[Shotimes] What can destroy a cat?

[cmichaelo@optonline.net]

How do I determine if piston rings are wearing down? 

And if indeed this is the case, shouldn't I notice some horsepower loss?

And what is the fix for this? Since I have to pull the pistons out, what are the options for upgrading to forged pistons and rods and such?  Does this also require modificatoins to the the main block?

Michael Olsen
94MTX,green,BOS+
----- Original Message -----
From: Ian Fisher <dataflash@yahoo.com>
Date: Wednesday, June 16, 2004 2:58 pm
Subject: Re: RE: [Shotimes] What can destroy a cat?

> Neither is likely or else you'd have more serious
> problems. However, a failing piston ring will result
> in oil being burned in the combustion chamber which
> may be closer to what you have happening in your car.
> 
> Ian
> --- cmichaelo@optonline.net wrote:
> > I've heard about oil leaking into the cylinders
> > through the valve guides, but supposedly that should
> > generate a blue puff of smoke when I start the car,
> > and that I don't see.  So I can imagine that perhaps
> > oil is entering the cylinder through the cylinder
> > walls or due to a broken cylinder head gasket.
> > 
> > Which one is more likely, and are there other ways
> > oil can enter the cylinders?
> > 
> > Michael Olsen
> > 94MTX,green,BOS+,130k
> > 
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: Bill Murray <fordsho@cloud9grafx.com>
> > Date: Tuesday, June 15, 2004 12:32 pm
> > Subject: RE: [Shotimes] What can destroy a cat?
> > 
> > > Burning oil will also cause cats to go bad.  They
> > are not designed to
> > > burnoff the extra "stuff" that the exhaust will
> > have in it.
> > > 
> > > Bill Murray
> > > 
> > > > -----Original Message-----
> > > > From: cmichaelo@optonline.net
> > [cmichaelo@optonline.net] 
> > > > Sent: Tuesday, June 15, 2004 11:20 AM
> > > > To: shotimes
> > > > Subject: [Shotimes] What can destroy a cat?
> > > > 
> > > > 
> > > > I have now destroyed my second catalytic
> > converter. I'm 
> > > > trying to find out if something is wrong my
> > engine, or if the 
> > > > cats were just of poor quality to begin with. 
> > > > 
> > > > Both cats were bought from Sho Shop in 1997. 
> > > > 
> > > > The first cat lasted about 40k, and the second
> > about 30k.  
> > > > 
> > > > I strongly suspect that the first cat died to
> > some prolonged 
> > > > trouble with the MAF which produced rich fuel
> > mixture. During 
> > > > the life of the first cat I only averaged 17-18
> > mpg.
> > > > 
> > > > But with the second cat I had no such problem
> > with the MAF.  
> > > > I'm now averaging 20-21 mpg. However, I do have
> > an excessive 
> > > > oil consumption, and I'm wondering if oil is
> > leaking into the 
> > > > cylinders and is burning up, if that can destroy
> > a cat?
> > > > 
> > > > What else could destroy a cat?  I have 130k on
> > the car. New 
> > > > oxygen sensors. New 77mm ProFlow MAF. No chip. 
> > Good 
> > > > acceleration.  Good idle.  Car is due for 60k
> > though.
> > > > 
> > > > Michael Olsen
> > > > 94MTX,green,BOX+
> > > > 
> 
> 
> 
>        	
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