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Will the catalytic converter cause the engine to run hot?

Old 07-22-2001, 10:06 PM
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Will the catalytic converter cause the engine to run hot?

My CC has been rattling inside for a couple of years now and here lately I have been having trouble with the engine running warmer than normal, apprx 230*, standing still or cruising down the highway. I thought that I heard somewhere that they could get plugged up and cause the engine to run hot, anybody got any ideas about this?
thanks, Jim

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Old 07-22-2001, 10:23 PM
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this could possibly cause the car to heat up, although 230 isn't really a danger zone. But if this is a major change from what it's been running at, then I would check a couple of things.
1.make sure the cooling fan is coming on, and at the proper temperature(around 220 degrees)-ignore if you don't have an electric fan
2. check to make sure your thermostat is not stuck shut
3. make sure that you have changed your coolant within 50,000 miles
4. check to see if your water pump is leaking or siezing
Old 07-22-2001, 10:43 PM
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Yeah, if your cat is plugged it could be causing increased back-pressure which would cause your engine to hold more heat.

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Old 07-23-2001, 12:01 AM
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Transmission: TH350
Dont know about anyone else, but my car gets cooler going down the highway. Check to see if your front air dam is intact and not damaged. I believe our cars get 80% of cooling air, if you will, from under the car. Hopefully that helps. Also check other things already stated.
Old 07-23-2001, 01:08 AM
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If your cat was clogged you'd hear it. It would most likely make a whistle sound. That's the exhaust escaping from the cat and the y pipe connection.

Check to see if your air dam is still there, and consider getting a 160 or 180 thermostat. With a 160, install a switch to kick on the fan whenever you want.

But with the highway temps not going down, it sounds to me the airdam is your most likely suspect. 230 is high, mine runs best in the 180 range. 220 is the most I'll ever let mine get.

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