xphillipjrx

I took my car to AMS a month ago. They gave me new plugs and I was going to get a reflash. They couldn't tune the car because they said my cat isn't flowing properly and I need a new exhaust. I didn't have $1000 so I figured I would just live with less power until I get the dough.

I was driving on the highway and the car died. I was doing a good speed, then I could barely do 80, then 70, then 60 when I pulled off. Pulled into a gas station and the very front of the engine was orange glowing hot. I found this image while I was searching for something else. The part that was orange was beneath the heat shield.



I told the tow truck guy what happened and he immediately said it was the cat. The car would not start when he first got to me. Towed me 100 miles. About 2 hours later it started. He put his hand on the head cover and he felt ticking.

Other than the new exhaust ($1000 at AMS) what else could be wrong? I did not lose any fluids and my engine temp never went up despite the exhaust manifold glowing like that. I heard other things from the peanut gallery like bent valve or thrown rod. I realize the easiest thing is to just take it to AMS and let them tell me, but I need to figure out how much it's gonna cost. I only take a car to the shop when I have the dough to pay for it. I'd rather save my money until I have enough to pay for repairs rather than take it in and then say, "Oh I have to bring it back when I have the dough".

109000 miles 2003 Evo 8. Cone air filter and no mods. Thanks for your help!

RoadSpike

iTrader: (5)

Usually a glowing to hell exhaust manifold does indicate blockage but it could be from you flooring it too. The semi circle shield btw is called a heat shield.

Best thing to do right now is to pull the cat off the exhaust, while cold of course, and see if you have an issue. If not its better to have someone look at the car you trust see if there is some other mechanical explanation.

xphillipjrx

Yeah, the tow truck guy said it probably would still run had I been doing 70mph

BBS

iTrader: (18)

If you've never replaced your exhaust in 109k miles then its about time to get it replaced. You could try to just replace the cat but its most likely going to be rusted on like hell. Whoever installs your exhaust is going to tell you that some studs and flanges may break off due to old age. Either way, start your research for exhaust parts. Don't even think about doing a diy on an exhaust that old!

mx4life85

iTrader: (38)

I'm still trying to figure out why you posted a picture of a toy evo's engine.

TSiAWD666

iTrader: (5)

I've had a cat begin to fail like you described, but in my case the car remained driveable. About a week later the car choked, stumbled, and then after a loud explosive sound (a big "boom") the car returned to normal. I found out afterwards the cat was empty heh. Seems the contents blew out.

derekste

iTrader: (9)

You need a new catalytic converter or a new complete exhaust system (with or without cat).

What other advice do you need? If you didn't want to do the AMS thing, you could just buy a high-flow (or OE) cat and have any old exhaust shop install it for you.

I had the same thing happen to a Buick I owned... car started acting funny and before I knew it, 25mph was my top speed.

travman

iTrader: (26)

BBS

iTrader: (18)

ROFL. I didn't even notice.

gottf257

iTrader: (3)

lol first thing i thought was "why is there a toy in his story..."

revvin9k

iTrader: (23)

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