Car started stuttering, left me stranded on highway, red header, help! - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

BoyYota · 01-13-2011, 12:27 AM

Like my topic says, I was driving my car and noticed loss of power, engine smoking, then stuttering, I stopped almost immediately and when I opened my hood and saw that the header pipe was burning red.

I've suspected a clogged cat for a while now. I was actually going to order a straight-thru replacement on Saturday, but now I got stranded on my way to a late night job.

I just want to know, what do you guys think about total damage? The engine seems to turn on fine, but it idles with a mild stutter, revs up with a good bit of stutter, etc. Can my engine still be OK? OMG I hope so.

demonics12 · 01-13-2011, 01:10 AM

might have burnt some valves,

a buddy of mine had a nissan ca20 engine with a partially sheared crankshaft pulley keyway, which made it run very retarded timing, it kept cracking manifolds, and eventually, the frontpipe completely fell off the flange, due to heat damage. still ran fine though

i have no idea what could be damaged, but running that high of exhaust temps cannot be good for the fragile valvetrain components

BoyYota · 01-13-2011, 01:14 AM

Ahh man. The first thing I did was call my dad and he said there could definitely be damage in the head somewhere. I was like noooo. Fooook. First thing to do now is just bang out the cat and see what it runs like with no cat. The timing isn't terrible though, my mom is leaving in vacation for 2 weeks so I assume if nothing else I will get to drive her 02 Camry around until I can do what needs to be done. I just hope it's not beyond the cat. I wouldn't be too mad about being forced into head work though, it needed it.

Bitter · 01-13-2011, 07:53 AM

misfire? raw fuel can make things glow red.

BoyYota · 01-13-2011, 09:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bitter

misfire? raw fuel can make things glow red.

Not just the plain heat buildup from a clogged cat?

What about the stuttering?

There's never been a fuel smell of any type, I get 25+MPG.

I just got back from getting it towed home. Sounds pretty rough. No way to tell if that's from the clogged cat til I disconnect it I guess?

Cross your fingers for me folks.

BoyYota · 01-13-2011, 12:04 PM

I think we're good. I removed the o2 sensor and started it up and it sounds--mmm, the way you'd expect a car that's got a clogged cat and has exhaust gas coming back up out the o2 hole: a lot of chugging. It is clean, even chugging so I think after I pound out the cat and plug the o2 hole we'll be alright! I need a new o2 sensor too, thing is toast.

speedy25 · 01-13-2011, 06:46 PM

I came across a stranded traveler from out of state pulling out his back seat to throw in the drainage ditch.........because it was on fire from a clogged cat!

Hopefully there isnt any other residual damage from the excessive overheating. A leakdown test will tell you if the valves survived.

-SP

Bitter · 01-13-2011, 07:32 PM

Yea, the catalyst broke apart inside and plugged up. taking out the O2 sensor is a quick test, if the engine runs somewhat normal with it out then its clogged up back there.

badcompany87 · 01-14-2011, 03:45 PM

Man that sucks. It sounds scary. Is there any way to tell your cat is going bad before that happens lol?

BoyYota · 01-14-2011, 03:55 PM

I knew it was going bad. Usually you notice power loss and I didn't even really feel that although I have always felt this car seemed like it needed to do more work than it should to get up there. Anyway I've been wanting to get a straight through pipe for a while now. I knew the cat couldn't be in good shape with all the burning oil that goes through it (1qt every 200 miles). During the last few days I could hear it roasting when I would get home after driving and like I said, I had planned to order one on Saturday. Now I NEED to take it out and hollow it out.

Though I blasted it with PB Blaster and have been trying hard as hell to get the damn bolts off. They are not budging. I think I may have a saw-off operation in my hands.

BoyYota · 01-14-2011, 04:31 PM

Renting a sawzall from Home Depot tomorrow

Bitter · 01-14-2011, 09:04 PM

nah, what you do is grind the heads off the bolts at the flange and then just use a hammer and punch and the bolt and nut will just knock through no problem. you'll need a new gasket also.

BoyYota · 01-15-2011, 05:45 AM

Sawzall.

Bitter · 01-15-2011, 09:53 AM

well you can sawzall the heads off but a grinder is easier to control. If you cut the piping you have to dink with patching in new piping and won't pass a visual.

BoyYota · 01-15-2011, 10:48 AM

Oh yeah I'm not trying to pass anything right now.

I ran a Sentra with open header down here for months, no problems.

I'm gonna patch it up on this car though, already have the temp piping. I meant to use the sawzall for the piping but I can't get a good angle on it. Gonna saw the rest off by hand. Ugh.