91 Cutlass Supreme Cat Conv

[cableguy4k]

The mechanic says that my catalitic conv needs to be replaced because it is plugged. He also says that it might have caused some engine damage. What might have been damaged?? What are the signs??
Thanks,
Steve

[Chris Stewart]

I thought your Cutlass was fixed, does it still have no power?
There's a test where you take the pre-cat O2 sensor out and screw in a pressure guage then start the motor.... I don't know the normal pressure range though.

[cableguy4k]

Chris,
The power problem has been fixed,coil pack. I took the car in for an exhaust leak, mechanic said the conv was plugged.

[Chris Stewart]

A stopped up cat converter makes the motor lose power big time. If you have normal power, you have normal exhaust flow. I'd take it somewhere else for the exhaust repair.

[53bruce]

I have seen what a plugged cat concerter can do, the one I saw blew apart the EGR valve on a Geo traker when it was run at hiway speeds. The way to check it is to start the engine and have someone put thier hand over the exhaust and rev the engine, you should feel lots of pressure at the exhaust.
Around here, generic converters run about $60. apart from cutting the old one off it wasnt too bad of a job. It really is a simple device, you could see right thru the matrix from one end to the other. the "bad" one it looked like the honeycomb inside had broken and tilted over, which plugs up the path. Looks like they really shouldnt be hit with a hammer...