Clogged Cat?

[civil1974]

03 Sierra Z71. Bought with 50000 but with a rebuilt title (no warranty). It now has 71000 miles and is running horribly. When you get on it at all, it sounds like there is a rev limiter keeping it from blowing and the check engine light comes on. When you let off, the light goes off and all is well again. This has went on for about a week and it is getting worse. This morning, the check engine light was on the whole way to work and would blink at me when I accelerated.

When this problem first started, I took it to a transmission guy because I thought it was slipping.

 

He said that it was a clogged cat.

 

I took to Meineke, he said clogged cat. But, it also threw a P0300. I am getting mixed signals. Some are saying that there is a problem causing the code that killed the cats. Some are saying that the bad cats are causing the code? Any ideas?? Oh, new plugs, wires, fuel filter, etc. at 52000 miles.

[svensk]

its the cats. Bad oxygen sensors could have killed them by making the mixture too rich for a long time.

[98silvz71]

its the cats. Bad oxygen sensors could have killed them by making the mixture too rich for a long time.

 

+1

[Tucson_02Silverado]

There isn't many states that require it, but does your rebuilt title state if it is because of collision or flood? Flood water is very nasty stuff that would practically encapsulate the 02 sensors and the cat material.

[civil1974]

There isn't many states that require it, but does your rebuilt title state if it is because of collision or flood? Flood water is very nasty stuff that would practically encapsulate the 02 sensors and the cat material.

 

 

The rebuilt title was explained to me as a collision. In all of my infinite wisdom, I trusted the guy. Well, later I have found evidence of WATER. There was silt in the door panels. I have a feeling that I am going to have many troubles. But, the truck has ran like a top until now. It is a smoking sharp truck. Thank you for all of your help.

[Zembonez]

The rebuilt title was explained to me as a collision.

Rebuilt titles are the result of a vehicle being totalled by an insurance company. Like anything else, this can be good or bad. Sounds like you bought a flood car. All is not lost however. The issue you describe sounds like an engine that started running poorly and destroyed the cats. It won't get better on its own for sure. You'll first need to replace the cats and then figure out what caused them to go. Cats don't just "go bad". I'm sure the problem is fixable.

 

When the check engine light comes on, it means check out and repair a problem. When the check engine light flashes, it means that you are doing harm to the system (in this case destroying the cats) and you need to stop operating the vehicle and check out the problem. That's why it is there.

[slimjim2525]

Thanks all, I learned some stuff here. Never new what a rebuilt title was.

[jrrod2004]

what is your VIN number???? sometimes that rebuilt title information makes its way to GMVIS

[Tucson_02Silverado]

There's salvage vehicles of collison, floods, theft recoveries. They can be repaired to be road worthy and inspected to be registered, but with a REBUILT classification on the title. Not all states even have the REBUILT for titles, so be aware of any vehicle too good for the monies wanted. That's why CarFax is kinda worth the expense for a report.

 

Here's some examples of salvage that could be rebuilt, such as rollovers that you want to put a T-Rex body kit or something.

 

WARNING, First Time viewers will have uncontrollable Drooling and will want to empty their savings on a project vehicle

[Mark_in_Tulsa]

I know you said it's a totalled truck, but it is federal law that the CAT be covered for 80,000 miles. Don't know with it being a rebuilt affects that. Maybe the dealer won't know?

[jrrod2004]

I know you said it's a totalled truck, but it is federal law that the CAT be covered for 80,000 miles. Don't know with it being a rebuilt affects that. Maybe the dealer won't know?

 

 

Nope, federal law does not extend to salvage/totaled/rebuild when it comes to GM...the entire warranty is deleted/voided out

[civil1974]

Thats a fact. I called the dealer and they ran the VIN. A big old red flag waved at them. No warranty work allowed on this vehicle.

[jrrod2004]

Thats a fact. I called the dealer and they ran the VIN. A big old red flag waved at them. No warranty work allowed on this vehicle.

 

yep that always happens.

[Draenor]

The symptoms you describe also sound like a bad fuel filter. I would change it out first, its alot cheaper. If you can cut it open and see how much crud is in it. If it is really dirty, you may have *change* it twice.

[tobias]

The symptoms you describe also sound like a bad fuel filter. I would change it out first, its alot cheaper. If you can cut it open and see how much crud is in it. If it is really dirty, you may have to do it twice.

 

How do you cut something open twice?

 

As for the clogged cat, there is an easy solution: