glowing exhaust

[disco1776]

The discovery has been having some problems lately. Last time I started her up, the catalytic converter sounded like the wire mesh had broken lose...lots of rattling sounds from that area. I drove home from work the other day, a 10 min drive, and when I got home I looked at the exhaust and the second half of the catalytic converter, the half closest to the rear was glowing red hot. Also, the entrance to the muffler looked the same. I am not driving it now, obviously. Could this be pieces of the inside of the catalytic converter blocking the pathway of the exhaust? Please help!

 

[D Chapman]

Yep..Need new cats....Or just remove them.

 

[Gordo]

hmm

well, I had the same problem on my classic and it was running bad too. So I changed the cats but it wasnt the problem. As it turned out I had flopped a couple plug wires on accident and the raw gas in the exhaust was causing my cat to turn red. One exhaust guy told me this was the problem fuel in exhaust) but I didnt believe him and felt certain that a restricted cat was my problem. I have seen this problem twice though and on my brother in laws classic it was a clogged cat. You should be able to do a vacuum test to check for a clogged cat. Search it on this site. I found it and when I tested the vacuum it didnt indicate a clogged cat but since I had seen the glowing cat before I figured the test was wrong. Gordo

 

[Mike_Rupp]

Yep..Need new cats....Or just remove them.

Dan, why does it not surprise me that you would give someone advice to remove the catalytic converters?


http://www.epa.gov/otaq/cert/factshts/catcvrts.pdf.

If need be, replace the cats, but don't listen to Dan. An exhaust shop would be facing a $25,000 fine if they followed Dan's advice.

 

[jimjet]

if you remove the cats wont the down stream o2 sensor pick up on this and put on a CEL

 

[Chris-St Louis]

Yes, removing the cats will produce a Check Engine light on 96 up Rovers.(All cars really)

 

[jimjet]

thanks chris
mine need changing and im low on cash after rad job so i was considering removal to avoid clogging for the time being.

jim

 

[Chris-St Louis]

Jim..... Remember how I felt about ABS? Same with cats.

 

[jimjet]

gotcha chris
i do believe i will go with stainless steel from front to back.
jim

 

[disco1776]

remove them as in cut them off and re-weld new pipes in between or just gut them? I know its not regulation but im not going to spend 600 bucks for a new Y-pipe...just dont have the money.

 

[D Chapman]

I just had stright pipe welded in place of mine.. Check engine light was on for many months before I ever did this anywaybecause of dead O2 sensors. The truck runs a bit rich now, but only when your really on the gas...I think the 4.6 likes it rich anyway.

I've never had a problem with inspection, muffler shop, EPA, DEQ, IRS, CPA, etc....I'm not saying it's legal, but either is half the other shit we buy for our trucks...Plus, it gives it a pretty mean growl at idle.

 

[D Chapman]

Mike,

The way I read that, is if dude takes his car in to the muffler with no converter, the muffler shop can do what ever they want to. But, it they were to install a new converter, it has to meet certain regulations....

Man John Lee can point out the "loopholes" in the rule.....

 

[nismopowered]

I was looking at gutting mine and replaceing the resonator with a new cat.

 

[roverX]

Disco 1776 - I have two cats that will fit a 96 D1. They are new, never been used. I bought them to fabricate a custom exhaust but ran out of time so I just bought a new Y-pipe. You can have them, one or both, for the price of shipping plus a case of Corona. Shit, make that Corona Light, girlfriend says to lose the love handles...PM me and I'll give you my number.

 

[Gordo]

cats

I bought two universal catco cats from summit racing for 60 each and 150 to get them welded in. No excuses. Gordo

 

[peter sherman]

Pull your y pipe & dump out the lose ceramics. Then bolt back up. I did this on the 110 & worked like a charm. Don't forget to add new nuts on the man studs & knock out the studs on the y pipe & replace. Cheap temp fix.

 

[LR Max]

You need to watch out. Since you are in NC, this past year they have stepped up regulations on vehicle inspection. I took in my 73' Series 3 109 to get inspected and they checked EVERYTHING. They had the books saying what needed to be checked (charcoal canister filter and the PCV is all I remember). It pissed me off because the previous year the only thing I needed was working lights, horn, and windshield wipers . If they stepped up regulations on a old POS truck that was never intended for this side of the world, then I can only imagine what they'll want from a never vehicle that was destined for the US.

So, I do not suggest you cut the Cats off and straight pipe it. You will get called out on it and then that will be wasted $$$.

If you go to a regular muffler shop, they can hook you up with a full, new, exhaust for ~700 bucks. This includes CATS, muffler, piping, and installation (or at least that is what I was charged for the work on a 95 disco).

 

[Chris-St Louis]

Found a shop to hook you up!

These guys will remove your cat, and take out your ABS fuse.