| Author |
Message |
Manu (Manu)
Member
Username: Manu
Post Number: 607
Registered: 2-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, January 09, 2003 - 9:58 am: | |
Guys - binning the Cats on a F355 is just about the best thing you can do - replacing them is pointless.
The problem lies with the fact that the cat has to store heat in order to work - MASSIVE HEAT... Now there is an inherent design flaw in the F355 because of this requirement... The cats superheat the manifolds and I've seen these things melt and fuse, and crack..... they're put too close to the engine which is done to retain enough exhaust energy to keep their temperatures up...
CATS on the 348/355 SUCK..... whether they are new or not. |
Warren L. (Warren)
Junior Member
Username: Warren
Post Number: 139
Registered: 2-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, January 09, 2003 - 9:36 am: | |
thanks for all the tips guys |
DMC (Machinnes)
New member
Username: Machinnes
Post Number: 27
Registered: 10-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, January 08, 2003 - 5:21 pm: | |
You still might want to think about saving your Cats and install the test pipes. This will cut down on these costly heating problems of the 355. |
Debbie (Dilly)
Junior Member
Username: Dilly
Post Number: 102
Registered: 9-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, January 08, 2003 - 3:43 pm: | |
Warren, we had the cat replaced on our 97 355 in October. |
JRV (Jrvall)
Member
Username: Jrvall
Post Number: 525
Registered: 11-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, January 08, 2003 - 3:20 pm: | |
There is a 'VERY SIMPLE' test to check for 'plugged' cats.
It's a very simple, inexpensive 'Back Pressure" Tester. Screws in to O2 sensor hole before the cat and gives exhaust system back pressure readings, simply check side against side. There are also O2 sensor Testing tools...availible to anyone with the foresight & jing to buy them.
This stuff doesn't have to be guess work anymore..it's now the 21st century, it's ok to buy & use all the many varieties of test equipment availible..
|
arthur chambers (Art355)
Member
Username: Art355
Post Number: 861
Registered: 6-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, January 08, 2003 - 12:41 pm: | |
Warren:
I'd take it to the deal to see if the CAT is plugged. If it is, then you run the risk of destroying your manifolds. They are costly, I just got mine replaced and they are expensive, and are not under warranty, although the CATS are.
Art |
Tom Antal (Intenso)
Junior Member
Username: Intenso
Post Number: 89
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, January 08, 2003 - 10:55 am: | |
Warren. The right Cat on my 95- 355 was just replaced last week under warranty. Tom |
DMC (Machinnes)
New member
Username: Machinnes
Post Number: 26
Registered: 10-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, January 08, 2003 - 10:13 am: | |
You may be stuck taking it to the dealer. You should'nt have a problem getting it changed under warr. if that is the problem. As Rob stated, the only way to check the cat is to take it off and look into it. If the cat is plugged I would'nt drive the car much more due major heat concerns. |
Rob Schermerhorn (Rexrcr)
Junior Member
Username: Rexrcr
Post Number: 80
Registered: 11-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, January 07, 2003 - 10:53 pm: | |
Warren,
The Ferrari test computer (SD1) does not simply have an error code stating "bad catalyst, right bank". It will give an O2 sensor error. Then one looks at the sinusoidal output of the sensors, follows up with gas analyzer testing, and perhaps even a visual, as it's relatively easy to inspect/remove the cat.
False codes have been known to happen, especially on '96, as this is the first year for OBD II. There were as many as three different versions of the computer prom that year, depending on model, just to fix false codes. Only an authorized dealer will have information whether your car requires reprograming or not.
It is more likely that if it is a real error, it is O2 sensor rather than catalyst. A huge problem for O2 sensor failure is the frequent start/stop just to move a car out of the way. Run for two minutes, shut off, and the sensor begins to foul quickly.
Any dealer will not be reluctant to replace components under waranty, they're reimbursed by FNA. |
Warren L. (Warren)
Junior Member
Username: Warren
Post Number: 138
Registered: 2-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, January 07, 2003 - 9:47 pm: | |
Just a follow up to my cat problem. To recap: the check engine light on my 355 went on. I took it to my mechanic who checked it on his F- computer and he said the computer said that my right cat needed to be replaced. I then thought I had two options, 1) buy a new cat and replace the old one 2) get straight line pipes. BUT then some of you smart fellas told me that it was under warranty so I called a F-dealership. They checked the vin and said yes it is under warranty, but there are a lot of things that can make the check engine light go on, the 02 sensors for instance. I told him that my mechanic checked that and that the computer told him that it was the right cat. HE said if that is the case then yes it is under warranty but of course i will have to pay for the labor to check the F- and diagnose it with that problem. Well, as my mechanic was doing the test the light went off, he told me not to bring it in to the F- dealership until the light goes on again or else they wont know what is wrong with it. AS soon as it goes on again, I will bring it in to the authorized F dealer and have them look at it. I will keep everyone posted.
Anyone ever have a similar problem? OR better yet, anyone get their cat replaced under warranty, I get the feeling that the F- dealer will be VERY reluctant to do this under warranty |