Cat Failure/Throw Codes?
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 1,302
Likes: 4
From: Palo Alto CA
Cat Failure/Throw Codes?
I am pretty sure that at least one cat on my car is failing based on the heavy sulphur smell coming from my exhaust. My car has not thrown any codes other than a 1416, which I assume is unrelated. How do I know if my cats have failed?
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 32,910
Likes: 2,402
From: Anthony TX
CI 6,7,8,9,11 Vet
St. Jude Donor '08
Measure the CAT temp when the car is FULLY WARMED up and has entered closed loop. Take her for a nice drive and measure the CAT temp (infered laser therometer) The CAT temp should be 200-250 deg hotter than the CAT inlet pipe temp.
Bang the CAT with a rubber mallet. it should NOT make any rattling or crunching noises inside. If it does, the CAT Structure inside is burnt up and nolonger being held in place.
Bang the CAT with a rubber mallet. it should NOT make any rattling or crunching noises inside. If it does, the CAT Structure inside is burnt up and nolonger being held in place.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 1,302
Likes: 4
From: Palo Alto CA
Measure the CAT temp when the car is FULLY WARMED up and has entered closed loop. Take her for a nice drive and measure the CAT temp (infered laser therometer) The CAT temp should be 200-250 deg hotter than the CAT inlet pipe temp.
Bang the CAT with a rubber mallet. it should NOT make any rattling or crunching noises inside. If it does, the CAT Structure inside is burnt up and nolonger being held in place.
Bang the CAT with a rubber mallet. it should NOT make any rattling or crunching noises inside. If it does, the CAT Structure inside is burnt up and nolonger being held in place.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 1,302
Likes: 4
From: Palo Alto CA
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 32,910
Likes: 2,402
From: Anthony TX
CI 6,7,8,9,11 Vet
St. Jude Donor '08
There a re a few new products on the market that are reported to clean up the CATs and Sensors. Heres a post that i snagged off the net that reported good results.
"Catalytic Converter Cleaner
Hey all,
I just wanted to post an experience I've had over the past 9 months or so. I first came onto this board 9-10 months ago with CEL P0421 - Catalyst Warmup Efficiency below threshold. Volkswagen recommended I put in a new Cat but my mileage is good and I don't get any strange noises or odors from exhaust.
Now over the past 9 months I've seen mechanics for a variety of things but one of them recommended me to try catalytic converter cleaner fluid from Strauss. Now I've checked autozone, pepboys, and the only store near me that carries this is Strauss. It's a green can that says Catalytic converter cleaner... most only specify carburetor cleaner so make sure this is the right one for the purpose.
Now I would have this light on the majority of the time, but as I started to use the cleaner when filling up my tank every month -2 months I started noticing the light would turn off at times. The light became intermittent but every now and then I would toss this bottle into the gas tank when filling up.
I started to be in a cycle of the CEL on for 1.5 wks and then i would notice it turn off(usually after driving 20 miles highway and then refueling) for about 2-3 weeks.
I have gone from having this check engine light come on consistently to intermittent to now infrequent. I'm not sure what the original problem was (could've been O2 sensors or CAT) but i know the error seems to come up less often. I'm not claiming this to be a full fix, and it may have even been a fluke, but this could possibly save someone close to $1K instead of replacing a CAT or at least put it off before having to be replaced.
Good luck to anyone with these emission systems problems, as they can be a hassle with inspections and different parts could cause the problem. Maybe others have similar experience with this or a similar product.
NJ12nets "
Run a can of cat cleaner thru the system and see what happens..
Bill
"Catalytic Converter Cleaner
Hey all,
I just wanted to post an experience I've had over the past 9 months or so. I first came onto this board 9-10 months ago with CEL P0421 - Catalyst Warmup Efficiency below threshold. Volkswagen recommended I put in a new Cat but my mileage is good and I don't get any strange noises or odors from exhaust.
Now over the past 9 months I've seen mechanics for a variety of things but one of them recommended me to try catalytic converter cleaner fluid from Strauss. Now I've checked autozone, pepboys, and the only store near me that carries this is Strauss. It's a green can that says Catalytic converter cleaner... most only specify carburetor cleaner so make sure this is the right one for the purpose.
Now I would have this light on the majority of the time, but as I started to use the cleaner when filling up my tank every month -2 months I started noticing the light would turn off at times. The light became intermittent but every now and then I would toss this bottle into the gas tank when filling up.
I started to be in a cycle of the CEL on for 1.5 wks and then i would notice it turn off(usually after driving 20 miles highway and then refueling) for about 2-3 weeks.
I have gone from having this check engine light come on consistently to intermittent to now infrequent. I'm not sure what the original problem was (could've been O2 sensors or CAT) but i know the error seems to come up less often. I'm not claiming this to be a full fix, and it may have even been a fluke, but this could possibly save someone close to $1K instead of replacing a CAT or at least put it off before having to be replaced.
Good luck to anyone with these emission systems problems, as they can be a hassle with inspections and different parts could cause the problem. Maybe others have similar experience with this or a similar product.
NJ12nets "
Run a can of cat cleaner thru the system and see what happens..
Bill
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 1,302
Likes: 4
From: Palo Alto CA
Is this the product?
http://www.amazon.com/Catalytic-Conv...=pd_sim_auto_3
I am finding several and I am not sure which would be the top recommended one.
EDIT: I placed an order for it. If there is something else you recommend, I can try that too.
http://www.amazon.com/Catalytic-Conv...=pd_sim_auto_3
I am finding several and I am not sure which would be the top recommended one.
EDIT: I placed an order for it. If there is something else you recommend, I can try that too.
Last edited by Grimlock; May 31, 2012 at 06:22 PM.
