Hi, my coolant tank cracked when I checked the coolant level before a 200 mile journey. Unfortunately I didn't realise at the time and started driving. It wasn't until I got to my destination and stopped moving that I could smell the coolant that had overflowed. I never saw the temperature gauge move from the centre.

Now I've replaced the expansion tank and had to replace the radiator as well, but the car is very low on power. It struggles to accelerate past about 85mph. The engine runs very smoothly, it starts and idles fine both from hot and cold. The CEL light is not on.

I am going to get a compression test, but is there anything else that could cause similar symptoms that I can check as well? I have an OBD scanner if that might help with diagnosis. The car is a 2005 6 speed manual.

Thanks,
Chris.

 

Have your catalytic converter checked ... may be clogged... don't drive it like that will hurt the engine. If ur car starts fast hot and cold and idles smoothly u have likely no compression issue ...

Just look into ur cat ... the honeycomb in it should look like this -->




not like this -->





Greetings
Thomas

 

I've taken the cat off and something doesn't look right. It obviously needs a new cat, but would the damage that has occurred possibly cause the massive reduction in power? Obviously I don't want to spend a large amount of money on a new cat to find it's still broken.

Maybe the only way to find out is to try it...

The photo has been uploaded sideways. That honeycomb stuff is actually sitting at the bottom.

 

yeah, um, that qualifies as plugged... notice home many little holes you cannot see down into.

 

Don't put that back on and run the car, or you will be looking for a new engine in pretty short order, if you have not already caused serious damage. You can buy a cheap mid pipe, or I think BHR sells a decent one for a reasonable price. Or of course, the dealer.

 

Thanks for the help! I've changed the cat and the car runs great again. It feels a bit faster than it did before the problems started, so I think the cat might have been slightly clogged before.

Thanks,
Chris

 

If u ever experience that again ... gut the clogged cat out and buy a new one ... never drive with a clogged one.

Greetings
Thomas

Edit: And check your Coils, Plugs, Wires ... because failing Ignition leads to unburnt fuel in the cat ... which destroys the cat rela quick.