RIWWP

iTrader: (2)

Yes, you do need to keep the cat in mind if you run one. And yes, 40k is quite a bit of time on a damaged engine. One of the things I like about the rotary

I may have eventually lost compression anyway, but there was a clear line for me pointing at the cat failure that I can't ignore.

1.3_LittersOfFurry

iTrader: (4)

So glad my cat is gone.
This was a good read.
Thanks

Bladecutter

Yes, but isn't it the failure of the plugs/wires/coils that does in the cat in the first place, with rare exceptions, like being a full on track junky?

So, coils killed cat/O2 sensor, cat/O2 sensor killed compression, compression loss caused drive-ability issues.

BC.

RIWWP

iTrader: (2)

Yup, entirely agree with that. I had coil failure that I hadn't detected that killed the cat.

With a cat on, the penalty for missing that is too severe for me to agree to. Cat comes off and the penalty is lessened dramatically. Still something to stay on top of, but I'd prefer to avoid the added risk...

maxchao

iTrader: (2)

You had a coil failure but no CEL? I am scared of things like this...I know CEL is annoying but without them I would be scared to drive everyday.

And as of now the only way to run cat-free without CEL is still through AP?

RIWWP

iTrader: (2)

Yup. No CEL with cat failure, no CEL with O2 failure, no CEL with coil failure. It took 2 months of no cat at all to get the CEL for low cat efficiency. And yes, my CEL light works I could trigger it on the 2nd drive cycle after disconnecting the air pump.


Can't trust CELs, since the more appropriate term is Check Emissions Light. Nearly every CEL is emissions related. Very little to do with parts failure and engine damage. And even then something could fail without the ECU figuring it out. Call my ECU a dull knife in the knife drawer?

maxchao

iTrader: (2)

OK that is officially scary...but yea I agree. Not too long ago were I finally read an article talking about CEL and yea it was designed for emission reason. It might be 'duh' but I bet a lot people are like me thinking it's a warning system designed for the consumer..

I guess the only way to find out all these failures then is just by feel then...like acceleration feel hesitation etc. Or better just keep up with maintenance and hope for the best..

RIWWP

iTrader: (2)

Hope won't get you far. Needs attention. Not just throwing parts at it, but listening to it, feeling it, at idle, under power, etc... The car is talking to you constantly, and you have to listen. There are warning signs for every failure we have.

Mazurfer

^.................Yep, try to stay in tune with your car.
Unfortunately sometimes that makes you say "WTF was that?" at the slightest feel or noticement of something..........but a lot of times it's real and just ignoring it can be very bad!

RIWWP

iTrader: (2)

Having the tires pick up anything plastic, metal, or stone on the road and flinging it against the wheel well liner always gives me a heart attack and lots of concerned testing and listening and feeling

Mazurfer

^.................I hate when that happens!

maxchao

iTrader: (2)

Almost like dating a girl...but ok thanks for the tip!

Yea I hate that too. The stuffs hitting wheel well is especially loud in this car and my Protege5. I wonder why...I don't think it's as loud when I sit in other people's car.