Cat Converter Making Noise (Video)

[oneslowwdsm]

After about a thousand miles on the hard motor mount install I hear this noise coming from underneath the car. Thinking it might just be the heatshield, I lift the car and look around everything seems tight and then I hit the cat converter with my hand and hear this terrible rattle. Sounds like something is broken inside. You can only hear it at idle around 1000 Rpms. Will this effect anything if I drive it and what could I do (if anything) to fix it other than cut it out and weld a straight pipe in? This is a full 3 inch Megan exhaust that is at least 5 years old.

Quick video:

You must be logged in to view this image or video.

 

[Dsmkauai]

The Honeycomb or catalyst material inside is most likely broken up. Time to replace or straight pipe, just depends on where you live. You can get in trouble not having one, that's if someone inspects the vehicle.

 

[Mello]

Cheap cat. Ceramic honeycomb is shot. Basically the cat is no longer doing it's thing. Still good for visual though.

 

[zedicus]

the cat has a mesh that will collect anything that finds its way into the exhaust. i found an impeller from a long ago replaced turbo still rattling around in my cat. i have found pieces of piston rings, valves, etc. most people pull and change the head but never bother to remove stuff from the cat so its just there forever.

also it could be just that the mesh screen its self has broken loose from the can housing and is rattling around in there.

its fairly easy to unbolt the cat and see for yourself whats rattling inside of it though.

 

[oneslowwdsm]

the cat has a mesh that will collect anything that finds its way into the exhaust. i found an impeller from a long ago replaced turbo still rattling around in my cat. i have found pieces of piston rings, valves, etc. most people pull and change the head but never bother to remove stuff from the cat so its just there forever.

also it could be just that the mesh screen its self has broken loose from the can housing and is rattling around in there.

its fairly easy to unbolt the cat and see for yourself whats rattling inside of it though.

Well the cat is welded into the exhaust and I don't think I can take the cat apart without cutting it. I only need the cat to get the CEL off for secondary o2 once inspection time rolls around. I was thinking of buying a catless thermal r&d exhaust and when I have to do the inspection I'll just bolt the megan up.

 

[PlanZero]

Use a $5 o2 sensor spacer. It prevents a CEL from the downstream 02 sensor.

 

[oneslowwdsm]

Use a $5 o2 sensor spacer. It prevents a CEL from the downstream 02 sensor.

Link? It would prevent the CEL even if I don't have a cat?

 

[PlanZero]

Sorry no link off hand. Got mine off eBay for $5 shipped. Just search "02 spacer". It screws on to the sensor, then screws into the pipe. It pushes the sensor back so it reads a different temperature I guess. I put one on my 2ga when I eliminated my cat about 1k ago and haven't got a cel.

 

[PlanZero]

Also, the 96-99 turbo talons are on the epa list of problem vehicles for emissions. This means that even though all I/m sensors may read not ready, it will still pass emissions as long as your state's software is updated. Here in PA, my 96 passed but my 97 did not because the computer hasn't been updated for 10 years.

 

[oneslowwdsm]

I found this: http://www.extremepsi.com/store/product.php?productid=24142&cat=1381&page=1

Here in TX, they don't actually do any smog testing. All they do is check monitors to be ready and no CELs.

 

[PlanZero]

Yeah that's it, although mine doesn't have those fancy "jets". I guess that's why it was only 5 bucks! It works fine.