Replace catalytic converter?
 

I own a 1997 Dodge Ram 1500 Conversion Van with 135,000 miles that has
recently been making a grinding noise. Upon review, my mechanic found the
noises were due to two unrelated problems: the transmission and the
catalytic converter. I am having the transmission rebuilt, so my question is
about the catalytic converter. Assuming the vehicle passes state (Texas)
emmissions standards, is there any reason to replace the catalytic
converter?

If there is a rattling noise from a honeycomb catalytic converter there is a good chance that it will crumble and clog up. If a tray with pellets type converter rattles it is usually just a loose tray and it will work OK.

Matthew wrote:
>
> I own a 1997 Dodge Ram 1500 Conversion Van with 135,000 miles that has
> recently been making a grinding noise. Upon review, my mechanic found the
> noises were due to two unrelated problems: the transmission and the
> catalytic converter. I am having the transmission rebuilt, so my question is
> about the catalytic converter. Assuming the vehicle passes state (Texas)
> emmissions standards, is there any reason to replace the catalytic
> converter?

--
Mike Walsh
West Palm Beach, Florida, U.S.A.

Mike Walsh wrote:
> If there is a rattling noise from a honeycomb catalytic converter
there is a good chance that it will crumble and clog up. If a tray with
pellets type converter rattles it is usually just a loose tray and it
will work OK.
>
If this was 1975 I could name a few, but what automaker still put
pellets in the catalytic converter?

Kruse wrote:
>
> Mike Walsh wrote:
> > If there is a rattling noise from a honeycomb catalytic converter
> there is a good chance that it will crumble and clog up. If a tray with
> pellets type converter rattles it is usually just a loose tray and it
> will work OK.
> >
> If this was 1975 I could name a few, but what automaker still put
> pellets in the catalytic converter?

My '88 Pontiac had a bead-bed catalyst originally.

JazzMan
--
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JazzMan wrote:
> Kruse wrote:
> >

> My '88 Pontiac had a bead-bed catalyst originally.
>
> JazzMan
> --

Hmmm.... Due to efficiency, I thought they had switched to the
honeycomb long ago. I learned something new!!

Kruse wrote:

> JazzMan wrote:
>
>>Kruse wrote:
>>
>
>>My '88 Pontiac had a bead-bed catalyst originally.
>>
>>JazzMan
>>--
>
>
> Hmmm.... Due to efficiency, I thought they had switched to the
> honeycomb long ago. I learned something new!!
>

It's all relative. 1988 *was* 17 years ago, but please don't say that's
a long time in front of my car, I don't want it to start thinking it's
got an excuse to be finicky :)

nate

--
replace "fly" with "com" to reply.
http://home.comcast.net/~njnagel

Nate Nagel wrote:
> Kruse wrote:
>
> > JazzMan wrote:
> >
> >>Kruse wrote:
> >>
> >
> >>My '88 Pontiac had a bead-bed catalyst originally.
> >>
> >>JazzMan
> >>--
> >
> >
> > Hmmm.... Due to efficiency, I thought they had switched to the
> > honeycomb long ago. I learned something new!!
> >
>
> It's all relative. 1988 *was* 17 years ago, but please don't say
that's
> a long time in front of my car, I don't want it to start thinking
it's
> got an excuse to be finicky :)
>
> nate
>
> --
>

Well, a pelleted converter in '88 I can believe. The original post was
for a 1997 vehicle which wasn't ALL that long ago, so I was curious if
one was available in 1997. Anyway, 1988 did surprise me because I
thought they had switched long before that. Like I said, I learned
something new today.
I do remember when a lot of vehicled were switching to the honeycomb
because they were more touted as being more efficient. Maybe GM just
didn't want to admit it.....
Anyway, 'nuff said from my point of view.

On Wed, 2 Mar 2005, JazzMan wrote:

> My '88 Pontiac had a bead-bed catalyst originally.

That is highly doubtful. Are you *quite* sure? How do you know?

Daniel J. Stern wrote:
>
> On Wed, 2 Mar 2005, JazzMan wrote:
>
> > My '88 Pontiac had a bead-bed catalyst originally.
>
> That is highly doubtful. Are you *quite* sure? How do you know?

Because I cut the original, plugged up catalyst off three
years back and replaced it with a monolith.

JazzMan
--
************************************************** ********
Please reply to jsavage"at"airmail.net.
Curse those darned bulk e-mailers!
************************************************** ********
"Rats and roaches live by competition under the laws of
supply and demand. It is the privilege of human beings to
live under the laws of justice and mercy." - Wendell Berry
************************************************** ********

On Wed, 2 Mar 2005, JazzMan wrote:

> > > My '88 Pontiac had a bead-bed catalyst originally.

> > That is highly doubtful. Are you *quite* sure? How do you know?

> Because I cut the original, plugged up catalyst off three years back and
> replaced it with a monolith.

Interesting. What model (and engine, etc.) is your '88 Pontiac?