Whats going on here?

Question

Ok, so here is the deal:

-Glowing red catalytic converter
-Rattle/ticking noise
-engine running really rough (sounds like tractor)
-smells to be running EXCESSIVELY rich (smoke out the tailpipes)
-Pending CEL for too high voltage on Bank1 sensor 2 O2 sensor
-Extreme loss of power, engine sounds normal but not accelerating as fast as normal

From what I've read, this is either-

a) bad fuel injector
b) bad coil
c) bad cat

Anything else, and any way to narrow it down?

I'm leaning away from that only because (and sorry that I forgot to mention it) the car has had a hard time starting, and was stalling for awhile (also had some misfires). Seems to be a bad injector, or a coil (I have coil on plug though).

Its a 2003 Mazda 6 V6. So lets say I get the cat pulled, where do I look to fix so this doesn't happen again? Its a coil on plug system, so how do I tell if a coil is bad, or if the injector is bad?

The only reason the O2 sensor has to be throwing the pending (not lit) code, is because it senses the insane amount of fuel being burnt in my cat. I highly doubt the sensor itself is bad, but more likely telling my cat is shot. But I'm not sure, hence why I'm asking : )

Answer 1

i own a repair shop,and it has a bad converter on it,if you don't get it off here it may do some real damage to it ,and im talking engine damage ,i done an Oldsmobile that it melted the intake bolts to the head it got so hot,and caught the floor on fire on the car,and it got cherry red ,because i was watching it when it did this,but you definitely got a bad converter and you either need to get it off of there or replace it,it Willl make it blow a head gasket first thing ,and then it wil warp a head,and then it may lock up on you,i have seen all three of these conditions happen before,,good luck i hope this help,s.

Answer 2

I had the same problem with a 1985, 1 ton truck. I thought it was a fuel filter. I was on the highway and instead of going as fast as everyone else I was doing about 35 m.p.h. I stopped at a truck stop and had a mechanic look at it and my catalytic converter was glowing red. I was told that to fix it temporarily to punch a hole in it and get the material that was causing it to glow out. That did it. It sounded like I didn't have a muffler on the truck but I was able to drive at the same speed as everyone else and was able to get back home without any other problems.

Answer 3

Before you get too involved in replacing un-needed parts, think about this. The catalytic convertor is there to burn the excess hydrocarbons from your engine. If it is "red hot" it is working, it just has more work than it can handle. First find the source of the excess emmissions to the cat.

The O2 code would also indicate you have excess (unburned) emissions.

This all leads me to believe there is a fuel pressure problem. The pressure regulator may be bad and the engine is getting more fuel than it can burn. Pull a plug or two and see if they are balck and sooty, or even damp.

Here are the steps to perform the pressure test'

FUEL LINE PRESSURE INSPECTION

WARNING: Fuel line spills and leakage are dangerous. Fuel can ignite and cause serious injuries or death. Fuel can also irritate skin and eyes. To prevent this, always complete the "BEFORE REPAIR PROCEDURE". (See BEFORE REPAIR PROCEDURE.)



Disconnect the negative battery cable.







Remove the fuel line schrader valve cap located under the throttle body.







Make sure the lever of SST is turned fully clockwise, then connect SST (Fuel pressure gauge) to the schrader valve.
Connect the negative battery cable.
Verify that the shift lever is in N position for ATX vehicles, or neutral position for MTX vehicles.
Start the engine and idle it. Measure the fuel line pressure.
If not as specified, inspect the following:
Zero or low

FP circuit
FP
Fuel line (clogging)
Fuel leakage inside pressure regulator
High


Pressure regulator
Fuel line pressure: 430 - 510 kPa {4.4 - 5.2 kgf/sq.cm, 63 - 73 psi}



Observe the fuel pressure gauge indicator during heavy acceleration.
Verify that the fuel pressure fluctuation is within the specification during the test.
If not as specified, inspect the following:
PCM
FP
Pulsation damper
Fuel line for improper routing, kinks or leakage
Fuel pressure fluctuation: 420 - 510 kPa {4.3 - 5.2 kgf/sq.cm, 61 - 73 psi}



Turn the ignition switch to the LOCK position.
Measure the fuel hold pressure after 5 min.
If not as specified, inspect the following:
FP hold pressure
Fuel injector for leakage
Fuel line for improper routing, kinks or leakage
Fuel hold pressure: More than 250 kPa {2.5 kgf/sq.cm, 36 psi}



Disconnect the SST and connect the fuel pipe. (See FUEL INJECTOR REMOVAL/INSTALLATION)
Complete the "AFTER

Answer 4

Answer 'C' sounds pretty close to what you describe. It sounds like the exhaust is plugged. That would probably explain your pending DTC for your bank 1 downstream catalyst monitor. It sounds like your catalytic convertor has come apart inside, causing a restriction, and the symptoms you describe. Now the more challenging question, what is the ROOT cause? Could be a bad injector, MAF, or coil.

Answer 5

What kind of car is this, it sounds like a bad Catalytic converter that will also muk up the o2 sensors. I am sure there is a check engine light on get it scanned.

Answer 6

Catalytic converter is stopped up. They always have run VERY hot and manufactors used to warn people NOT to stop in grass where the grass would be touching the converter. It would and DID start fires and has been known to do a lot of damage.

In your case I believe it is a bad converter. I just helped a young man out where his engine wasn't running very well and very little exhaust was coming out of the tail pipe. The catalytic converter was stopped up. IF you have a VERY rich mixture coming out of the tail pipe, the gas may be burning inside the converter. I would have it towed to a repair place and let them remove the converter. Its against the law to just take it off without replacing it with another one.....but.....lots of people replace it with a straight piece of pipe.........for testing. Good luck. Pops

Answer 7

Aah the a , glowing RED cat would be the first clue and keep a fire extinguisher handy . cut the cat out , put a piece of strait pipe in there till you get a chance to get it to the shop to have a new one put on.

Answer 8

Your cat is just trying to do it's job. It's glowing because it's trying to oxidize all that unburnt fuel. It sounds like you have extremely leaky injectors.

Answer 9

probably a bad oxygen sensor causing rich condition resulting in extra unburned fuel to cat... now cooked cat too.

Answer 10

dissconnect your catalytic converter, it is probably plugged up. when you dissconnect it start it and see if your problem is gone. the insides melt together with carbon in exhaust.it is not a good thing to continue running the car with it plugged up, replace it.