with all the problems i've been having lately



Ok so the coolant problem isn't happening anymore the car seems to be running like a champ....



So i took it for a drive

Low and behold I get to my destination and notice that there is smoke coming from under the car...



There was Smoke coming off the Main Cat, Kinda smelled like a mix between Burning rubber and plastic.... Checked around the cat No plastic bag stuck anywhere on the exhaust..



Talked it over with my brother and looked here in the forums



and came to the conclusion that the Cat maybe going out...



Does this sound like the case?



Here in Cali. were kinda screwed with the whole 2 year smog thing... but i have untill March of next year....



So I'm thinking about taking it down to the local muffler shop... a hole in the wall actually and have him take it out and put a straight pipe in there instead...



Problem with that.... The Tube that's hooked up to the main cat goes to the Check Valve.... I'm thinking block that off and I should be good... Please feel free to correct me if i'm wrong.....but where to block it off from.... the flange that hooks up where the main cat is or up closer to the block?

 

you can just remove that tube it doesnt do anything for smog, it only works on decel



mike

 

but i remember reading through the old posts where someone had eliminated the cats and their car was Backfiring is that going to be the case?

 

On decel it dumps to the air cleaner.

The tube to the cat is in operation during cruise at normal operating temperature.

The extra air (oxygen mainly) is used by the catalytic converter to reduce HC &

CO emissions in the rearward portion. What I would suggest, is to ask said

hole-in-the-wall exhaust shop to build you a pipe with flanges. It is a $10,000

fine if they get caught removing a catalytic converter without installing a

replacement.



OR,

(I never said this......)



unbolt everything (cat) and remove the restriction. Then replace it back the way it

was (cat). When you go for a smog test, and of course fail, ask about the

Consumer Assistance Program. Our wonderful state will assist with the repair

costs up to $450. As long as everything is in order. Nothing can be Missing,

Modified, or Disconnected.

I, as a Test Only smog tech, cannot functionally test a catalytic converter. I

can only look under the car and see if it is there and installed properly.

I do, however, check timing. On both the leading and trailing. So if you have

a custom split, or advanced timing, it fails.



Dammit! long winded again!

Raul

PS a hammer and a tire iron work well.....

 

Well when the time comes i am going to go ahead and replace the cat with a high flow cat it's just that i'm kinda short on funds right now and i can't afford to replace the cat :-/