rithsleeper

So still working on this 2004 trying to get it running right.... I warmed it up and then realized the exhaust where the o2 sensor is in the catalytic converter is red hot and glowing! Is this a clogged cat or skmething? I can only see it glowing around the plug but I bet the whole thing is glowing just is covered by the heat shield.

The car runs like crap by the way an pretty sure only one rotor is functioning. Could be ignition problem, or compression, not sure....

RIWWP

iTrader: (2)

Yes, that is a clogged cat. Continuing to drive with it in that condition will lead to engine damage, O2 sensor damage, and possibly a car fire.

Gut it (which will cause a CEL and fail you on emissions sniffer and emissions OBD2, depending on where you live) or replace it ($1,300+ at the dealer, a used on here is cheaper, you are almost certainly past the 8yr 80,000 mile federal cat warranty).

Clogged cats are most frequently caused by failure to replace the ignition frequently enough, leading to excessive misfires and the dumped air and fuel igniting in your cat, slagging it. Can also be caused by anything else that causes misfires.

Lord ET

iTrader: (1)

take off the CAT and see what you've got. Sounds clogged.

EDIT: ^Beat me to it.

rithsleeper

Ummmm i just put a timing light on my plugs and replaced all 4 plugs and only one plug was firing. Does this mean 3 bad coils? Or could it be something else? I'm sure that's why the cat is clogged..... now does this mean I shouod replace coils before gutting the cat? Is there any way to clean the cat... I don't have emmmissions in sc so its not a big deal but I'd rather keep it in good shape to resell later....

RIWWP

iTrader: (2)

Each plug has a wire and a coil attached. If all 4 are afflicted the same, then it's going to be a grounding problem, alternator problem, or the ESS. Since you have 3 not firing, it's entirely possible for one to be from the coil, one from the wire, and one from the plug. You need all 3 pieces in perfect condition to have that plug fire fine.

That being said, if the plug or the wire fails, it will fry the coil very quickly. If a coil, wire, or plug fails, it will foul the other plug in the same rotor housing much much more quickly.

It's why we tell people to replace all 12 parts every 30,000 miles, or sooner if there is a hint of misfiring. You have to pay attention to what your car is doing and really feel it. Misfires will be present for long before the ECU will detect them.

The rate of cascading failure for ignition is hefty, the price is high for ignoring it.



No, a clogged cat can't be "fixed". It's done. Typically, the first element completely turns to powder/slag and packs into the second element. Neither is recoverable. The only "value" it might have is as a core to a dealer or a cat recycling scrap place may pay you a few bucks for whatever titanium they can salvage from the element material left. It has zero value to anyone wanting to install one on an RX-8.

rithsleeper

I will definately replace the coils, wires, and plugs, in the meantime how do I test the coil packs to see if they are bad? What prongs do I prod while measuring ohms to check and what should the correct ohms read?

RIWWP

iTrader: (2)

The dealer ohms test on the coils will only actually show a failing coil when it is completely dead. They can weaken enough to cause misfires LONG before they will ever fail the ohms test.

The only real way of testing is to actually test the spark itself through a coil tester like this:


The spark needs to be clear, steady, and consistent in color, duration, frequency, etc... If it isn't, then it will still pass the ohms test but will start generating misfires.

Obviously this effectively tests the wire and the coil, so if there is a problem with a coil/wire pair, swap a known good coil or known good wire in to pinpoint if it was the coil or the wire that was causing the problem.

rithsleeper

Advanced is having to order a set of wires from the factory and charging shipping and it will take a week to get here.... what is best place to buy a oem set of wires. I don't need anything fancy. The current wires look really good but I don't want to take any chances.....

Is there a reliable set for around 40 shipped? Is there something special other than length to these things?