Clogged Catalytic Converter

USFJoseph · 05-30-2007, 11:27 AM

So I got a check engine light yesterday -- called OnStar to run a vehicle diagnostics (I love OnStar) and they said there was some sort of emissions error on the powertrain.

I took it in to Saturn today and they said that the catalytic converter is clogged and they are overnighting a new one to replace it.

Any ideas how this happened? Anyone else have it happen on their Sky? Is there anything else I should have looked at because of this? Any info would be appreciated.

SunburstSky · 05-30-2007, 12:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by USFJoseph

So I got a check engine light yesterday -- called OnStar to run a vehicle diagnostics (I love OnStar) and they said there was some sort of emissions error on the powertrain.

I took it in to Saturn today and they said that the catalytic converter is clogged and they are overnighting a new one to replace it.

Any ideas how this happened? Anyone else have it happen on their Sky? Is there anything else I should have looked at because of this? Any info would be appreciated.

No worries, Had mine replaced too. At least your dealer isnt messing with it and replacing it on the 1st go around I went in 3 times.

Gerry · 05-30-2007, 12:22 PM

Converters usually fail due to excessively rich mixtures or longer term misfires. They burn out due to the heat of fuel burning in the converter. It takes a richer mixture to make the converter work, but too rich and you kill the converter.

MISky · 05-31-2007, 07:18 AM

Mine is being replaced today for the second time in six months. They don't seem to have a clue what's causing it. I'm not much of a mechanic, but it seems to me the converter is just a symptom of another problem, not the real cause. Thank god for the 100K mile warranty.

RPIpower · 05-31-2007, 11:11 AM

What kind of gas are you guys using? What type of plugs?

MISky · 05-31-2007, 12:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RPIpower

What kind of gas are you guys using? What type of plugs?

93 Octane and stock plugs

coopcj7 · 05-31-2007, 09:56 PM

had mine replaced at 10100 smiles. It kept throwing a rich code. it took them 3 times coming in before they replaced it. I haven't had a code and turning over 30000 smiles now

RPIpower · 06-01-2007, 01:33 PM

Somethings got to be wrong if your cats are going bad. The cats are tested and should last 100k miles before they even become a production item. If any of you have access to a wide band or something, I would monitor that for a while and see if you are running too rich, etc.

MISky · 06-03-2007, 11:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RPIpower

Somethings got to be wrong if your cats are going bad. The cats are tested and should last 100k miles before they even become a production item. If any of you have access to a wide band or something, I would monitor that for a while and see if you are running too rich, etc.

I asked if they thought it was running rich after both replacements and they said no each time. How would I find out if it is and what could be done to correct it.

MidniteBlues · 06-04-2007, 11:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RPIpower

Somethings got to be wrong if your cats are going bad. The cats are tested and should last 100k miles before they even become a production item. If any of you have access to a wide band or something, I would monitor that for a while and see if you are running too rich, etc.

Would a DashHawk work for this? And if not, what tool do you recommend that we can hook up to monitor this??

RPIpower · 06-04-2007, 12:51 PM

The Dashawk wouldnt work because its still reading from your factory narrowband sensors. You would need a wideband to see what the actualy AFRs are. Are you getting any misfires? The misfires would kill the cats faster than running too rich.

HotRedRoadster · 06-04-2007, 12:56 PM

My cat went bad also...I had it replaced 1 week ago....Maybe bad cats??

Quote:

Originally Posted by USFJoseph

So I got a check engine light yesterday -- called OnStar to run a vehicle diagnostics (I love OnStar) and they said there was some sort of emissions error on the powertrain.

I took it in to Saturn today and they said that the catalytic converter is clogged and they are overnighting a new one to replace it.

Any ideas how this happened? Anyone else have it happen on their Sky? Is there anything else I should have looked at because of this? Any info would be appreciated.

MidniteBlues · 06-04-2007, 02:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RPIpower

The Dashawk wouldn't work because its still reading from your factory narrow band sensors. You would need a wide band to see what the actually AFRs are. Are you getting any misfires? The misfires would kill the cats faster than running too rich.

