Symptoms of bad cats??

[SHOemup]

Can you guys name the symptoms of bad catalytic coverters or converters on their way out? Thanks in advance.

 

[337]

Well, I'm no expert on them, but as I'm told, if you start hearing rattling from the inside of the catalytic converter itself, that's a sure sign. Also, If you start smelling the rotten egg smell almost continously, that is most likely a sign of one about to go.

I have no idea wether they'll cause the raspiness you mentioned in your other post.

Lee

<small>[ July 18, 2002, 01:04 AM: Message edited by: 337 ]</small>

 

[SHOemup]

I have a rattle coming from there at low RPM's but i'm almost positive it's a heatshield. I had the other one removed and now the heatshield on the 2nd cat came loose. I guess i'll take this one off and if the rattle is still there, I'll know i need to replace the cats. Thanks

Chris

 

[bradman]

Lee,
If my memory serves me correctly, that "rotten egg smell" is a sign of complete combustion due to the SO2 as a product. Oh man, don't make me dig out my thermo notes.

Now, a raw fuel smell coming out the tailpipe would indicate to me that maybe the cats are not doing their job of burning off the excess. Of course, let the cats get hot before you make this judgement.

<small>[ July 18, 2002, 02:17 AM: Message edited by: bradman ]</small>

 

[smcallis]

It's good and bad that there is no downstream O2 sensor. Good that its one less thing to go wrong. Bad that it would tell you if the cat isn't working. I've had a bad cat on another car and if you thump it with your hand or rubber hammer you could hear the shit rattling around inside. This of course will only tell you if the stuff is breaking up inside. If that's happening it's definitely a bad thing.

 

[sdpatt]

Bad cats? That's when they tear up your furniture and crap on the floor.

You will also notice a drop in high rpm power as the engine can't pass enough exhaust by the plugged cats/exhaust to feed itself. This and the "death rattle" of the loose ceramic matrix in the cats.

 

[91 SHOplus]

sdpatt, I hear you loud and clear on the bad cats, I had to replace a leather sofa because of the little buggers! wink

 

[93nighthawk]

If your cat looks like this, boy are you in trouble!

Eric