1998 Isuzu Rodeo Exhausht

[elopez2]

Guys I have a ? about my Isuzu. Runs pretty good the only thing I have notice is that when the CAr is cold I put my hand on the muffler and there's not a lot of pressure comming out thur there hardy any. Does anybody know what are the systems to check for a catalytic converter? How can I tell they are bad?

[Gizmo42]

If it was a bad cat converter you should be getting CEL with codes for o2 sensor readings bank 1 sensor 2 or bank 2 sensor 2 . Start by looking for leaks or crimped exhaust tubing.

Common area for leaks is the flex pipe after the drivers side cat. I crimped my tail pipe trying to back over a rock and bent it above the rear axle, basicly making it a 3/4" exhaust. Its also possible for the muffler to block up though I've only seen that once in my life (one of the baffles rusted loose and blocked the outlet).

[df2000]

They will rattle like bunch of stones in metal box. Cat may be bad by emmission standard but it not effect engine performance. End there is also a CEL if there is a problem.

[elopez2]

Is this not healthy for the engine? The car doesn't rattle but or smells like rotten eggs but I'm just worried that if I take it for a long drive it will die on me. I heard is Illegal to take them out catalyc converters out. Do U guys on your Isuzu's have pressure on your tail pipe?

[amigo-2k]

I think that rotten egg smell is a classic sign of a bad cat. I would order 2 from Jegs and take it to a shop to have them put in and hav the rest of the system inspected too.

[Gizmo42]

Originally Posted by amigo-2k

I think that rotten egg smell is a classic sign of a bad cat. I would order 2 from Jegs and take it to a shop to have them put in and hav the rest of the system inspected too.

Rotten egg smell can also be normal if you are using gas with a high sulfer content. Normal procedure for a rotten egg smell is to change brands of fuel for a couple tanks first, if the smell doesnt go away then suspect fouled cats.

In this particular case though if there is a rotten egg smell along with low exhaust pressure then I would consider the cats as well. Unusual that its not throwing CELs if one or both are bad though.

[2eyefishclaw]

rotten egg smell from rodeo normal
lack of power after a few minutes of run time may indicate clogged cat
not all bad cats rattle
you have any weird sounds like ehaust trying to escape from places other than the tail pipe

[elopez2]

No sounds just no pressure from exhausht pipe I haven't lost any power on the SUV.

[Gizmo42]

After starting with the engine cold put you hand over the end of the tail pipe tightly to block any exhaust from comming out (like the ol banana iin the tail pipe trick).

Does it build pressure?

You can also have someone else block it while you crawl under the truck to listen for leaks.

Mine doesnt feel like very much comming out unless I block it, then it builds pretty good pressure. I can also hear the leak in one of the flanges that I already know about.

[Stites]

At idle, you shouldn't have much exhaust pressure. The Trans Am we once had put off nothing more than a slow-rising steam once warmed up. Now, if you had a friend hop in and romp on the gas a few times while you felt the tailpipe, that'd tell you a little more about what's going on.