Catalytic converter alarm...
06-18-2012, 11:58 PM
#1
Instructor
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Calgary, AB
Posts: 140
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Catalytic converter alarm...
1992 ROW GTS ex-Japan, 62,500 km automatic, stock mechanical;
Installed Constantine's excellent TT kit and Superclamp (thank you Constantine), tightened everything up again (thanks Dwayne!) bled and purged the PSD (thanks Theo!), Corrected the ride height back to stock and got a very nice four-wheel alignment and balance. Carefully adjusted transmission fluid level, installed a new CD in the player and went out to add some CO2 to the local environment; NOTE: the air pump belt was removed when I got the car, I have not yet reinstalled it, figuring out my ProVent installation...
(Keeping in mind the probability that this unit rarely if ever was driven very hard in Japan) on the first long pull at 5000 RPM in 4th, the catalytic converter overtemperature alarm lit up. I backed out of the throttle a bit, the alarm cleared immediately, and lit up again on the next hard pull (after 2 or 3 km at 5000 RPM).
Cruised for 20 min. at 2500 RPM, then tried again at 5000, but no catalytic converter alarm before I ran out of safe road.
Question given that these converters are relative antiques, do they foul? Can I expect much improvement by gutting them (Brad in McM please weigh in)? I don't want to change much of the GTS originality (ProVent and sensible mechanical bits, such as modern catalytic converters excepted), so I am seeking advice from the group;
all replies appreciated!
Best/Tim
Installed Constantine's excellent TT kit and Superclamp (thank you Constantine), tightened everything up again (thanks Dwayne!) bled and purged the PSD (thanks Theo!), Corrected the ride height back to stock and got a very nice four-wheel alignment and balance. Carefully adjusted transmission fluid level, installed a new CD in the player and went out to add some CO2 to the local environment; NOTE: the air pump belt was removed when I got the car, I have not yet reinstalled it, figuring out my ProVent installation...
(Keeping in mind the probability that this unit rarely if ever was driven very hard in Japan) on the first long pull at 5000 RPM in 4th, the catalytic converter overtemperature alarm lit up. I backed out of the throttle a bit, the alarm cleared immediately, and lit up again on the next hard pull (after 2 or 3 km at 5000 RPM).
Cruised for 20 min. at 2500 RPM, then tried again at 5000, but no catalytic converter alarm before I ran out of safe road.
Question given that these converters are relative antiques, do they foul? Can I expect much improvement by gutting them (Brad in McM please weigh in)? I don't want to change much of the GTS originality (ProVent and sensible mechanical bits, such as modern catalytic converters excepted), so I am seeking advice from the group;
all replies appreciated!
Best/Tim
06-19-2012, 04:26 AM
#2
Three Wheelin'
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: SF Bay Area
Posts: 1,526
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The engine is running too rich. A cat over heating is a result of too much fuel being dumped on the cat. Measure the engine before the cat and see what the HC looks like. I am betting the HC is high. Maybe a one of the injectors is dumping a little fuel. An engine will run rich without too many consequences. However a Cat will work very hard to pull down the HC by digesting the raw gas.
There are tubes before each cat to measure the engine output. For grins I would check the output of the O2 senor. It should cycle from half a volt to almost a volt.
Good luck
There are tubes before each cat to measure the engine output. For grins I would check the output of the O2 senor. It should cycle from half a volt to almost a volt.
Good luck
