Glowing Red Catalytic Converter

[Black Sun 5.0]

Quick rundown of my story: I did a 2 hour round trip on Christmas Eve and the car was running great. When I got to my final destination, I had to unload some packages and the car ended up idling for about 20-25 minutes. When I got back out to my car, it was filled with smoke. I immediately killed the ignition and found that the catalytic converter on the passenger side of the car was glowing (and burning the carpet inside the car). I've been daring and have been driving the car and have had no problems. It seems only at idle there's a problem. The car has a brand new catted Magnaflow x-pipe and there appears to be no blackage issues in the pipe. Any ideas? I'm thinking maybe a bad injector, but I'd to hear some more input. Thanks.

 

[795.0pacecar]

Bad air pump?

 

[Black Sun 5.0]

New air pump. Plus, only 1 cat was affected.

 

[alanw6]

Could be a possible defect/clogged cat. Even though it's new, I'm thinking this could be your issue.

 

[Axemanj3]

what does magnaflow have to say??? most cats have their own warranty...

 

[Black Sun 5.0]

There appears to be no pressure loss from the passenger side tailpipe.

 

[Black Sun 5.0]

Oh yeah, rotten egg smell from the exhaust.

 

[alanw6]

Your description still seems to point towards a bad convertor. Wish I was more knowledgable, but that's still my guess.

I agree with axeman, at least give MF a call.

 

[SKYWALKR]

If its not the converter it could be your timing. One of my buddies Grand Am did the exact same thing, glowing red converter... i know its not the same car but the principle is the same. I believe his timing was off causing denotation... bad cap ultimately. Just a thought if the cat comes up a wash.

Luke

Cracked distributor... just checked with him.

 

[green]

nope your cats are plugged

 

[crunchie12268]

yeah, give MF a call, something smells like it is burning in my house.

 

[Black Sun 5.0]

I called MF and the tech said he never heard of such a condition. He assumes it has to do with a lean or rich condition. Hrm.

 

[50 4 Fun]

If the cat is not bad, then you need to look beoned the cat. I think you have a misfire problem or something like that.

 

[Black Sun 5.0]

I have heard some popping in the exhaust at times. Now, what is causing the misfire?

 

[GNN60GT500]

Hey, you are either experiencing a rich running condition or a lean misfire, either way excess fuel is getting into the converter, the igniting in the converter causing it to superheat......

hope that helps-
Magnaflow

 

[JB66]

The cats get into that condition trying to do their job. The more unburned HC and CO poured in there, the harder they have to work. Yours was working overtime. If you have no codes, make sure your idle is not too low, your timing is set properly and all the other things that will make you run too rich. Partially open EGR and stuck diverter valve on the air pump are some other poss.

 

[Black Sun 5.0]

The idle has been a bit off. It doesn't have the traditional engine surge. Instead, it will jump up to 1,500 rpm or higher and sit there, then settle down after a while to about 7-800 RPM's for a bit, then back. I just dunno.

 

[87'GTstang]

If nothing else turns up, check for a fuel injector on the way out. That could explain possibly why it would be running so rich. I on the first round would blame the catalytic converter on that side. If nothing else, you can at least narrow it down to which bank of the engine it is on.

 

[4dStang]

Take the pipe off, get another H-pipe from some where, I always have an extra for smog. It is either rich (doubt), a burnt valve (doubt) or a partialy clogged cat (ding ding). The answer you got from the company was BS! If you smell rotten eggs, that is a clogged cat, or at least a partially clogged cat. For sure!!!! these pipes are made in China and suck. I have been to GM school and the rotten egg smell is exactly what they taught us to look for on a clogged cat. Plus, your popping may be because of the extra back pressure.

Just get that pipe off and put another one on before you car burns up. If that cat is glowing it will catch you carpet and carpet pad on fire. BAD!!!!!

 

[Black Sun 5.0]

Yeah, I understand the idea behind it being a clogged cat, but the fact that when I drive it's fine and only happens during idle is kind of odd, don't you think?