Thanks for your reply Eloy, no I have been fortunate all around so far with my sky. (knock on particle board)

I understand what you mean when we are talking wide/narrow bands. Is there a device the public can buy for this? Or is it a special item only dealers and facilities like yours can only buy? If I may ask, what do you use? Can I then assume that the dash hawk is strictly a narrow band device? not upgradeable?

Also, do you know if it is only 2.4L that are failing, or does that include R/L's. What have you seen? Also, as a possibly for causing CAT failures, would people running on regular fuel, or fuel less than premium perhaps contributing to these failures? I use strictly premium, so to date no problem of any kind with my mechanics--

RPIpower · 06-04-2007, 07:32 PM

I asked our main tech here and he thinks the cats could be failing due to misfires. I know a few people who have had CELs due to misfire. I got it a couple of times also.

Maybe 10 years ago, wideband 02 controllers were VERY expensive. With new technology, etc. its failry inexpensive to have a good one installed. I use the AEM UEGO which is only a couple of hundred bucks on my car and customers cars. If you dont want to go that route, you can always go to a shop that has an eddy current dyno and have them monitor your afr under different loads. That should cost you about $100.

lawdog6153 · 07-04-2007, 12:53 AM

just took mine in yeah the onstar guy can check it in just a few minutes, thas freaking awesome, i also have a laptop connected to the edu and a program got it from sears and it works great.
well anyway i usually drivehard and fast around 80-90 mph on the highways, yesterday i was up around 80 and wanted to pass this car and all of a sudden knocking slightly and then the power went slowed to around 70 and tried to take it back up and nothing. took it in and they said it was the converter. i told them my car was backfiring a little in 2nd gear and they said it was running to lean, but i thought if its backfiring it means it running to rich.

SkyHi07 · 07-04-2007, 08:28 AM

Is this only happening on Red Lines?

marlboromike · 07-04-2007, 12:43 PM

Please post if R/L or CLASSIC

MidniteBlues · 07-04-2007, 01:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by marlboromike

Please post if R/L or CLASSIC

Huh??

What the hell is that? Do you mean the 2.4L or the Sky?

Who started this classless crap anywho?

bradsky · 07-05-2007, 10:41 PM

N/A for Naturally Aspirated 2.4L
or
Classic
or
Base...
....any others?

MidniteBlues · 07-06-2007, 02:01 PM

It's not a classic, nor a base, it is a SKY!!! or 2.4L or NA, those I understand, that other crap is unknown to me--

05-30-2007, 11:27 AM	#1 (permalink)
USFJoseph First 2000 Sr. Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Tampa, FL Posts: 116 My Photos: (0)	Clogged Catalytic Converter So I got a check engine light yesterday -- called OnStar to run a vehicle diagnostics (I love OnStar) and they said there was some sort of emissions error on the powertrain. I took it in to Saturn today and they said that the catalytic converter is clogged and they are overnighting a new one to replace it. Any ideas how this happened? Anyone else have it happen on their Sky? Is there anything else I should have looked at because of this? Any info would be appreciated.

05-31-2007, 11:11 AM	#5 (permalink)
RPIpower Supporting Vendor Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 1,724 My Photos: (0)	What kind of gas are you guys using? What type of plugs? __________________ Eloy "Brutus" #001 RPi 2.4GTS Race Precision, Inc. 7029 Marcelle Street Paramount, CA 90723 562-630-5966 www.raceprecision.com

05-31-2007, 09:56 PM	#7 (permalink)
coopcj7 Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: My Very Own Trunk Monkey Posts: 833 My Photos: (0)	had mine replaced at 10100 smiles. It kept throwing a rich code. it took them 3 times coming in before they replaced it. I haven't had a code and turning over 30000 smiles now __________________ Chili Pepper Red #3060 3 Stainless Pedals 1 plastic foot rest Black Top Black Leather Upgraded LSD 6 Disc Monsoon Flowmaster Dual Exhuast Redline Gauges GMPP CAI Bullet Door Locks "FOUNDER OF CENTRAL OHIO CUSTOM KAPPAS"

