Yesterday my CEL lights up. Today went to the dealership and after reading the code they told me that my CAT needs to be replaced. Fortunately I am still under the 80000 miles warranty; hence my repair cost is 0$. That of course makes me happy but I am wondering why the CAT was destroyed.

My rx8 is an 04 model, manual transmission with 46000 miles. I've done all maintenance at the dealership, oil and filter change every 3000 miles, let the car warm up before driving it, always put 93 octane gas. In general I have taken care of the car really good and I do not understand why this happened. I've never changed a CAT on my previous cars so it is kind of strange that I had to change the CAT at 46000 miles on my rx8. Anyone with similar eperience?

 

There are plenty of people who have had this happen. My guess is they underestimated how hot the rotary gets.

I didn't have this problem, I had to get rid of mine cause I'm allergic.

 

Yes this issue has been sence day one with the 8. Let the dealer replace it. Then if I where you get a race pipe lol unless your a tree hugger lol

 

its happening because ... it will happen to every car out there.

the material inside Catalyst converter will eventually *worn* out and needs a replacement, its just that the "ultra hot" Rotary engine exhaust gas "speed" this process up.

I liked the Thermal reactor idea better, at least no bullshit 1K+ Cat cost, but price is ultra bulky and lots of heat under your butt.

 

did you buy it new? if not someone flooded it before..

it happens.. and that is what kills the cat..

if you got it new. well stuff happens.. it is rare..

beers

 

note to you..

you are giving advice in lots of areas that you dont have a clue in, or on.

yes. i have seen lots of stupid stuff you are posting here..

just a hint.

and if you want to jump on me. hop on. it is so easy to say what you are going to do.. fail.

beers

 

I have less than 50,000 mi on my car and, so far, I have had 3 cats replaced because they were plugged. Recently, I have had a CEL that comes and goes(haven't got the code read yet). The exhaust note has changed and got louder. I think I have one that is burned out.

Swoope, how is the special cat doing?

 

This one??

 

Race pipes FTW!!!!!!! The cats are restrictive and plug up neways might as well make more power and sound.

 

18k miles,

two track weekends. ~ 4.5 hrs of track time. a huge one coming up next week.. my guess is i am going to get at least 3 hrs on track in one day..

from the rear when it was out, looked like new.. from the front with a bore scope. did not look new, but looked damn good!

outside the box, and taking a chance so far is going well.

beers

 

so i guess i got the wrong cat?...

lol

btw i will have the exoticspeed cat on monday. not sure if i should install it or not but ill get some good pics of it. Its 200cel

 

really they did say it was a 200 cell count?

it looks really like something i have seen before!

yes, get lots of photos.. i thought we talked about this in atlanta? btw, you photo is kinda funny. had a cat that looked just like that die a couple of weeks ago. what are the odds. great cat!

thread hijack over.

beers

 

I am the second owner and just went through the service records the other guy gave me. It seems that he has changed ignition, cord set., and sparks plugs twice. So I assume that he flooded the car before and this is what caused a CAT failure.

Got the car back yesterday from the dealer. New CAT, covered by warranty, no CEL and the car works fine.

I noticed though a smell like something is burning. Is this smell because of the new CAT or the dealership messed it up?

 

glad you got it worked out..

and the smell is likely the cat, or grease from the hands that installed it..

beers

 

i've been getting almost like a rattling sound coming from the catalytic converter but no cel have showed up. any ideas on what it could be?