OT 2002 Ranger exaughst question

[OldRedFord]

Have a crack in the Y pipe on the Ranger. Its cracked right at one of the oxygen sensors.

Thought it was something else when I had taken the truck to Advance and Auto Zone and couldnt pull up a code. So I took it to the stealer.

I should also point out that my truck has no muffler and just has a turn down behind the cat.

But anywho they said the rattle I have going on is because of not having a muffler and that one of the cats in the Y pipe has a loose chunk inside it.

They said it would be $1700 in parts to fix it all. For right now I am just going to weld up the crack. I also am hoping that will fix the rattle. I think its just loose cause of the cracked pipe.

But the major point of my post is....

Should I weld up that crack before I drive it anymore? I have heard that if the engine is running lean you can burn up the pistons. Is this true?

Kinda need to know tonight so I can decide what I am going to do tomarrow.

[fordman]

i/d just weld it up myself. i wouldn't worry about it. i'd weld it up before it got any worse.