Catalytic Coverter Smoke
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Catalytic Coverter Smoke
I thought I had a fluid leak - driving even a short way there would be smoke (a fair amount of it) coming up around the driver side cat conv, enough to cause concern. I searched for a fluid leak - paper under: nothing. I put the car up on four stands, level, and ran it: nothing. Can/will the catalytic converter itself generate smoke? Original owner, 1987, 108,000 miles - original cat(s). Probably should replace them in any event.
May seem obvious but I want to confirm.
May seem obvious but I want to confirm.
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2011
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No.
Cats might smoke when brand new as they burn off any oils on the exterior but they do not just start smoking on their own.
There IS a leak somewhere....
Are these the pre-cats you are talking about?
if so, driver side, I'd look close at the oil pressure sender and back of intake manifold.
Cats might smoke when brand new as they burn off any oils on the exterior but they do not just start smoking on their own.
There IS a leak somewhere....
Are these the pre-cats you are talking about?
if so, driver side, I'd look close at the oil pressure sender and back of intake manifold.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2004
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From: Dublin CA
A brand new cat will smoke but one as old as yours should not. Are you sure that something has not shifted so the cat is closer to the under body or perhaps touching? Are you feeling excessive heat on the floor anywhere?
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2009
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From: Ashland PA
2021 C4 of the Year - Modified Finalist
I had that problem on my 90 it was leaking oil from the rear of the intake, had to remove the intake and reseal everything. This spring had smoke once more this time it was the oil pressure switch just behind the rear of the intake leaking, that was an easy fix.
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Thanks to all, gentlemen.
Yes, I'm referring to the pre-cat on the drivers side. No, I do not believe the cat has shifted and feel no heat inside the car. I will focus in on the intake manifold and the sender. Thanks again.
Yes, I'm referring to the pre-cat on the drivers side. No, I do not believe the cat has shifted and feel no heat inside the car. I will focus in on the intake manifold and the sender. Thanks again.
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After life pulled me away from this issue for a while, I'm back to it. I've managed to give the oil pressure sender a good look and it seems clean... BUT...I notice a whole bunch of crud (to use the technical term) atop the filter/oil cooler and the hose coming from the cooler. Location-wise, this would be the area nearest where the smoke seems to be coming from. Might on be on the right track?
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2011
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yup...
follow the evidence...but in this case, your path should go UP, over the evidence that you discover...
The cooler/filter mount has O-rings inside and hoses are hoses...capable of leaking whenever its inconvenient.
follow the evidence...but in this case, your path should go UP, over the evidence that you discover...
The cooler/filter mount has O-rings inside and hoses are hoses...capable of leaking whenever its inconvenient.
