OBD2 (0174) Exhaust MYSTERY

[tension]

97 Rodeo 3.2L 4wd
About a week ago I developed a check engine light.
Being an OBD2 system I had to order an obd2 trouble code reader.
In the few days it took my tool to arrive I drove the car out of necesity. I noticed it was choked for power, it was reluctant to rev up, It felt to me as if it had too much back pressure. After a day or too I started to smell something like burning after short drives. I looked under the vehicle and saw that right at the end of my catylitic converter where it meets with the exhaust pipe the pipe was red hot. I mean really red hot. I wouldn't say that it was exactly the converter that was the center of the heat, but the area right where it and the exhaust pipe meet.
I got the code reader and It turn up a 0174 "system too lean bank 2" Which I believe is measured at the O2 sensor which is after the Catylitic converter very close to my red hot pipe.
I cleared the code and the vehicle actually started to run better. all though it still idles a bit rough. It now has more power than before I would say it almost runs normal except that the code keeps coming up and the pipe keeps getting super hot. So hot that I can smell a burning smell inside the cab.
I think it may be a clog in the exhaust. Or could it be I have a leak in my intake manifold? or maybe bad gas?
I had just had the clutch changed a couple of weeks ago which requires removing the exhasut system. Could it be something went wrong there? Any help would be kindly apreciated.

[amigo-2k]

sounds like you have a clogged cat.

-Ryan

[Dober89]

A clogged cat definately would choke your vehicle of some power and I think the red hot exhaust pipe in front of it gives a good indication that its not letting enough of the hot exhaust gases flow through it.

[tension]

I thank you for responding.
The red hot pipe is after (downstream) from the Cat not before.

Here is what my research has led me to so far:
I believe the cat is working.
THe code I got "p0174" tells me the downstream(after the cat) O2 sensor is putting out little to no voltage. (lean=Low)
Which makes the computer run the engine rich thus giving the cat an extra work out forcing it to run hot.
A rich running engine is not efficient thus giving me the decreased responsiveness and power loss.
This is my theory. So far its only a theory.
I will try switching around the two o2 sensors to see what happens.
If the trouble code changes I will know I have a bad o2 sensor. If it does not then either the wiring is faulty or the Cat is gone.

I am still looking for help on this one so if you think I am on the right path let me know if not show me the light please.

Thanks again

[abliao]

Did you change your O2 sensers?
I need help also.

[SteVB]

you sound right on to me. also, is the converter rattling at idle????

[rodeo02]

Yep, red hot at and downstream of the cat would indicate a rich condition. I'd start by checking your MAF sensor, could be dirty or oily especially if a cone style or oiled airfilter has been used.

G/luck
Joel