OK.. Now I'm confused

[Brians_VT_SHO]

My SHO has been driving me nuts. I don't know if I have a plugged Cat, Plugged fuel filter, cooling problem or what...........

I'll start from the beginning. Last Fri night I was driving my SHO when I smelled hot grease, I pulled over, opened the hood and found fire coming from the area of the right inner CV boot. It went out as quick as it started but the Boot failed and dripped grease on the Right cat. I towed it home (at this point I'd owned the car less than 48 hours) after a search I finaly found a boot kit that would fit it. I took it for a quick test drive and when I pulled over to check on the boot, I found the right Cat glowing red hot. I drove it back home slowly. I have also noticed that the temp gauge never gets above the L in Normal. Assuming I had the run cool, run rich/overheating cat problem, I pulled the thermostat and found it to be in perfect working order (checked in a pan of water with a thermometer, opened at 190 deg.) put it back together, still have glowing cats. Also it's running rough now

I called several shops and asked them what they thought. I got answers all over the place from a plugged fuel filter to plugged cats to a stuck on fan to jumped timing.

I'm about ready to put this puppy up for sale here pretty quick (along with the parts car with the bad ATX)

As it is I'm calling the state about the guy I bought it from. He's been no help at all, and since VT has an implied warranty law, I may be able to get something done.

Soooooo, does anyone have an idea where I should start looking for things to check so I can get it back on the road?

Thanks
Brian

 

[Shoaz]

Sounds like it's running too rich for whatever reason. It may be as simple as cleaning the MAF. Does it have a K&N filter? Put a clean paper filter in it, clean the MAF, see what it does.

 

[RStalveyARFF]

could also be a ECT sensor (engine coolant temperature). If it's saying the car is cold it's going to supply more fuel. Also, make sure the jiggle valve(s) are facing the 12:00 position.

 

[Brians_VT_SHO]

Will the ECT throw a code? I've been getting an intermittant Check engine light as well. It's got a new paper filter and how do you clean the MAF sensor?... Total Newbie here. this make's me want to start digging back into my Ranchero Project, Carbs I can fix

Brian

 

[Bizzy]

When you drive the car does it make a hissing or whooshing sound? Rap a few times on each of the cats to see if you hear anything rattle in there. I'd be willing to bet that you're also experiencing severe power loss as well especially at lower RPMs. The cat that is glowing red is probably done for.

As for the temperature, if you replaced the t-stat then I'd also say go wtih the ECT sensor.

P.S. Read the following article on SHOTimes for how to read your own codes.

And then this one for 2 digit or 3 digit codes.