what Causes Cataylic problems?

Question

Hey thanks for the advice on the previos question I went to a midas and I got my impala checked out they said there was a misfire in the number 5 solenoid and I explained how it was looseing power and lagging. They checked out my catalyic converter and said it is going out.My question is what could cause it to go out, I am not able to replace it til monday and will get a second opinion but I don't want to replace the catalyic convertor and have it go out again in a few months. what other components and sensors should I get checked out before I decide to replace the converotor what sensors could be going out and/or what parts might need to get looked at. Anyadvice will help I am going to go back to midas on monday to get it looked at again and I will need to know exactly what I need to get checked out. Thanks again you guys really helped with the last question I had.

Answer 1

using not a high enough octane will hurt it and if you get too much ethanol in it

Answer 2

Your misfire caused unburned fuel to enter the exhaust stream, thus filling your Cat with raw fuel. When the fuel reaches the hot Cat, it will ignite, thus burning up the pellets or honeycomb matrix, thus plugging it up.

Answer 3

the answers i am seeing are good..with a random misfire you are looking at a tuneup. dont forget though that the O2 sensor pays a major role in fuel regulating..change the sensor along with the cat..and dont forget the tuneup!!!!

Answer 4

raw fuel kills the convertor. your misfire puts raw fuel into the convertor and presto, sorry, but this is why maintenance is so important because you let one thing go it kills others

Answer 5

bad gas,,age will cause a converter to go bad,there are a lot of things that could cause it to go bad,,no one knows really for sure,,some go bad even on new cars,,defects ca cause one to go bad,,hope this help,s...i mechanic for a living.

Answer 6

overheating