Plugged Cat

[ASchwartz]

I believe my catalytic converter is plugged. Besides removing it from the truck altogether (I live in CA where this is illegal), is there a way of cleaning it out?



Thanks in advance.

 

[BFaoro]

Die

Yes take the sick little kitty offf and then... . put a stake thru its little heart !! Drive the stake with a 4 pound sledge and don't stop till all of her guts fall out !

 

[pcorssmit]

BFaoro, did you go this route or get rid of it completely?



Pete

 

[BFaoro]

Die

I knocked the stuffing out of it then reinstalled it I have a torch and welder so no matter what it was coming off to be gutted. The whole thing was plugged solid and I did that at about 29,000 miles I would do it again no matter what . I am fixing to do my father in-laws 97 3500 4X4 ccrew cab next

 

[Dennis Garrett]

Before you start trying to bead the media out with a pipe & hammer, go to the hardware store, & buy a cheap wood borer. Get one of the cheap, 1" paddle type with a long shank for about $8. 00. You can drill through it from both directions & from every angle, and get most of it out that way. It drills out very easily, but you'll beat on it all day if that's your method of removal. The rest does have to be pounded out with a bar or pipe, because it's cemented to the housing all the way around. This is the hardest part to completely remove. I thought mine was plugged too after about 125k, but I don't think it actually was. It doesn't run any better after being nuetered, and it's a little noisier at idle now, you can hear a little turbo whistle at the tailpipe that wasn't there before.

 

[1tuffram]

I'm not sure what the "guts" are made of, but I think I remember reading the catalytic material is carcinagenic. Meaning if you breath-in that stuff you could be exposing yourself to agents that can cause cancer. Maybe a good respirator mask should be added to the list of tools to do this job. Also once the cat is gutted does the material need special handling/disposal (hazardous waste)???



Just want members to keep their own health in mind when allowing the mighty Cummins to breath easier.