06-01-2007, 01:33 PM	#8 (permalink)
RPIpower Supporting Vendor Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 1,724 My Photos: (0)	Somethings got to be wrong if your cats are going bad. The cats are tested and should last 100k miles before they even become a production item. If any of you have access to a wide band or something, I would monitor that for a while and see if you are running too rich, etc. __________________ Eloy "Brutus" #001 RPi 2.4GTS Race Precision, Inc. 7029 Marcelle Street Paramount, CA 90723 562-630-5966 www.raceprecision.com

06-04-2007, 12:51 PM	#11 (permalink)
RPIpower Supporting Vendor Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 1,724 My Photos: (0)	The Dashawk wouldnt work because its still reading from your factory narrowband sensors. You would need a wideband to see what the actualy AFRs are. Are you getting any misfires? The misfires would kill the cats faster than running too rich. __________________ Eloy "Brutus" #001 RPi 2.4GTS Race Precision, Inc. 7029 Marcelle Street Paramount, CA 90723 562-630-5966 www.raceprecision.com

Remove Advertisements Sponsored Links
Saturn Sky Forum Advertisement

05-30-2007, 12:22 PM	#3 (permalink)
Gerry Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 540 My Photos: (0)	Converters usually fail due to excessively rich mixtures or longer term misfires. They burn out due to the heat of fuel burning in the converter. It takes a richer mixture to make the converter work, but too rich and you kill the converter.

05-31-2007, 07:18 AM	#4 (permalink)
MISky First 2000 Sr. Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Michigan Posts: 58 My Photos: (6)	Mine is being replaced today for the second time in six months. They don't seem to have a clue what's causing it. I'm not much of a mechanic, but it seems to me the converter is just a symptom of another problem, not the real cause. Thank god for the 100K mile warranty.

06-04-2007, 07:32 PM	#14 (permalink)
RPIpower Supporting Vendor Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 1,724 My Photos: (0)	I asked our main tech here and he thinks the cats could be failing due to misfires. I know a few people who have had CELs due to misfire. I got it a couple of times also. Maybe 10 years ago, wideband 02 controllers were VERY expensive. With new technology, etc. its failry inexpensive to have a good one installed. I use the AEM UEGO which is only a couple of hundred bucks on my car and customers cars. If you dont want to go that route, you can always go to a shop that has an eddy current dyno and have them monitor your afr under different loads. That should cost you about $100. __________________ Eloy "Brutus" #001 RPi 2.4GTS Race Precision, Inc. 7029 Marcelle Street Paramount, CA 90723 562-630-5966 www.raceprecision.com

07-04-2007, 12:53 AM	#15 (permalink)
lawdog6153 First 2000 Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 27 My Photos: (0)	just took mine in yeah the onstar guy can check it in just a few minutes, thas freaking awesome, i also have a laptop connected to the edu and a program got it from sears and it works great. well anyway i usually drivehard and fast around 80-90 mph on the highways, yesterday i was up around 80 and wanted to pass this car and all of a sudden knocking slightly and then the power went slowed to around 70 and tried to take it back up and nothing. took it in and they said it was the converter. i told them my car was backfiring a little in 2nd gear and they said it was running to lean, but i thought if its backfiring it means it running to rich.

07-04-2007, 08:28 AM	#16 (permalink)
SkyHi07 First 2000 Sr. Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Bloomington, Illinois Posts: 1,024 My Photos: (11)	Is this only happening on Red Lines? __________________ SKY 5/15/06 VIN 1971 "BlackSky" SKY RL 2/1/07 "Wheezie"

07-04-2007, 12:43 PM	#17 (permalink)
marlboromike First 2000 Sr. Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Marlboro, NJ Posts: 6,613 My Photos: (6)	Please post if R/L or CLASSIC

07-05-2007, 10:41 PM	#19 (permalink)
bradsky First 2000 Sr. Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Greensboro, NC Posts: 74 My Photos: (0)	N/A for Naturally Aspirated 2.4L or Classic or Base... ....any others? __________________ **Just loving the sister car. Solstice GXP in the garage.

07-06-2007, 02:01 PM	#20 (permalink)
MidniteBlues Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: South Florida Posts: 3,424 My Photos: (0)	It's not a classic, nor a base, it is a SKY!!! or 2.4L or NA, those I understand, that other crap is unknown to me-- __________________ *TODAY IS ANOTHER GOOD DAY, I WOKE UP ON THIS SIDE OF THE DIRT.*.

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode