Swaping engine and trans from top ( first timer)

**Scottydoggs** · 03-26-2016

p0420 is a cat code. how many miles are on the car? it could be clogged up.

**steelholder** · 03-26-2016

162k It wasn't clogged, that was checked before pulling engine too since code showed up. Its strange it was working so perfectly for at least 15 miles before anything happened

**Scottydoggs** · 03-26-2016

how in the world would you know if its clogged or not? heres the test, unbolt the down pipe, see if it stays running. if it does the cats clogged up.

i only suggest this cause we know them bolts will come off easy, cause you just put them back on.

most of the time you pull the or sensor out the rear manifold to let exhaust escape.

**steelholder** · 03-26-2016

I took my car to a mechanic before who ran the codes and said he verified it wasn't clogged.

Wouldn't the pipe be very hot to handle if the car is on?

**Scottydoggs** · 03-26-2016

ever see Beverly hills cop? bananas in th etail pipe, car runs for a few seconds, then stalls. same as a super clogged cat.

and just what did the guy do to verify this?

when the car is running still with a clogged cat or partial clog you drive it at night as hard as you can then pull over and look for a cherry red cat. or glowing manifolds off the engine.

but you said it only fires up and stalls out now. so you pull them two bolts to the dp, split the pipes a crack, then go fire it up. if it stays running go kick that guy in the nuts lol

**steelholder** · 03-26-2016

Would running the engine with a clogged cat hurt it? It does stay on if I give it gas sputtering so I may try that later. I'll check the dp first thing tmrw.

**steelholder** · 03-26-2016

Its parked at friends house is there any temporary fix that can get me home without a tow? Maybe reving it out?

**ItHurtz** · 03-26-2016

Constantly driving with a plugged cat would blow gaskets as a worse case, so you would be going back to page 1 of this thread.

**steelholder** · 03-26-2016

Originally Posted by ItHurtz

Constantly driving with a plugged cat would blow gaskets as a worse case, so you would be going back to page 1 of this thread.

Ok tow it is then. Just to get a bit ahead what's the cat fix like? Im in ca and noticed they weren't for sale at yard

**steelholder** · 03-26-2016

Originally Posted by markpa

Thanks for tackling this steelholder and scottydoggs for being there for troubleshooting. Followed from the beginning. I have never pulled an engine or tranny but with the help here I feel it's very do-able. I do all my fixing and maintaining on cars and like Scotty hate paying others to do stuff. Luckily never had to go that deep. I probably should have played with my old 2000 GP with 330K on it when it froze up, my guess now is it hydro locked but everything was used up on that, body, original struts and interior only an SE also. I have 2 daughters driving GP's now that are both supercharged an 07 and an 03 with 168k and 200 k respectively. Kind of jealous I don't get to drive them more. The are a blast to drive.

Thanks again for the education.

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The problems keep coming but it was doable and not as complicated as I thought. I'm sure you know more about cars than I do. Now moving on to this cat issue..I should've taken care of this a while back when it first showed.

**markpa** · 03-26-2016

I don't think poping a new car in is hard. But the price tag stinks. And your in ca so no other choice.

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**steelholder** · 03-26-2016

Originally Posted by markpa

I don't think poping a new car in is hard. But the price tag stinks. And your in ca so no other choice.

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Is welding required?

**markpa** · 03-26-2016

If it is still all original I think it bolts in. That may be a big if.

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**Scottydoggs** · 03-26-2016

being your in ca, you need a real carb cat, not cheap from what i hear. no welding, you replace the pipe and cat one shot, 4 bolts.

**steelholder** · 03-26-2016

I'll see what happens tmrw when I disconnect the dp, thanks for everyone's help today.

**steelholder** · 03-26-2016

Originally Posted by Scottydoggs

how in the world would you know if its clogged or not? heres the test, unbolt the down pipe, see if it stays running. if it does the cats clogged up.

i only suggest this cause we know them bolts will come off easy, cause you just put them back on.

most of the time you pull the or sensor out the rear manifold to let exhaust escape.

I actually thought this might be important to post but after having the car off for about 4 hours it turned on perfectly. I waited a couple of minutes for it to start to sputter and die but nothing. So i took off and about a half mile in i feel the first hesitation during acceleration, like a loss of power, then it started sputtering a few more hundred yards down till it started to turn off and only stay on a few seconds after turning ignition. If it was a clogged cat would it turn on and drive perfectly like that before hand?

**Scottydoggs** · 03-26-2016

if the cat broke apart it can block the pipe lets some flow by then hit a bump and clog it all the way or open it up. hit the cat, listen for stuff bouncing around inside it.

**steelholder** · 03-27-2016

Originally Posted by Scottydoggs

if the cat broke apart it can block the pipe lets some flow by then hit a bump and clog it all the way or open it up. hit the cat, listen for stuff bouncing around inside it.

I noticed that it will consistently turn on for longer periods when given a few hours to rest. I'll still undo the dp and manifold to be sure, im gna hate that loud ruckus.

**Scottydoggs** · 03-27-2016

could be the pressure bleeding off in the exhaust.

once the dp is cracked open you'll know for sure.

**steelholder** · 03-27-2016

Just to be sure I won't have to unhinge the bolts right, just separate about a half inch or so? And I should expect lots of smoke from under the engine? About how long should it be left running?