|
Catalytic Converter Problems???
Hi All,
This is my first post. Great Forum. I have been cruising around looking for some answers but can't find anything specific to my problem.
I have a 1990 Celica GT 2.2L with about 140,000 miles. It has multiple issues, but the most pressing right now has to do with the CAT.
One morning a couple of weeks ago, I was pulling away from my house and noticed that I had significantly less power (hesitation, chugging, etc) than when I pulled in the night before. The next day I checked the plugs and wires. There is oil in the plug tubes, but the electrodes seemed fine. I checked the gaps and put the plugs back in (tighter this time they seemed a little loose coming out). I also added some fuel system cleaner. This seemed to help a little bit, but it wasn't back to normal.
I did a little poking around on line and found that the ignition coil could cause this problem, as well as some starting problems that I have been having. I put in a new coil and it made a big difference. Much better power and acceleration (not perfect, but better), also improved the starting issues but did not totally eliminate them.
On Monday night, driving home from work, I had a sudden loss of power. Think 0-60 in about 3 hours. I manged to limp the rest of the way home. When I got back to my garage, I could smell something burning (temp guage had been normal) and popped the hood, there was a lovely orange glow coming from the CAT.
Ahh a plugged CAT! I thought... Last night I pulled it off... and it looks fine. I was expexting to see charred metal or a disfigured lump where the honeycomb should be. Does a plugged CAT look any different than a non-plugged CAT? Once your CAT has glowed that lovely shade of orange, is there any chance that it is ok (assuming the underlying problem has been fixed)? My initial plan had been to knock some holes in the honeycomb, re-install the CAT and do a compression test and sensor cleaning/replacements. But if the CAT is still good, I don't want to go knocking holes in it. What are your thoughts?
Sorry about the long post.
Thanks for your help.
Jason
|
