[Vwdiesel] Off diesel topic -possible converter clog symtoms

[Lee Hillsgrove, Sr.]

 I'd check a few things before condemning the converter.

 When it is acting up, have someone try to rev the engine up while you feel
the exhaust at the tailpipe. Is it just a feeble breeze and is what is
coming out hot enough to burn? If so, it may very well be the converter.

 If you can remove the intake duct, watch it while someone holds the
throttole down. if a large amount of fuel vapor comes out, it might be a
plugged converter.

 If you can get a vacuum gauge on the intake manifold, that's another way to
check. Low vacuum can indicate a restricted exhaust.

 My hunch is that it's fuel-related and not a plugged converter.

 Lee




 On Sun, Jul 5, 2009 at 12:45 PM, raymond greeley <rgreeley2 at hotmail.com>wrote:

>
> Hello all, I am fishing for some advice on a possible catalytic converter
> clog.
>
>
>
> the vehicle is a gmc safari w/4.3 vortec engine.
>
>
>
> it runs well most of the time though on a recent trip to colo. from chicago
>
> it began to loose power, in the heat of day and up hill. when this happens
>
> it will limp along at just above idle, never dies. If i let it cool some,
> say 30 min
>
> i can resume highway speeds though not aggressively passing or charging up
> hill
>
> avoiding downshifts using higher rpms and higher exhaust temps.
>
>
>
> these symptoms have also come on after short stints driving through a small
>
> town, with time in slow traffic occurs. when i attempt to leave town it
> will
>
> stumble, only working just above idle until i cool it down again.
>
>
>
> I changed out the fuel filter (black gunk out of tank side) and air filter
>
>
>
> I have owned this van for 8 months, through a cold chicago winter with out
> any
>
> problems. the previous owner said, he had changed the fuel pump.
>
>
>
> I had the check eng. code determined as a lean bank one, that is pre
> converter.
>
>
>
> Lots of thoughts from several click and clak referenced mechanics.
>
>
>
> I felt i would drill out the converter, install a temp muffler extension to
> suffer
>
> the converter particles as they pass through and just use it to determine
> if this
>
> helps.
>
>
>
> I did drive this vehicle home from denver (995 miles) nursed it at 65 mph
> with only one
>
> loss of power situation, which came after i passed through a small town
> during
>
> rush hour.
>
>
>
> Puzzled in chicago. ray
>
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