Running too RICH caused Cat to block up???

[JasonYC530tsi]

Since 10-20 my car has been in 3 shops and all of them say that my exhaust is clogged and the motor is running extremely rich. They seem to think it was running rich and melted the front of the cat so no exhaust is comeing out. The only thing i can think of that may of caused that was that same day i put on a profec b boost controller and i cut the fuel pressure line and added that 3 way fitting to attach the hose to the boost controller? also i put in lucas injector cleaner if that matters. Well anyway would me installing that electronic boost controller cause it to run rich and melt the cat? im just trying to find out how to fix my car cause none of the shops cant? so does anyone know where i cant start from if that is the problem with my car? if anyone has any questions or advice please feel free, it would really help. Thanks..............................Jason

 

[Quasimondo]

How much boost were you running? Have you done any fuel upgrades?

 

[JasonYC530tsi]

No i have not done any fuel upgrades and i dont really know how much boost i was running, it might of been 16 or 17. Someone at the mitsubishi dealership said it might be the mass airflow sensor. But mine looks in pretty good condition and i dont think it would cause all that, but i dont know im kind of a newb, Jason

 

[awdtalontsi1992]

The MAF can look perfectly new and still be bad. Do you have any CELs? If your car was running rich enough to destroy the cat. then it would probably throw a CEL. I would replace the cat. and carefully watch it with the motor running.....if it starts glowing red shut it off.

 

[Quasimondo]

High exhaust temperatures are usually an indication of running lean, not rich. If you are running rich, you're more likely to clog the catalytic converter from excessive carbon deposits than melt it.

One thing to check is your ignition timing. If it is pulled too far(as in being set closer to TDC or more), that will raise your exhaust temperatures, no matter what your air/fuel ratio is. The VFAQ should have instructions on how to properly set your ignition timing.

BTW, have they shown you the catalytic converter, or are they just guessing that's the source of your clogged exhaust?

 

[kh730]

umm not to change the subject but I have been running a walbro in my 1g with no FPR cause I am saving for a good one and this post has me panicking now. I didnt think anything would happen just crappier gas mileage nad spark plugs going bad quiker. Should I be worried or do you have to run REALLY rich to mess something up?

 

[andymoraitis]

If you're running on a stock fuel setup with a 190, the overrun is minor (I measure a 1 psi difference between the stock and aftermarket AFPR). Keep in mind though that the ECU runs at a target A/F of 9.5:1 which is to keep the motor safe. If you don't have something to take fuel away, that's be best case scenario in terms of A/F ratio.

I'm with Armando. I'd want to see the cat to verify it for myself. If you can hold it up to the light and not see through it, it's trash. Oh and turn the boost down on a stock fuel setup. Unless you have a logger and can verify knock readings, you're tempting fate by running that much, even on a 190 pump. I'd also take a look at your base timing as recommended since that can cause plenty of other downstream issues if it's overly advanced or retarded.

Cheers,

Andy

 

[JasonYC530tsi]

Sorry I have not replied to anyone I have been out of town. Thanks for the replies. But anyway im going to pick my car up tomorrow and take the cat out and look at everything my self. So if the car was running rich the cat would have oil, composites, etc. in there which would be causeing it to clog up??? All i know is when you start the car and rev it up a little bit it smells like fuel and it smokes from the o2 houseing and the downpipe. So what can be the cause of it running rich if thats the scenario. The only thing i did 2 hours before it messed up was installed a electronic boost controller. To install i cut the fuel regulater hose thats at the end of the fuel rail and put on the 3 way fitting that came with the boost controller. Now the dealership says its the MAS thats causeing all this. So when i get my car tomorrow can i test the MAS or anything to see if its bad? Jason

 

[BISHILVR]

Find out what your fuel pressure is.

 

[redeclipse7782]

I would say drop the cat and put a test pipe in, but you live in Cali eeeeek sorry about that

 

[JasonYC530tsi]

i dropped the cat and it was good, mas is good too! im giveing up on this car, ive had people look at it and of course no luck. FOR SALE $2000!!!!!!! : ( Sure its a minor problem but no one can figure out what it is. I am sick of driveing a piece of crap truck. I'll sell this dsm and start with a a different one.