Another Catalytic Converter Problem

[Ralfster]

My first post .........

I have a VZ 2004 V6 Berlina on Dual Fuel 213,000 klms
Had car for 13 years ....... no problems
2 days ago was coming home on LPG accelerating to 80 kmh when the car started spluttering , changed to Petrol .... still no good.
Had to drive home at 40 kmh
Seemed very hot under car with egg smell from exhaust.
Showed car to mechanic next day ....... NO Warning lights on dash and NO Error codes showing when he scanned the car.
He suggested the local Exhaust shop ...... they put it on hoist and could not say the Catalytic converters were at fault.
Irridium Plugs and Coils done at 188,000 klm
I use 91 octane and LPG from an Independent service station ..... he said 91 octane is not that great and i may have a bad batch of fuel.
Exhaust Man said drain out 91 and fill up with 98 octane and use Penrite EGR and CAT CLEAN + and ONLY drive on Petrol for say 200 klm
He said that might fix up the problem before spending $800 on new Catalytic Converters
I drove 40 klm today ...... still very jerky , rough and loud noise from exhaust, still hot under bonnet and slight egg smell.

My concern is why NO Warning lights and NO error codes showing , could other things be at fault !!!!!

Thanks

 

[Fu Manchu]

You won’t have any codes because there are no post cat sensors on the 04 model. 06-07models had pre and post cat sensors.

Also will depend on what you are using to scan for codes. Most common code readers miss codes. It’s the high end diagnosis tools that are best used when things get serious or tricky. Tech2 is what the car was designed around.

 

[Ralfster]

You won’t have any codes because there are no post cat sensors on the 04 model. 06-07models had pre and post cat sensors.

Also will depend on what you are using to scan for codes. Most common code readers miss codes. It’s the high end diagnosis tools that are best used when things get serious or tricky. Tech2 is what the car was designed around.

Thanks for your reply ......... is it still safe to drive if the Catalytic converter is blocked , it wont do any damage to the engine

 

[Fu Manchu]

Yes it will. A lot.

 

[Ralfster]

Yes it will. A lot.

So the Exhaust shop was WRONG to tell me to use 98 octane and Penrite EGR & CAT CLEAN + and drive 200 klms to try to clear it out ...... then if it didnt work to install new Cats on the car !!!

 

[Martbar]

You won’t have any codes because there are no post cat sensors on the 04 model. 06-07models had pre and post cat sensors.

Also will depend on what you are using to scan for codes. Most common code readers miss codes. It’s the high end diagnosis tools that are best used when things get serious or tricky. Tech2 is what the car was designed around.

Hey Fu, I've got a vident i400 au obd
adl scan tool coming over from Aus
Supposedly it will do every thing but make make a cup of coffee and you don't have to be a member of mensa to operate it. Will it be as good as a
Tech 2 ? Cheers mate.

 

[wannaeatyourbrains]

They sure don't like bad fuel. It is a possibility. 91 is fine if it is clean.

Lucky you can syphon these tanks. Try that for sure. Get rid of the old fuel and put some clean fuel in there.

I used Scotty's method to clean the catalytic converters in a couple of cars. Worked a charm.

 

[Ralfster]

Thanks for that ........ Yes i drained out the old fuel , put in 40 litres 98 and added 1 bottle of Penrite EGR & CAT Clean +.
Drove 40 klms ...... but its a struggle , car is so rough takes ages to reach say 90 KMH.
I would rather rev the engine to 2500 revs ...... its very lumpy and missing at low revs but Smooth at high revs ( 2500 revs ) ........ WHY is that.
I have No warning lights on dash and my mechanics scanning tool showed no error codes , the Exhaust shop said thats because on 04 VZ V6 the O2 sensor is at the front of the CATS.

I just want to be sure i dont do any damage to the engine revving at 2500 Revs for 30 mins ..............

Thanks

 

[Ralfster]

They sure don't like bad fuel. It is a possibility. 91 is fine if it is clean.

Lucky you can syphon these tanks. Try that for sure. Get rid of the old fuel and put some clean fuel in there.

I used Scotty's method to clean the catalytic converters in a couple of cars. Worked a charm.

Thanks for that ........... Yes i drained out the old fuel, put in 40 litres of 98 and added 1 bottle of Penrite EGR & CAT Clean +
Drove 40 klms ....... but its a struggle , car is so rough takes ages to reach say 90 KMH.
I would rather rev the engine to 2500 revs ...... its very lumpy and missing at low revs but Smooth at high revs ( 2500 revs ) ........ WHY is that
I have No warning lights on dash and my mechanics scanning tool showed no error codes , the Exhaust Shop said thats because on
04 VZ V6 the O2 sensor is at the front of the CATS.

I just want to be sure i dont do any damage to the engine revving at 2500 Revs for 30 mins .........

Thanks

 

[mpower]

when the cats came out of my old car (under 200,000) for a new system they were shagged (not dirty, stuffed).

I don't think they last as long as a lot of people think.

having a dual fuel car though i'd be talking to a gas specialist.