Cat Question
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 1,504
Likes: 1
From: Texas
Cat Question
Yes! Go by a muffler shop and see if they can do a backpressure test on your exhaust system. I had this done on mine and the rear cat was plugged solid.
However, there is a way I think you can check it yourself. Stand by your tailpipe and have somebody rev your engine (in park preferrably) and put your hand down by the tailpipe opening. If you have loads of exhaust coming out then it shouldn't be plugged, but if very little comes out then it's a good possibilty that it is plugged.
Also, does your engine take a while to drop the RPM's down after you rev the engine when the engine is hot? That could be another indicator as well.
Hope something out of the above helps.
However, there is a way I think you can check it yourself. Stand by your tailpipe and have somebody rev your engine (in park preferrably) and put your hand down by the tailpipe opening. If you have loads of exhaust coming out then it shouldn't be plugged, but if very little comes out then it's a good possibilty that it is plugged.
Also, does your engine take a while to drop the RPM's down after you rev the engine when the engine is hot? That could be another indicator as well.
Hope something out of the above helps.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 5,860
Likes: 4
From: Metro Detroit (Redford)
Cat Question
Another way I saw on this web site's message boards long ago (months maybe) is with a vacuum gauge. I am not sure how it works, but I believe the vacuum drops off at higher RPMS. Better consult a good reference book though or the instructions that come with a good vacuum gauge. In the 70's and 80's there were ads in Popular Mechanics for these cat test pipes that bolt in in place of the cat to test for blockage (how that will work I don't know as the straight pipe surely will flow more freely). The had a disclaimer that the pipe leagally could only stay in place long enough for the test(;-)).
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 5,860
Likes: 4
From: Metro Detroit (Redford)
Cat Question
Strange, but I just happened on this while flipping through an old Popular Mechanics (3/85) yesterday. To test for exhaust system restriction attach a vacuum gauge, run motor at cruising speed, then let the throttle snap closed. Vacuum should soar to nearly 25 inches. If not then an exhaust restriction exists that could be the cat or something else.
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