Would a blown CAT cause my car to blow smoke, or could I be in for bigger problems? 95 355b with 55000kms and a daily driver. Maybe I over filled the oil, I just don't know. Help please.
Definitely. It's the ceramic turning to powder. My cats have totally broken down and i've got tonnes of smoke (powder) coming out at full throttle. Are your exhaust tips covered in a grey powder? If yes, then it's the cats.
Blue smoke is oil. White is water. If you are getting lots of white then it is probably because it is colder out or damp. The cats by product is water. Check the oil level. The problem is that if it isn't the cat being clogged the blue smoke from burning oil will foul your cat. If you cat gets clogged you will usually notice performance lost and when it gets bad it will choke the engine out. If you want to test it correctly get an exhaust back pressure tester and hook it up. Just remove an 02 sensor and hook it up. Anything over 2 psi means the exhaust has a restriction.
Well, you could start by checking your oil. Warm the car to operating temp, shut off the engine, and quickly check the oil level...it should be between the min and max marks. Dave
This reminds me about the CHP cars. They often let their cars idle for long periods of time, i.e. when they're setting in a construction zone, or at a crime scene. After awhile they'll start burbbling form the water that's formed inside the exhaust system. When they take off they often leave a couple of cups of water on the pavement where their exhaust pipe were. It's jsut funny, that's all. Bob Wassam
Hi all, it is cold out, and the smoke is grey to white in colour. The oil level is good thanks. Perhaps the cats or water vapour, just haven't noticed it before.
Hi Tony, yes there is a fine grey powder in the exhaust tips. Just went and checked, can wipe off with my finger.
Then I'm 99% sure it's the CATs. Mine's going into IMS tomorrow to have the cats replaced with hyperflow jobbies. Today, I was chucking out a gallon of white smoke/powder when the car was cold. got a horrible rattling too with the brick banging around in the right cat.
I think I might be heading to IMSS tomorrow as well, may see you there. Here's a couple of pics I took just now. Thanks for the info! Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
It's toast. You don't really want to drive it. If the header creates negative pressure, you can suck the ceramic back into the engine. Bad stuff happens then. Get it towed.
Wow really! thanks Eric I owe you a couple of beers. May have to park it up for a couple of weeks whilst I get a new pair from the States. How long did yours take to get here Tony?
troy of hyperflow gets them out to hk in 2 business days.... i did'nt realize the cats could get sucked back into the engine... damn...
No, I rang them, Ben said they were to busy this week and to come on Monday. They don't have any Cats in stock anyway. So could be a couple of weeks. Gives me time to decide what to do.
But they DO have the CATs in stock. He just can't fit you in so makes you wait. My advice, wait for the results from my car, and if all OK, order the hyperflows.
Just put the cover on it for a couple of weeks. I'll wait to see how you go when you get your car back. Regards.
