Gutted cat or test pipe = car runs hot?

[bhop]

My cat was clogged up recently so as a temporary measure, until I can get paid and get a hi-flow, I gutted it. It helped my gas mileage and I can feel a little power boost, which is nice, but now my car is starting to run hot. The guage isn't moving, but I keep smelling coolant when I get out after a drive. This morning I checked out the overflow container and it was low. FYI, my thermostat was recently replaced and the radiator flushed.

This all seemed to start after the gutted cat (just a few days ago), so i'm curious if it's possibly related? Can having no cat affect the temp of the engine?

 

[ddavisaf]

http://www.vfaq.com/mods/O2bypass.html You'll want to do this.

It shouldn't affect your temp. Replace the radiator cap. Are you leaking coolant anywhere and are you smoking at all?

 

[bhop]

My Cel hasn't come on and from everything i've read on the boards, the 2nd cel doesn't affect air/fuel ratio. In a couple weeks, when I get paid, i'll be installing a hi-flow cat, so keeping the 2nd O2 in is preferrable. The car's not smoking.

As far as the radiator cap, I changed it the same time I changed the thermostat. I haven't seen any coolant leaks.

 

[ddavisaf]

Is your fan coming on when the car warms up?

 

[SpoolinV8ETR]

are you SURE is smells like coolant? gutting the cat would make you smell unburnt fuel easier. Seein how they run rich from the get go mabey your just mistaken unburnt fuel for coolant??



Just a idea, not tryin to step on your toes or anything

 

[bhop]

are you SURE is smells like coolant? gutting the cat would make you smell unburnt fuel easier. Seein how they run rich from the get go mabey your just mistaken unburnt fuel for coolant??



Just a idea, not tryin to step on your toes or anything

Yeah, i'm sure. How could anybody get exhaust fumes and antifreeze smell mixed up? Besides the fact that the smells come from completely different ends of the car.. heh, heh..

Is your fan coming on when the car warms up?

Yes. I think that's what's keeping it from full-on overheating.

Another question. Would an old dirty air filter (replacement's in the mail) make the engine work harder enough to heat up?

 

[ddavisaf]

No, you should get bad gas milage, but you shouldn't overheat...

I sent you a PM with a copy and paste from the vfaq. There's a ton of info on possible solutions to your problem. Read through that to see if any of it will help you out. If it doesn't post back and we'll try a different direction. Hope that helps ya

 

[bhop]

Problem solved.

After I got off work, I checked it out and turns out there's a very small hole in my upper radiator hose. It's so small that barely anything comes out, but big enough to cause the smell. I'm just glad I noticed it before it completely blew.