TVIROCZ

iTrader: (1)

I noticed today that my exhaust smelled. I thought a plastic bag was caught to it or something. Anyway the cat was glowing red. My brother pulled off the hose connected to the smog pump through firewall and there was no suction. Is my cat turning red bc the smog is not working correctly? Its a TPI. Want to fix this right away. I am afraid of a fire.

Tuned Performance

iTrader: (92)

The air pump hose doesn't have suction, I'm not sure what a plugged cat or your engine running rich has to do with your fear of fire.

TVIROCZ

iTrader: (1)

If the cat is glowing red is it possible to cause a fire. That cat is new and I don't drive the car much.

Tuned Performance

iTrader: (92)

http://lmgtfy.com/?q=What+causes+a+cat+to+glow+red

Zane M

iTrader: (1)

TVIROCZ

iTrader: (1)

The line connected to tbe diverter valve has no suction. I was told it close and its not letting cool air to the cat. Behind the cat is turning red.

Tuned Performance

iTrader: (92)

Huh

TVIROCZ

iTrader: (1)

This is what i was told so don't shoot the messenger

# 1 is the hose that has no suction. #2 is the diverter valve in which the hose is attached that keeps the diverter "opened" to blow cool air into the cat.

Tuned Performance

iTrader: (92)

You have a circle around the heater coolant control valve. The diverter valves are to the left under a plastic cover. IIRC the air pumps inlet is on the pump itself the diverters have ha vent to atmosphere. When commanded on the air is injected into the exhaust stream for two purposes. one to help cool down the cat and two reduce the emissions of the hot exhaust gasses in the exhaust manifold. If its glowing like your saying the air pump IS NOT YOUR PROBLEM. In fact you don't even need it on your car for the cat to work . Read about the probable causes of a glowing cat. Why was it just replace plugged. Sounds like you had this rich or lean condition before that killed the cat. Messenger ? Not your car ? You came here for advice and have the advice of someone else and don't like it ? Take the advice for what is is. Its free

Formula 305

Why was the cat replaced in the first place?

TVIROCZ

iTrader: (1)

My cat was replaced bc I got a new exhaust, it's a magnaflow high performance. The other cat was old and gutted. I had this cat on for about 2 years now and I don't drive much. My camaro is a weekend, when it's nice and when I have the time car.

Formula 305

You could pull the O2 sensor and measure backpressure, that will tell you if its clogged or not.

Either something is clogged up or your dumping lots of unburnt fuel into the cat

TVIROCZ

iTrader: (1)

I am going to get a test done on Saturday. Thanks for the advice. I am trying to gather all the advice I can to fix this.

82tarecaro

iTrader: (4)

Your car is running pig rich. You didn't notice it before because you had a gutted cat. It could be a number of things but I will throw a few possible causes out there for you to contemplate. An injector is hung open and dumping too much fuel. Your coolant temp sensor is shot. You have a bad MAF. If you don't know how to diagnose the problem then take it to someone that does. BTW - that cat is probably junk now. Plan on replacing it or removing it altogether.

TVIROCZ

iTrader: (1)

My coolant temp was changed. I really hope the cat is fine. If I have to get another cat I will be pissed.

TVIROCZ

iTrader: (1)

Also I only noticed this twice and both times I only ran the car for a few minutes. Every other time I never had this problem so I hope it didn't do too much damage. Could it be damage if I only ran it for a few minutes?

ASE doc

If viewed in the dark, any functioning cat will glow red. They normally run at upwards of 700 degrees. If the catalyst strata hasn't fractured, the cat should be fine.

Any unburned fuel will overheat the cat. Misfire or rich condition either one. The AIR system heats up the cat by injecting fresh air(oxygen) into the heated catalyst to accelerate the catalyzation of CO and HC. Tuned performance is right that the pump draws air from right behind the pulley.

TVIROCZ

iTrader: (1)

This whole thing is becoming a cluster. Its most likely that the cat is clogged. Right now it may be clogged so we will pull the cat next week. The car is running fine. Idle was good as well.

TVIROCZ

iTrader: (1)

Also it smells bad when its burning, that's how I find out it was bad.

ASE doc

If the cat was clogged, the car would not run well. If the cat is completely plugged, the car wouldn't even start. The engine is producing excessive hydrocarbons or carbon monoxide emissions. Need to figure out why. If the engine has been modified or the ECM re-tuned, that is likely the cause. I would suggest a 5 gas analyzer test to measure HC and CO output.

Chevy2035

There is no such thing has a "high flow" or "Performance" Cat.... they may say that but the truth is that they are exactly the same as normal cat with bigger inlet / outlet and it dont change anything at all

Its an emissions thing, The catalyst in your converter works better hot, But they should never heat up red hot, Even dark. That is what causes your honeycombs to break up and clog up the back ones or your muffler. Fuel is what causes them to heat up red hot.

If this was my car, This is how I would go about the process of figuring out exactly what is causing it.


1: What spark plugs are you running? Try a hotter spark plug, Once you start building a motor up the OEM plugs do not run hot enough to fire all of the Air/Fuel mixture, That unburned fuel coats the Catalyst and ignites ruining your converters (the glowing red effect) Take out a plug from each side, Look at the plug and see how its burning the fuel, Rich Lean, Is there oil or antifreeze burning? You can tell all this by spark plugs. Look it up for pictures and examples of the difference.

#2: Cut the converter off, See how its running for a while (New set of plugs if they where not burning right, Don't put a new cat on until you fix your issue or you will ruin it too, Straight pipe or leave it how it is without cat)

What you find with them two tells you the direction to head in next

With everything described so far, I believe its an Intake gasket leak, Fits everything. Coats your spark plugs, Causes them to fire weak, in return, You have gas + antifreeze going into your cat, Coating the catalyst and burning. Causing the horrible smell.

TVIROCZ

iTrader: (1)

Still haven't fixed this problem bc this winter is terrible. My iroc has been sitting. The weather seems to be getting better so hopefully I can check it soon. Had my bro look over the car and like you guys are saying its probably running rich. When the weather is better we are going to pull the cat and see what it looks like inside. Also he noticed when. I put my headlights on my fuel pump goes on lol. He is good with wiring so one day he said he will go over the cars wiring and check for other problems.

DAVECS1

iTrader: (2)

What is your initial timing set at? Is the the rest of the motor stock?

TIMMYS89GTA

iTrader: (28)

I would guess it is running too lean instead of rich..lean condition means too much oxygen that can fuel the red hot pipes you are dealing with..if it were running rich you would be dumping too much fuel and not enough oxygen..if there's not enough oxygen there is no way your exhaust could get hot enough to glow like that..double check your initial timing and make sure distributor is in right and get back to us..

els-

The aftermarket/magnaflow/chinese cats dont last at all when you run them rich. The previous owner of my last trans am had a new 3 inch exhaust put on with a new cat and within two months it was done. Also running no emissions equipment on it.

TVIROCZ

iTrader: (1)

Stock motor. Just have a MSD distributor. Not sure about the timing

TVIROCZ

iTrader: (1)

Removed the cat today and it was not clogged and it was fine. Still chasing this problem. Going to check the timing next. Have to take steps at a time bc I am so busy.