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Problems keeping my Vette running

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Old Jun 26, 2009 | 05:31 PM
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Default Problems keeping my Vette running

Hello all,

I've seen a lot of great advice on this board and I'm hoping that someone maybe able to help me. I've got a 91 Vette that seems to be having some issues. I start the car and everything is fine for 30-45 seconds. As soon as I put the car in gear it stalls right out. It's putting out this wonderful sulfur/rotten eggs smell. My first thought is blocked catalytic converter.

Can anyone help me with any other ideas or let me know if you think it's the cat.?

Any help is appreciated.

Thanks!

Rich
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Old Jun 26, 2009 | 05:34 PM
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anytime I have had that problem on any car, it has been the converter.

Are you losing power?

That usually shows up next.
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Old Jun 26, 2009 | 05:36 PM
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Can't really say if I'm losing power, it's an automatic and as soon as I shift into gear the car stalls.

Will the converter clear itself out if I keep starting the car? Or am I likely to have to replace it?
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Old Jun 26, 2009 | 05:54 PM
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It wont fix itself, you will need to replace or clean out the guts.
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Old Jun 26, 2009 | 06:59 PM
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Once the screens in the Cat get clogged or collapse it's all over....go to a real muffler shop if you can get it to go.
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Old Jun 26, 2009 | 07:01 PM
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Try removing the O2 sensor. It will set a code for sure, but it will also relieve the backpressure and keep your car running long enough to get it to a muffler shop.

Either that or cut the cat off and then go get a new one put on.
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Old Jun 26, 2009 | 10:05 PM
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Thanks all, I'm more convinced than ever it's the cat. Once the car cools down it will run fine for about 2 minutes, but as soon as everything heats up, it just shuts right down.

Thanks again for the comments, looks like I've got a bad cat. to take care of.
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Old Jun 27, 2009 | 02:41 AM
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Originally Posted by richwho
Thanks all, I'm more convinced than ever it's the cat. Once the car cools down it will run fine for about 2 minutes, but as soon as everything heats up, it just shuts right down.

Thanks again for the comments, looks like I've got a bad cat. to take care of.
I would check the injectors too if you haven´t already done that.
Engine gets warm and shuts off, if more than two injectors crap out, it will shut off itself.
Check the resistance cold and hot and see if there is a bigger difference than +- 0.5 ohms between all of them and they should at least be higher than 14 ohms (I believe it was).
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Old Jun 27, 2009 | 08:54 AM
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Originally Posted by vette079
I would check the injectors too if you haven´t already done that.
Engine gets warm and shuts off, if more than two injectors crap out, it will shut off itself.
Check the resistance cold and hot and see if there is a bigger difference than +- 0.5 ohms between all of them and they should at least be higher than 14 ohms (I believe it was).
Would a couple of fouled injectors result in the sulfur/rotten egg smell?
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Old Jun 27, 2009 | 12:14 PM
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It won't hurt to ohm the injectors, since it's relatively quick. If you do have bad ones, the O2 sensor might read lean and the ECM could be dumping too much fuel through the others, possibly giving you the smell.

If you have a low pressure fuel/ vacuum gauge, you can remove the check valves going to the exhaust manifold and check your exhaust back pressure, using the rubber conical attachment. It should be about 1 psi at idle and no more than 3 psi (IIRC) at 2000 rpm. A plugged cat will create a higher back pressure.
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