Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums General Troubleshooting Going crazy. Maybe its plugged cats

Hi everyone,

I've posted before about intermittent powerloss thats has gotten worse and wrrse until now, I have no power even though I feel my secondaries opening.

I've changed plugs, wires, fuel filter, O2 sensors (ones up top). I've cleaned the K&N filter, reset computer...fuel injector/intake flush. I've manually taken the upper and lower and cleaned it...nothing...new gaskets on the intake. No go.

The only thing that makes me think its the cats now is that there is a hissing sound even at part throttle. I've checked all hoses and no leaks. I've also noticed that even though the engine will rev to 7K, it does so much slower and the engine sounds strained and louder.

Today I was noticing that my K&N filter in the stock air box was louder than I used to remember. Actually it was very quite compared to my old KKM. I took out the KKM and installed it instead. OMG the car was so freaking loud that I cant even begin to tell you. When the 2ndaries would open, it sounded 3x louder than what I remember the KKM to sound like - yet the car still pulls slow and I can still hear a whooshing kind of noise.

Oh I've also cleaned the EGR passages and the IAC controller. Only thing I have not done is buy a new IAC and buy a new sensor..that thing behind the intake with the two small hoses..looks like a black plastic thing hanging off the back with a round cap on top. I dont know..goes to the EGR from the looks of it. ANyway that thing.

I know for a fact secondaries are opening everytime so thats not a problem. In fact at the begining I replaced the IMRC module but no change. I've got a spare I guess.

Anyway anyone have clogged cats and if so, does all this sound familiar and how can I tell if its the top ones or the one under the car. No CEL lights or anything.


I appreciate any suggestions. I'm getting frustrated

Yes a few years ago i had similar problems. I think we counted 16 secounds 0-60.LOL After our cat got replaced it made a incredible differnce!!

I am having this problem right now as well.

I know it is my cats for the simple reason that I get that rotten egg smell all the time, sluggish acceleration, and when I am on the interstate at 1 and 2 in the morning, I sometimes let her rip to clean out the engine and get her up to about 120. It takes so long that I feel as if the car isn't an SVT anymore. I could easily go past 120 when I first got her. Now, it takes a long time and it will never go past that mark. My engine is at a steady 5K RPM level and even at WOT, the car just doesn't go anymore. So I am going to get my cats cut out and a straight pipe welded in.

Just letting you know that I can relate. Get those cats removed or replaced.


-Bishop

Ok so its not just me I'm going to look into this. If its my pre-cats, then I'm going to just gut them out and while I'm at it, I will replace the center cat with a high flow unit as well. If its just the center one, then I will leave the precats in and go high flow on the center.

I'll let you guys know by early next week....first chance to do something about it

PS. I know how you feel about the car not being an SVT anymore

I had a short run-in with a 2.0L Jetta with no mods...heck it was like a 1993 or so..squarish looking. Not even a 16v engine. He walked me on the highway. Did I mention he had 2 passengers!

Sigh...I hope to god the car will be like how it was.