Re: catalyic

Posted by Hal/WA on June 09, 2006 at 23:37:01 from (66.45.175.118):

In Reply to: catalyic posted by Joe Roche on June 08, 2006 at 21:07:10:

It depends on what vehicle and how sophisticated the computer system is. If the computerized fuel injection system detects the lack of back pressure from the hollowed out converter, it might put you in the very rich "limp home" mode, which might make your mileage worse.

However, you already might be in a "check engine" mode because of the really restricted converter. Removing the restriction might make the engine run better and easier and your fuel economy might get much better than it is now. But I doubt that it would ever pass the sniffer in an emissions test, if you have to put up with that.

A number of years ago, I had a Mazda GLC that generally got real good mileage and had adequate power. Then I decided to go to Montana with the car and found that it would hardly climb the steep parts of Lookout Pass. I turned around and wondered if it would make it home. On the way, it actually blew off a hose to the air cleaner that is supposed to supply extra air to the catalytic converter. It also got horrible mileage on the trip home. I dug into it a few days later and ended up taking off the converter. It was really plugged--water wouldn't even go through it. So I punched out the ceramic inside with a crow bar and after it was emptied out, put it back on the car. The little Mazda ran great for several more years, until my son crunched it. It actually got better mileage with the converter can emptied than it ever had, and had over 120K at that time. Where I live, so far we don't have to go through emissions inspection. But I am almost sure the car would not have passed.

I thought about replacing the catlytic converter to stay in compliance with the law, but found that wrecking yards are not allowed to sell used ones and Mazda wanted about $500 for a new one to fit that car. I checked with a couple of muffler shops and they also wanted about $500 for a new converter and adapting it to fit.... It just didn't seem worth it on a car that was worth maybe $1000, so I just continued to run the car like it was. I have read that I could have been fined big time if somehow I had been caught.

If you empty the converter can, will you get better mileage? Probably, unless it is a very late model. All the vehicles I have been around with plugged or nearly plugged converters ran real lousy. Could emptying the converter can get you in trouble? Maybe, but you probably would never get caught unless you have mandatory inspection that uses a exhaust gas analyzer. If your vehicle uses an Oxygen sensor, and the one you have has been in there a long time, in my experience, changing that usually helps the gas mileage a bunch. Good luck!

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