Catalytic Convert '94 Eighty-Eight

[olds8894]

Recently my 1994 Oldsmobile Eighty-Eight had been acting sluggish. At first I thought it might be the MAF or the EGR, but after I cleaned them it still would lose all power after it had run and gotten to the normal operating temp. My uncle and I pulled the exhaust system off and drove it. Though it was loud, I didn't have this problem so this led us to believe that the Catalytic Converter was clogger or poisoned. The next day I took it to the muffler shop and had them take a look. The back pressure was 5lbs. and the normal is 1lb. They put a "test pipe" (took off cat. and put in a pipe). Now, I dont have the loss of power and seem to have more power. I know that its not exactly legal and the pollution is horrible but it runs better than it did when I bought the car. Does anyone have an idea on how this happened? Also wondering if this has happened to anyone else. Thanks.

[maxwedge]

So it failed after 12 years, replace it, it will fail most state inspections and it is a federal violation to remove it.

[olds8894]

Where do these gov't inspections take place. I've never been subject to an inspection and I've never known anyone who has. If I lived in California I might replace it, but I dont so I'm not going to. Simply asking for thoughts on what might have caused this. Yes, 12 years old, but catalytic converters are supposed to last the life of the car.

[fourtwenty]

Originally Posted by olds8894

Where do these gov't inspections take place. I've never been subject to an inspection and I've never known anyone who has. If I lived in California I might replace it, but I dont so I'm not going to. Simply asking for thoughts on what might have caused this. Yes, 12 years old, but catalytic converters are supposed to last the life of the car.

I bet 12 years is beyond the expected life of the car in GM's eyes..

[GTP Dad]

The car will run without a cat but as someone said it is a violation of federal law to completely remove it for use on the street. A lot of people do it and get away with it since I don't think the EPA will send the FBI to look you up for such a violation. Most converters are only good for about 150K miles, some last a lot fewer miles. It all depends on the condition of the engine and whether it is well maintained. Usually they will go bad if too much fuel gets into them due to a malfunctioning engine or if water is introduced by a leaking head gasket. For the most part they do wear out from time to time.

[maxwedge]

Originally Posted by olds8894

Where do these gov't inspections take place. I've never been subject to an inspection and I've never known anyone who has. If I lived in California I might replace it, but I dont so I'm not going to. Simply asking for thoughts on what might have caused this. Yes, 12 years old, but catalytic converters are supposed to last the life of the car.

Who says the cats last a lifetime, bull, they loose there efficiency and/ or can fail due to engine or tuning problems. EPA regs require a cat on all post 75 cars, a random check by any DMV or state mandated agency can be done at a road check point or of course all state inspections look for a cat, no secrets here about any of this!

[olds8894]

Like I said, not too worried about it. If they happen to inspect me, they can call the muffler shop that did it and they can explain that its a 'test pipe.' *These things can take years to test* If you know what I mean. lol.

[98slab88]

Yeah on most of my cars I'll drop in a test pipe and cut the cat in half and weld the shell of the cat around the test pipe. The local shop never does a complete inspection, plus myself and my family has been doing business with them since they opened like 20 years ago. I live in New York and we have some pretty strick rules compared to other states, but nobody cares around here, haha. Basically, if someone is going to whine about how illegal it is and that it's the worst thing todo, they should buy a PT Crusier so I can point and laugh at them

[maxwedge]

Originally Posted by 98slab88

Yeah on most of my cars I'll drop in a test pipe and cut the cat in half and weld the shell of the cat around the test pipe. The local shop never does a complete inspection, plus myself and my family has been doing business with them since they opened like 20 years ago. I live in New York and we have some pretty strick rules compared to other states, but nobody cares around here, haha. Basically, if someone is going to whine about how illegal it is and that it's the worst thing todo, they should buy a PT Crusier so I can point and laugh at them

For what it is worth I operate an inspection station in upstate NY, and the first thing we all look for is a missing cat, if your " guys" are letting this slide, good luck!!!

[98slab88]

Originally Posted by maxwedge

For what it is worth I operate an inspection station in upstate NY, and the first thing we all look for is a missing cat, if your " guys" are letting this slide, good luck!!!

It's worth every second of the smoking tires as I pound on the pedal because I have better exhaust flow

Plus I live in a small town where nobody cares about any laws

[olds8894]

Oh wow, I loved the last two post on here. I'm going to agree with the last guy, it is worth every second of smoking the tires. Boo hoo if you dont like it. And yes, if you really think that its so bad as to remove the cat. then buy a PT Cruiser, pansy.