95 Burb Catalytic Converter rattle

[jimh]

95 Burb 2WD, 350 TBI, 145K; great truck but starting to run a little funny(not HA HA funny). I have another post about transmission shift points. This question is about a noise in the CAT. If I bang it with my fist, it sounds like there is a golf ball bouncing in there. Called a dealer and they said they would gladly put on a new one on for $800. So much for calling the service department for any help! Engine has had all regular stuff replaced recently, plugs, wires, cap and roter; trans filter and fluid; cylinder compression is right at 150 on all 8.
?? Could a bad catalytic converter make it start running bad and not shifting when it should and still not kick the SES light and give me a code to find what the problem is?

[blueburbboober]

most definitely, when they rattle like that not only does it mean they have clogged up, but they have also broke off the interior brackets. its very common on older burbs. one suggestion: find a good exhaust shop in your area, and ask for an all new cat back exhaust. pay CASH (the price comes down with cash) it should run you about 600 bucks for the whole thing. (3" in/out cat, flowmaster 70 series, duals out the back with stainless tips)

if you dont want all that, just replace the cat then, it should be about 150-200 installed. my suggestion is do the whole thing though, becasue if your cat went, the rest isnt far behind...

-Rob

[RaiderRobert]

I have the same problem. I thought that one of the exhaust brackets was broken. The rattle only happens in the winter time, and only when idling. And I noticed that the engine now runs rough when in low speed, like starting from a stop. Any other ideas? (Yes, I need to have it checked. Not much time to do so)

[jimh]

Thanks RaiderRobert and Rob. Looks like I can get the whole bolt-on converter to about $180, from exhaust manifolds to T to converter to bolts connection to rest of existing system. Sounds much easier than getting just the converter and clamping it on (don't have a welder). Anyway, thanks for the input. Jim

[BSarte]

I had the same problem with my '95 K-1500 Suburban with the catalytic converter rattling. I went through the same issues of OEM replacements being way to expensive, $$$$ and the idea of someone trying to weld on a replacement CAT was too close to the O2 sensor. I found a plce on the internet that sells them and cost delivered to my door was $212 for the entire setup (exhaust manifolds to end of the CAT where the exhaust bolts up. Worked really great. Email me if you want to know where I got mione since I don't want to get in any trouble by posting a website name here where I got the system. Bruce

[Orion 762]

Thanks folks . . . this thread saved me lots of $$. I thought it was a TX problem, and 3 different shops (including Chevrolet) said it was TX related (about $1500 ++ to fix).

It WAS the catalytic converter . . . giving all kinds of performance and "tx like" symptoms.

Thanks again . . . Orion 762