So I brought my car to the dealership in hope of getting new engine. They put her through a ton of test but stopped when they got to my bad cat and said that Mazda won't declare the engine has failed with the bad cat, coils, wires and plugs.

I can't afford a cat from Mazda so I am looking for one. The dealership replaced all of my coils, plugs and wires for the time being and I have my girl back. The service person then informed me that my bad cat can destroy the new coils. Is this true?

I limped her from the dealership to work with no quick acceleration and never going above 4K rpm's. She's going to stay in my garage once I get her home tonight until I find a working cat. Just want to confirm what the dealership told me as far as coils and the cat itself.

 

yes. Bad CAT can destroy coils AND therefore, plugs as well.

 

Thanks for the quick response. I will limp her home tonight and not use her until I find a good cat.

I have another question now however. I might be borrowing a good cat. I will have to go back to the bad cat or an after market. If I go back to the bad cat, is there no way of maintaining good coils?

 

Don't even consider going back to a bad cat. There is nothing in it but coil/engine failure. You can always take a hammer and pipe to the innards of the stock cat and turn it into a midpipe. In other words find something else, or gut yours.

 

It won't be an immidiate cause of failure. But, your engine will be happier with a new cat. Just keep an eye on things, should you decide to go that route. (you will experience high gas mileage, lack of power and probable CEL's)

EDIT: +1 on Lord ET's response

 

Looks like I need to find a good used cat to keep or a new one. Thanks for the info fellas. I have more shopping to do. Might be rocking a midpipe soon.

 

Are you past the emissions warranty that covers the cat?

 

Yes, I am at 88K on the car.