I'm trying to remove my catalytic convertor to see if it's bad on my V-10. I've disconnected the convertor from the head pipe and it's holding onto the exhaust pipe. The clamp that held the convertor to the exhaust pipe kinda crimped the outside pipe tight onto the convertor pipe and I am unable to separate them. I don't want to cut it out or damage either pipes. Any thoughts on how to pull this sucker out??


Thanks


Z

 

Try to pull the O2 sensor ahead of the converter. It should allow enough pressure out to tell the difference. You can also listen and feel the exhaust at idle. I had my wife's C as t plug up on her car last April it got so bad we couldn't get the the Appalachian mountains to get home. I pulled over and piped out the sensor. It was loud but we could safely do highway stopped and got home without incident. The local dealer replaced both under warranty.

 

Good advice Ken, I would suggest the same. Rusted exhaust pipes aren't fun to work with, I would remove the oxygen sensors to check for restriction.

 

If you get the truck up to temp and use a lazer temp gun check the exhaust before and after the cat. That will show you if its restricted also, my gf pontiac g6 just had this problem, no power wouldn't shift and was throwing all kinds of dash lights. Dealer said it had a bad PCM...after a three second scan with my temp gun i found the problem CLOGGED CAT. brought it back to the dealer told them what I FOUND and the next morning everything was replaced under warranty

iPhone from IB AutoGroup

 

Usually, if your pipes are rusted, you have to destroy them to get them apart.


A torch, plasma cutter, sawzall with a metal cutting blade....all work well as implements of mass destruction.

Popping the O2 sensor will be enough relief to know if the cat is bad. If it is, replacing it all with aluminized pipe is fairly inexpensive and easier than trying to patch together a rusted rusty ball of rust.

 

pipes aren't rust boys, just need to separate them from a tight crimp.

 

You might be able to get them apart if you have access to an oxy aceteline torch. I have seperated mufflers this way. heat the area of the cat and wiggle, wiggle wiggle. sometimes it works, sometimes is doesnt.