Random pictures that you did not take.

[HO455]

My buddy sent me this photo he took with his new borescope. I thought it was really cool. Sort of like something you would see on the NASA web site.

[Steeveedee]

Originally Posted by HO455

My buddy sent me this photo he took with his new borescope. I thought it was really cool. Sort of like something you would see on the NASA web site.

Ehh, what IS that?

[HO455]

Whoops! The photo is of the inside of a catalytic convertor. The honeycomb platinum material appears to have failed and there are two balls of it bouncing around inside. The honeycomb in the back looks to be clogged with pieces that came off the balls. The car has no power. It idles and runs ok but will only do about 40 mph. We pretty sure it is due to a plugged exhaust at this point having seen this.

[Boog]

I've posed the question before how long a cat is good for and it remains unanswered. I could see the pellet type cats maybe wearing out. My 91 truck has the original exhaust system on it other than the muffler. 33 years old now.
I have no idea if it's done anymore but I remember folks running a long drill bit or something up in the cats to break up the catalysts to open up the flow while maintaining the stock appearance outside. Today's honeycomb style cats might be difficult to do the same with?
An exhaust shop can insert a pressure sensor in the upstream o2 hole to measure the back pressure to help determine if there is a blockage down stream.

[HO455]

I'm no expert but I will share what I know.

If your getting the rotten egg smell out the exhaust that in a good indicator of a cat that is no longer working properly. Most newer cars will give you a code if it isn't working correctly. Hence the upper and lower O2 sensors.

The best test to see if it is working is an emissions test.

You can test to see if it is plugged yourself. Just drill a 1/8 inch hole between the engine and the cat and hook a 0 to 20 PSI pressure guage up to the hole. If it reads above 3 PSI the exhaust is clogged. You will need to rev the engine up to be sure it is not clogged.

If you get a high reading then drill a 2nd hole after the cat and test again. If the cat is clogged you will get a lower PSI. If the PSI doesn't drop then the plugged area is farther down the exhaust pipe.

After testing you can plug the hole(s) with a self-tapping sheet metal screw, tap the hole for a machine screw, or do a plug weld. If you weld it shut make sure your ground lead is attached to a clean area near the hole your welding closed.