Another Catalytic Converter Problem

[Ralfster]

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 thing.

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

Thanks ........ Its running rough on Petrol and LPG ( LPG is a direct system so uses its own injectors )
I also read in these forums that camshaft sensors can throw the timing out heaps
Im booked in to my Mechanic next Tuesday
In the meantime if i Rev the car to 2500 revs in the garage ,............. JUST want to know if that can Damage the Engine !!!!!

 

[mpower]

i wouldn't be driving it until it's sorted, but that's me and i have the luxury of driving my second car if one of them needs attn.

 

[wannaeatyourbrains]

My guess is, it is not running fine at 2500rpm. Motor is just going fast enough that the pistons in the cylinders not firing have momentum. You really will destroy your catalytic converters driving because you will have raw petrol going in there. Do you have smoky exhaust? Check your wires to the camshaft sensors are not cracked where they loop just before the connection. Especially driver's side for you.

 

[Ralfster]

My guess is, it is not running fine at 2500rpm. Motor is just going fast enough that the pistons in the cylinders not firing have momentum. You really will destroy your catalytic converters driving because you will have raw petrol going in there. Do you have smoky exhaust? Check your wires to the camshaft sensors are not cracked where they loop just before the connection. Especially driver's side for you.

 

[Ralfster]

My guess is, it is not running fine at 2500rpm. Motor is just going fast enough that the pistons in the cylinders not firing have momentum. You really will destroy your catalytic converters driving because you will have raw petrol going in there. Do you have smoky exhaust? Check your wires to the camshaft sensors are not cracked where they loop just before the connection. Especially driver's side for you.

Thanks ...... I'm not going to drive it
However I have to wait over 2 weeks to get in to an Auto Electrician to get a detailed Scan done.
On my cheap scan tool the only thing I can check is Control Module Voltage ...... when idling (its rough ) the Voltage varies by 1/2 volt..... can't send a video.
Also the on board computer shows Battery Voltage going up and down by 1/2 volt.
Could that be the Alternator , plugs , coils etc gone bad.
Also my 2 Camshaft sensors have been leaking a bit of oil lately ... can't tell if they've failed.

Thanks

 

[Fu Manchu]

Disconnect the battery negative then positive terminals.

Clean all the earth points.
two on the heads
One below the ABS.
One 7mm from the ECM next to the ECM
Remove the battery and unplug the one behind it on the side behind the headlight. Clean the threads with a tap.
Scotchbrite the contact surfaces. Use a modified emery board for finger nails to clean the pins in the earth plug behind the battery.
Wire brush bolt threads

Undo the main earth and clean contact surfaces with scotchbrite and wire brush.

Spray all surfaces/threads with CO Contact Cleaner.

Clean up the battery terminals.

Clean up the alternator thread and contact eyelet.

When plugging it all back, do so with the battery out.

When reconnecting, negative last. Make sure they are tight.

Clean the MAF with MAF cleaner

Clean the cam solenoids with carby cleaner.
Clean the cam sensors with a microfibre and some carby cleaner.

Make sure there are no vacuum leaks from hard vacuum hoses.

Try some injector cleaner octane booster in the fuel.

Make sure the intake plenum is torqued evenly at 23-25Nm.

All cheap things to do while you wait for the scan.

 

[Ralfster]

Disconnect the battery negative then positive terminals.

Clean all the earth points.
two on the heads
One below the ABS.
One 7mm from the ECM next to the ECM
Remove the battery and unplug the one behind it on the side behind the headlight. Clean the threads with a tap.
Scotchbrite the contact surfaces. Use a modified emery board for finger nails to clean the pins in the earth plug behind the battery.
Wire brush bolt threads

Undo the main earth and clean contact surfaces with scotchbrite and wire brush.

Spray all surfaces/threads with CO Contact Cleaner.

Clean up the battery terminals.

Clean up the alternator thread and contact eyelet.

When plugging it all back, do so with the battery out.

When reconnecting, negative last. Make sure they are tight.

Clean the MAF with MAF cleaner

Clean the cam solenoids with carby cleaner.
Clean the cam sensors with a microfibre and some carby cleaner.

Make sure there are no vacuum leaks from hard vacuum hoses.

Try some injector cleaner octane booster in the fuel.

Make sure the intake plenum is torqued evenly at 23-25Nm.

All cheap things to do while you wait for the scan.

WOW .......... Thanks for that detailed reply , sounds like you know your stuff.
So most of my problems could be electrical .......
I suppose its best if i get scanned with a Tech 2 ( are they what suit the VZ best )

Will update when i complete this list and get the Scan results

Many Thanks ............. Cheers

 

[Fu Manchu]

It may not be electrical. It could be. Doing what I listed does no harm. Eliminates one possible cause of gremlins. Costs little to no money. Gives you something productive to move on with while you wait for a scan to be done. Until a Tech2 is used as a starting point for fault finding, the rest is guess work. Sorting the earths is highly productive regardless.

 

[Ralfster]

It may not be electrical. It could be. Doing what I listed does no harm. Eliminates one possible cause of gremlins. Costs little to no money. Gives you something productive to move on with while you wait for a scan to be done. Until a Tech2 is used as a starting point for fault finding, the rest is guess work. Sorting the earths is highly productive regardless.

Cheers

 

[Ralfster]

It may not be electrical. It could be. Doing what I listed does no harm. Eliminates one possible cause of gremlins. Costs little to no money. Gives you something productive to move on with while you wait for a scan to be done. Until a Tech2 is used as a starting point for fault finding, the rest is guess work. Sorting the earths is highly productive regardless.

Just one more thing please ............ i said i have to wait weeks to get the car scanned .......
I just saw on other posts about software called " SOFTWARE ON ELM STREET " by Envyous Customs in W.A
Have you heard if this cable and software is as good as Tech 2 in finding ERROR CODES.

THANKS