91 park avenue need help

[thriftymom]

Ok I got this 91 buick pa,, really cheap in great shape , but the guy says that the alternator is going out so he took the plug off the alternator and ran the plug from the heater to it and it keeps it charged. We are replacing the alternator tomorrow but when you go to take off in the car its like it doesnt want to go at first then once it gets going it runs perfect, doesnt seem like a trans problem at all it just wont go when you first start to take off and it acts like its going to die, now another problem we have is it rattles under the drivers side and smells really bad when someone is behind you. Thinking its the catalytic converter but want to know what is making it rattle. Please help we dont know anthing about this car and need some serious help.

[volkerc]

As far as the rattle is concerned, it's like any other car. Isolate where it is coming from, then check the area visually. I'd say a rattle under the car is coming from the exhaust, loose connection or exhaust hitting the body, but that is a guess, as you are not describing the situation very well.A strong odor coming from the exhaust, could be engine running to rich or other, depending on the smell. Do you experience black smoke?blue smoke?grey smoke? or just a nasty smell like foul eggs?

[acewelderman]

Sounds like a pluged catyletic converter (no power & bad smell) The rattle is most likely is the heat shield on the converter .Is their a lot of presure at the tail pipe or does it seem to not blow hard when you gas it?You may have to take the pipe off at the converter to really tell if its pluged.Be carfull the pipe from converter to the back is VERY pricey.I would be inclined to go to the muffler shop & ask them to ck it.Cuz the bolts are always a big pain in the but.