drops below 96% it throws a code and light (CEL). What some people do instead of laying out $$$ for cats is the "No-Fouler" spark plug trick for like $8. (find it on YT). It backs the sensor away from the exhaust stream about 2" and lots of folks say it works just fine. In your case it's likely that either your O2 sensors are shot and/or the cat may actually be clogged. I would not install no foulers without confirming the cats are flowing, a truly clogged cat can result in bad performance and even overheating.
As for your questions it's entirely possible you need to check your air filter and intake for leaks. Unplugging the O2 really won't solve anything. gl!