Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums General Troubleshooting Catalytic Convertor.What happens when it breaks?

My 1996 2.5 Mondeo with 82,000 miles has begun to pink at about 4,000rpm at full throttle and the sound of rushing air comes from the engine area. It drives ok at slow speed and doesn't stall Although it has no power and feels rough and won't rev anywhere above 5,000. It's like driving into treacle. The baffles within the Cat have been rattling for about 1 year .My mechanic examined the car and said the cat readings were ok but the lambda readings were erratic.So he wants me to change it .
Anyone know if the Cat would produce these symptoms?
And no I haven't put diesel in it .

I had a similar problem with my 95 Contour SE 2.5, the main cat was plugged and aparently Te air found another way out of the system. Anyway, same problems, no power. Couldn't get out of it's own way most of the time...

Just my two pennies.

Jim

My 98 SVT did this and the mechanic said it would cost me 900 for a new cat so i thought since PA doesn't have any current emissions laws i would just clean it out. it has ran fine since.I also had a loss of power in the high end. I called ford and they said there was a recall or something but since I had already punched it out they wouldn't cover it.