March 2, 200620 yr Question: Something under the front of my 90 Loyale is buzzing-rattling like crazy at certain RPM ranges. 2k-2500 rpm or so, gets real loud then dissipates by 3k-3500. Same on decel. I got up under there and cannot find any obviously loose heat shielding. Sounds like a POS going up my street. Moms are taking their kids inside. Well, maybe not that bad, but... Are the cats known to fail? I have had numerous high mileage VWs with ne'er a cat issue. The Soob has 125k. Recommended source for replacement as a unit ( header pipes through cat assy )? Assuming there is something wrong. Test? Thanks Matt
March 2, 200620 yr To test it, just tap the exhaust with a rubber mallet, or have a friend rev the engine while you are underneath the car. Easiest, cheapest replacements will be at the junkyard, but you might be able to find a new part from a dealership. Depending on your local emission laws, and your environ-mental-ness, lot of people have passed emissions with their cat completely gutted.
March 2, 200620 yr Author Depending on your local emission laws, and your environ-mental-ness, lot of people have passed emissions with their cat completely gutted. Thought about that. I assume one would cut a hole, gut it, weld plate back in?
March 2, 200620 yr The easiest way is to take it off the car, use a long bar to break up the matrix (it's ceramic) and shake it out. Replace and fire up.
March 3, 200620 yr Replacement is expensive. If you need a Cat, then the best bet is to gut the one in the y-pipe, and add one in place of the "resonator" that is in the straight pipe right behind the y-pipe. You can get aftermarket Cat's on ebay for pretty cheap to use for this. You'll have to find someone to weld it in for you, as most muffler shops in areas that test will not modify a stock setup like that for you. Out in the country where there is no testing you may find someone. Really, you just have to cut the resonator out, and weld the cat in place - not hard at all. As to gutting the stock cat - remove the heat sheild on it, and cut (angle grinder - blue wrench won't work as they are SS) a big flap the size of a slice of bread out, and bend it back to expose the innards. Crush with a screwdriver and hammer and pour into the garbage. Weld it up, and put the heat sheild back in place and you'll never be able to tell it was done. GD
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