Catalytic Converter

J Stemler · 09-09-2005, 12:27 PM

On a recent trip to Myrtle Beach, I noticed a lack of power when climbing grades that I had no trouble with in the past, transmission would downshift on the slighest grade. Took the unit in for service to a local Ford dealer. Was informed last week that they did find a miss and replaced some plug wires, but unit still lacked power. A flow test (?) was done and today I was informed that the catalytic converter was bad and needed to be replaced, this was the cause of the loss of power...oh yeah...the part alone is $2200.00 !!!!!. Anyone else ever experience anything like this ?

J Stemler · 09-09-2005, 12:27 PM

On a recent trip to Myrtle Beach, I noticed a lack of power when climbing grades that I had no trouble with in the past, transmission would downshift on the slighest grade. Took the unit in for service to a local Ford dealer. Was informed last week that they did find a miss and replaced some plug wires, but unit still lacked power. A flow test (?) was done and today I was informed that the catalytic converter was bad and needed to be replaced, this was the cause of the loss of power...oh yeah...the part alone is $2200.00 !!!!!. Anyone else ever experience anything like this ?

George Miklas · 09-09-2005, 06:12 PM

Sounds like you just need to clean out the one you have and put it back on. Back pressure from that thing causes higher heat on the exhaust valves and manifolds. You'll also get higher horsepower & torque, and better MPGs too.

GM

GStream40 · 09-09-2005, 06:30 PM

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by George Miklas:
Sounds like you just need to clean out the one you have and put it back on. Back pressure from that thing causes higher heat on the exhaust valves and manifolds. You'll also get higher horsepower & torque, and better MPGs too.

GM </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

George,

I am curious, How does one "clean out" a catalytic converter?

Ron

max49 · 09-09-2005, 06:41 PM

I cleaned out the one on my daughter's first car, a 12 yr. old Honda. It ran like it was new again. Never an emission problem. I cleaned it out with a big hammer and a pipe that just fit. I doubt if you'll find a shop to do this for you tho.

George Miklas · 09-09-2005, 07:01 PM

Ron,
Well of course, you get a vacuum cleaner

I'll bet you'll find Max's way works better though

George

Captain Bud · 09-10-2005, 03:02 AM

Max49, are you saying that you disabled the converter with a thru pipe?

Grumpy9 · 09-10-2005, 06:59 AM

How many miles do you have on the unit??
I was under the impression that the government required that manufactureers to provide a lenghty warranty on converters.

GStream40 · 09-10-2005, 01:36 PM

George,

That is what I thought.

They used to sell "Test Pipes" that one could remove the converter and install the "test pipe" to be sure that the converter was bad before you wasted money on a new one.

Of course one would remove the test pipe and buy a new catalytic converter to install if one verified that the catalytic converter was plugged/bad.

Yep, right after the cows came home.

Ron

Captain Bud · 09-10-2005, 03:11 PM

If anyone on this thread is possibily suggesting that the Cat Converters should be bypassed, straight piped or other method of disabling is WRONG. They are on there because it is the law and is good for the environment, and the engines are designed and set up to run with them in place.