Catalytic Converter
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JashAttack
- Newbie
- Posts: 3
- Joined: Mon Jan 12, 2015 10:21 am
Catalytic Converter
How can you tell if your cat is plugged? When you push hard on the accelerator does it make a muffled noise almost as if there is a hole in your exhaust?
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Mickey_D
- Top Notch Member
- Posts: 309
- Joined: Mon Feb 13, 2006 6:40 am
- Location: Salt Lake City, Utah
A quick and dirty shade-tree method is the "thunk test".
Roll the car up on ramps and climb under there. Curl your hand in a fist and hit the catalytic converter with the meaty part of your fist that makes up the pinky knuckle.
If your cat makes a hollow "thock" sound much like thumping a fender or your hood, it's good. If it makes a solid "thud" like you just hit a frame rail or something else rather solid, it's a good bet it's time to change it.
For comparison, give the muffler a thump. The cat shouldn't sound much different. Unless your muffler was like mine and rattled due to all the loose rust in it....
Roll the car up on ramps and climb under there. Curl your hand in a fist and hit the catalytic converter with the meaty part of your fist that makes up the pinky knuckle.
If your cat makes a hollow "thock" sound much like thumping a fender or your hood, it's good. If it makes a solid "thud" like you just hit a frame rail or something else rather solid, it's a good bet it's time to change it.
For comparison, give the muffler a thump. The cat shouldn't sound much different. Unless your muffler was like mine and rattled due to all the loose rust in it....
1986 Tercel Wagon 4X4 SR5 (sold to splatterdog).
A bullet may have your name on it, but shrapnel is addressed, "To whom it may concern"!!
A bullet may have your name on it, but shrapnel is addressed, "To whom it may concern"!!
