Date:         Tue, 14 Oct 2008 09:06:46 -0400
Reply-To:     Jim Johnston <inmytree1@GMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Jim Johnston <inmytree1@GMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Running without a cat...?
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Hello all,

Vehicle:  91 GL with 163,000+, manual
Location: Wilmington, NC

I'm trouble shooting a stumbling idle.  I think I've found my problem. I
noticed the exhaust puffing and the muffler had some odd sounds coming from
the muffler itself.  So I pulled the cat and muffler.  I only snapped two of
the three bolts.  It turns out, my catalytic converter has nothing  left.
It's completely empty.  The previous owner had a S & S Exhaust system put on
a few months before my taking ownership 3+ years ago.  The cat has big dents
in it.  My theory is this: when the shop put on the new Header and Muffler,
they cleaned out the Catalytic Converter.  In NC, vehicles older than 1996
do not require emissions testing.

I started her up, while a bit loud, no more puff puff puff....

Would running with an hollowed out cat lead to the muffler breaking down?

Now I have to figure out if I have to buy a muffler from S & S or does a
stock muffler bolt up to the system.


Jim
Wilmington, NC