What causes cats to clog?
04-11-2004 | 09:38 PM
#1
Thread Starter
Registered User
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 356
From: Clinton Twp, MI
What causes cats to clog?
I think my cats are clogged. I've been getting a faint smell of rotten eggs lately from my exhaust. Also, I've noticed it doesn't pull as hard as it used to. My car is a 01 z28 a4. It only has 36k miles on it and I always run premium gas. What actually causes them to clog? Also, what makes the smell? I guess I can just remove them or gut them untill I get my lt's. I'm guessing clogged cats reduce gas milleage. In MI they don't do emissions so it wouldn't hurt anything. But would it throw a code? A lot of questions, I know, but thanks for any info.
04-12-2004 | 05:07 PM
#5
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Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 588
From: Indiana
If you only have 36,000 miles on your car, then the cats are under warranty as an emissions device. Cats can get clogged by excessive heat melting the brick face in places, destroying the cells. Running lean could conceivably do damage, but standard PCM programs have tables built in to add fuel in certain high-heat WOT conditions that should keep the heat from getting that severe.
Removing the cats will cause the PCM to throw a code.
Not positive, but there may be a TSB related to the sulfur smell you're experiencing.
Removing the cats will cause the PCM to throw a code.
Not positive, but there may be a TSB related to the sulfur smell you're experiencing.
04-12-2004 | 06:30 PM
#8
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Registered User
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 356
From: Clinton Twp, MI
Originally posted by nateh
If you only have 36,000 miles on your car, then the cats are under warranty as an emissions device. Cats can get clogged by excessive heat melting the brick face in places, destroying the cells. Running lean could conceivably do damage, but standard PCM programs have tables built in to add fuel in certain high-heat WOT conditions that should keep the heat from getting that severe.
Removing the cats will cause the PCM to throw a code.
Not positive, but there may be a TSB related to the sulfur smell you're experiencing.
If you only have 36,000 miles on your car, then the cats are under warranty as an emissions device. Cats can get clogged by excessive heat melting the brick face in places, destroying the cells. Running lean could conceivably do damage, but standard PCM programs have tables built in to add fuel in certain high-heat WOT conditions that should keep the heat from getting that severe.
Removing the cats will cause the PCM to throw a code.
Not positive, but there may be a TSB related to the sulfur smell you're experiencing.
04-12-2004 | 06:33 PM
#9
Registered User
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 318
From: bluffton south carolina
my cat clogged we believe anyway ....my brother punched it out and my car has been better but not her self since .....i think my opti might be failing....my car has 73000 miles on it and is 9 year old
08-05-2024 | 07:20 AM
#11
Registered User
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 588
From: Indiana
Re: What causes cats to clog?
How’s your oil consumption? Oil burned in combustion creates ash in the exhaust stream and it can plug the front face of the catalyst. High consumption will also over time damage the catalyst function from phosphorus poisoning. The plugging can be reversed by simply using water to clean the front face. It’s best done rinsing with the assembly off the car and with sensors removed. . Make sure it’s completely dry before running with the sensors installed or you’ll crack them.
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