Water coming from my cats?

[sunil6784]

My cats make noise (I think) when they are warmed up. Also, the last few days, I've noticed a slight "hissing" noise like when drops of water drop on something real hot. There is also a pool of water under them after running the car, and it drips at a pretty good rate. My car, in my opinion, has felt a little sluggish lately. Could this be a sign of my cats going bad ?

 

[Black Sun 5.0]

Water is a by-product of the combustion process from what I know. This is normal.

 

[srothfuss]

Correct.

The primary function of the catalyist is to reduce harmful emmisions that are a by product of the combustion process. (Duh) One of the bennifits of the Catalyitic converters is H20 production from all of the unbrunt gas and exhaust emissions...

Most of the time people never notice the water spewing out of the tail pipes because you don't see the car accelerating away from a standstill. In your case, if you have a crack or hole, the water is simply falling to the ground instead of pooling at the bottom of the muffler.

I can't really help with the replacement question. The only time a cat needs replacement is when it becomes all plugged up.

 

[sunil6784]

Since there's water under the cats, rather then the tailpipes, could it be possible that the cats are clogged and any H20 production could be dripping under the cats instead of making its way back to the tailpipes?

 

[srothfuss]

How is the car running these days?

Plugged cats typically mean that your car will run like total @$$. They might just have a broken spot weld (on the seam) or a serious crack in them, which would allow most of the water to leak out.

A good way to look for leaks: On a cool (or cold) morning, start the car. All of the hot exhaust gases will make condinsate "puffs" and you can really see where the leaks are.

 

[sunil6784]

I feel like the car has lost some power. I dumped the codes and found none. I checked the welds on the cats - they are still intact. I read HIssin's post about hooking up a vaccuum gauge and holding the engine at 3000 rpms. If the vacuum gauge drops, it typically points to a exhaust restriction. I'll be doing that in the next few weeks when I get some time.

I just didnt know if the excess water was a sign of something.

 

[Strype]

My cats make noise (I think) when they are warmed up.

Sometimes cats like to run and play. this is completely normal.

Also, the last few days, I've noticed a slight "hissing" noise like when drops of water drop on something real hot.

When you give them a bath use mildly warm water.

There is also a pool of water under them after running the car, and it drips at a pretty good rate.

Dunno about the car, but those pools of water are COMPLETELY normal. Get a "litter box" and some "kitty litter" to go inside it

My car, in my opinion, has felt a little sluggish lately. Could this be a sign of my cats going bad ?

You got me there. Please post pictures of said cat. Dunno what that has to do with your car but stranger things have happened I guess

 

[HISSIN50]

Interesting. Have you been running the AC? The hiss can also be a byproduct of the AC (condensation hitting the exhaust).

If you think your cat is broken, it could be that a hole rusted into it, hence moisture coming out. As noted, some water can be normal from condensation after the previous drive.

Dont let that cat go if it's making noise - if it indeed clogs (crapshoot as to whether the substrate broke or a tack weld came loose), that's not good and you'll find out quickly.

Good luck.

 

[sunil6784]

I found out that its not coming from the cats directly, its dripping from above the "pre" cats onto the cats, and then some is making its way onto the floor. It seems to be coming from a little rubber plug in the firewall, below the heater hoses. Lemme see if i can find a pic...

 

[sunil6784]

I'll get pics tomorrow and find out more info...I need to look at it more closely...

Appreciate the help so far...

 

[Daggar]

That little rubber plug in the firewall is the aforementioned a/c condensation drain. Water will come form there if you're running the A/C or defroster.

 

[sunil6784]

Hmmm......... i think the defroster was on come to think of it. Can that get clogged and cause a lot of water dripping ?

 

[HISSIN50]

I'd guess it's been humid in your parts.

Pretty normal in my opinion.

Daggar might have posted pics of it previously (maybe search so you could confirm that we're talkin bapples to bapples).

Good luck.