Clogged Catalytic Converter?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 189
Likes: 0
From: Berkeley Heights New Jersey
Clogged Catalytic Converter?
Can catalytic converters become clogged over time, either with rust or broken parts inside. I know the heat riser is not frozen, but hear a great deal of pressure on the right side of the car. The car is running exceptionally hot and lacks power.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 8,164
Likes: 0
From: ohio
Re: Clogged Catalytic Converter? (bl75vette)
yeah, that could be a cause of lack of power and overheating. whats the exhaust sound like?
basically....some fail over time....some dont. all depends on what kind of junk is flowing through each particular cars exhaust and the quality of the converter.
basically....some fail over time....some dont. all depends on what kind of junk is flowing through each particular cars exhaust and the quality of the converter.
Pro
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 726
Likes: 0
From: Petaluma CA
Re: Clogged Catalytic Converter? (bl75vette)
Yes..they can clog but I think it is more residue than rust or parts. It will run poorly, even enough to stop completely. For example, oil blow-by can clog up the cat "honeycomb"...so be sure there is not a second problem...they can test them easily. Heat should be greater behind the cat. And yes, the enema analogy is good.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 189
Likes: 0
From: Berkeley Heights New Jersey
Re: Clogged Catalytic Converter? (Stevo)
Thought it was the trans, so I took it to my local trans shop. He road tested it with his other partner. Verdict was the exhaust is clogged somewhere. He said once you fix this the car will run like new. Didn't know whether or not to believe them. Anyway, I ordered true-duals from C.Central. Hope to see an improvement. Thanks for you input guys.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 1,160
Likes: 0
From: Ajax Ontario
Re: Clogged Catalytic Converter? (Fevre)
Friend of mine just had his converter clog in a '91 Caprice with high miles. Car overheated and ran with no power. Sounds similar to your situation.
You will free up a lot of pent up horsepower with your true duals!!
[Modified by 68shark, 10:08 AM 7/3/2002]
You will free up a lot of pent up horsepower with your true duals!!
[Modified by 68shark, 10:08 AM 7/3/2002]
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 774
Likes: 0
From: Palatine IL
Re: Clogged Catalytic Converter? (bl75vette)
Wait a minute. I just read your sig and it says you have a 1975. I thought cat converters where not installed until 1976???? :confused:
Yes they can become clogged. You can try banging on it :smash: with a rubber mallet to try to loosen the pellets. This is a short term fix and may or may not help. It's best to get a new high flow cat or go true duals. :yesnod:
[Modified by vettesite, 11:11 AM 7/3/2002]
Yes they can become clogged. You can try banging on it :smash: with a rubber mallet to try to loosen the pellets. This is a short term fix and may or may not help. It's best to get a new high flow cat or go true duals. :yesnod:
[Modified by vettesite, 11:11 AM 7/3/2002]
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 2,844
Likes: 99
From: Orrtanna Pa.
Re: Clogged Catalytic Converter? (bl75vette)
Had a TranAm plug one up. It seems the ignition timing I ran was too agressive for the cat to handle. When the garage removed it they opened it up and it looked like a chunk of volcanic magma. What a difference the new non stock convertor made.
