Question about Recall - hard start - Catalytic conv
 

Okay so previous owner history shows the problem had "hard start" issues and replaced the starter....
our catalytic converter - in my opinion is going out, or will go out soon. Its rattleing, and when the car is jacked up, if you crawl under and tap on the pipe you can hear shit moving and rattling inside, although it only sounds like theres 1 piece in there.. You cant hear the rattleing unless your outside the car while its on, and it doesnt always rattle. also appears to be rust on the pipe.

Ive also read that Hard start issues cause the Catalytic conv to fail.
Should i call mazda to see if these are connected, maybe they will replace it?

just curious before i buy a new one lol

They probably won't replace the catalytic converter unless you get a MIL/CEL. There is a 8 yr/80,000 mile warranty on the cat. If the dealer takes the car in for service and the cat isn't bad, you will be charged the shops labor fee.
The reason they updated the starter was for hard starting and to help prevent/recover from engine flooding. The only correlation was that multiple flooding could cause the cat to go bad.

According to your prior posts, you are still within the federally mandated warranty on the cat. If you really think it is failing, take it to a dealer and discuss it with them. If they are at all reasonable, they will recognize that it is failing from that, or at least are willing to look at it.

When my cat failed, I pulled it off, saw that the first honeycomb had completely crumbled, and brought it to the dealer in my trunk (borrowed midpipe on), and showed it to them, and they ordered a new one on the spot.

Be careful how you approach it though, because the dealer can claim that you damaged it during removal. I'd suggest talking to them to see if they are open to that approach before you actually do it. Some dealers are complete assholes about it, others not so much.

So theres a 8yr warrenty on the cat? sweet didnt know that at all....its at 58k miles atm. or maybe just hit the 59 i think.
On the previous records i saw atleast 3 engine floods. thats not including who knows how many that werent recorded or gave to me...

Anyone suggest a good Mazda dealer in the Baltimore / DC area? lol Ourisman Mazda is closest

Go to www.mazdausa.com to locate your closest dealers.

1 flood can reduce the cat life quite drastically, I haven't really heard of one surviving multiple.


I'd check with the Maryland People thread for recommendations.

Lovely! ill call the local mazda dealership tomorrow and see what they say. They couldnt possibly say this cat is okay because there wouldnt be pieces poping around in it if it was "okay".
Last time i spoke to the dealership in florida they treated me like i knew nothing and dismissed me about the transmission. i hate that about being female

Yeah, rattlies definitely is a bad cat. I'd imagine any competent tech would see/hear that and get you a new one.