Catalytic Converter

1991 Miata

What signs when your Catalytic Converter is going or is gone. Any odors?
Sound?

Gary wrote:

> What signs when your Catalytic Converter is going or is gone. Any odors?
> Sound?


If the element inside the metal housing is falling apart, it will rattle
like a can full of gravel. Pieces can actually come loose and jam
against your oxygen sensor.
I had this happen in my 1996 miata and suddenly had almost no power in
the left lane of a busy freeway. This was when Jackson Racing was
selling defective units years ago.

If the catalytic converter is just getting clogged up with use or if it
has been damaged, you should notice a considerable decrease in power. It
is also likely that your check engine light will come on, but not
necessarily.

I had a 1987 Maxima, (uhg!), that had a very sudden loss of power. I was
looking the car over with it running and noticed that the catalytic
converter was glowing red.
I immediately shut the car down, hollowed out the cat, I mean I replaced
it of course, and everything ran fine.

Good luck!

Pat

i would only know if it didn't pass inspection
a cheap non-oem replacement can be found at summitracing.com
$75 for one with direct fit flanges, $107 in stainless steel.

"Gary" > wrote in message
news:lS_Gg.10873$Vo.2660@trndny09...
> 1991 Miata
>
> What signs when your Catalytic Converter is going or is gone. Any odors?
> Sound?
>
>

"Gary" > wrote in message
news:lS_Gg.10873$Vo.2660@trndny09...
> 1991 Miata
>
> What signs when your Catalytic Converter is going or is gone. Any odors?
> Sound?
>
>

Just went through this on my truck. Never noticed any odors. Extreme loss of
power, losing speed in second stage passing gear, barely making it up the
bridge over the Mississippi river. Finally took out the cat, cleared out the
guts and went for a drive, truck has NEVER run that good since I bought it.
Just ordered a new cat from Summittracing.com. They beat my local parts
stores by right at $100.00.

I bought a 2000 Protege last year. Got a good deal on it; I believe
other buyers passed because the "check engine" light was on. Drove fine;
plenty of power. Had my handy code reader with me and pegged the
problem as either an O2 sensor or catalytic converter.

Had to change both but it was a great deal even so.

Don't know why it was bad. Definitely was not falling apart; no loose
parts. It just didn't provide any catalyst anymore. This was an easy job
on the 1.6L four. Perhaps a previous owner used leaded fuel?

To answer the question: the check engine light was on and the car
failed emissions testing when I only changed the O2 sensor and reset the
light (light came back on during the test). Changed out the cat and all
was well.

Ken


Gary wrote:
> 1991 Miata
>
> What signs when your Catalytic Converter is going or is gone. Any odors?
> Sound?
>
>