if my catalytic converter is red hot could my exhaust manifold be to blame?

Question

my exhaust is not a constint it is more like a p p p p p p p p p, i am loosing horse power, and my exhaust has a funny smell to it

Answer 1

The funny smell will be unburned gas, or a combination of unburned gas and sulfuric acid from a cat converter that is working much harder than it ought to. If it is still working -- the cores in these things can melt.

Unburned gas, not the exhaust manifold, is the bad guy. Have you gone past the recommended interval on your O2 sensors?

The odd sound is a clue -- odd exhaust sound plus hot converter most likely equals one or more cylinders not firing. That would reduce your power, too, although a melted converter core can also do it by restricting exhaust. Non-firing cylinders pump unburned gas out the exhaust, where it heats up the cat converter. Enough unburned gas for enough time can also trash O2 sensors. If the O2 sensors are still in the game, very likely the computer is leaning the mix as much as it can -- this can also reduce power. Some cars default to a 'limp home' mode with such things going on -- top rpm is limited, that sort of thing.

Check your plugs -- a plug that hasn't been firing will be 'wet'. From there, it becomes an ignition problem. Get your converter checked asap -- you won't be passing smog tests without it.

If your 'check engine' light has been on for a while, this is why.

I hope this helps.

Answer 2

Does the exhaust smell like rotten eggs? That would be your catalytic converter. May be plugged, have it checked or replace it. Definitely sounds like the cat conv.

Answer 3

you catalytic converter is either plugged, or the muffler is plugged. time to replace the cat.

Answer 4

It's the converter itself.It's plugged up.You need to replace it. Also be aware that it can catch on fire,which is what happened to my car.

Answer 5

Your catalytic converter is clogged !

Answer 6

you need a new cat.,because if its red hot is because its plugged up.

Answer 7

take it to a muffler shop

Answer 8

convertor is done - replace