Slow Overheating SVX; please help!

[CaliSVX95]

I kind of feel stupid now because I meant to replace the cat converter a few months ago as an upgrade anyway and I put it off and put it off because I was moving....

But I got this from another website and this is exactly what is happening with my car....


"Catalytic converters are defective when they become clogged or poisoned. You may sometimes be able to feel when a converter is partially clogged, or defective, when you do not go any faster when you step on the throttle. This may also be accompanied with a noticeable drop in gas mileage. A clogged converter will cause increased backpressure in the exhaust system. This increased backpressure prevents the engine from breathing properly which in turn may cause the engine to quit after a few minutes of driving or feel like an engine governor limiting the RPM's the engine can achieve. You may actually hear a whistling or choking sound when applying the throttle."

[icingdeath88]

A clogged cat can smell bad. I've heard it described as a "rotten egg" smell.

Everything a shop does will cost a ton of money, regardless of how easy it takes or how long.

[92snowmachine]

easy, take out your o2 sensors and see if it runs better. plugged cats can cause your symptom but it's not the actual cause of the event, a new cat would likely get plugged as well. your car might have an issue with running too rich.

[Huskymaniac]

Shouldn't a code have been thrown if his CAT was clogged?

[icingdeath88]

Originally Posted by Huskymaniac

Shouldn't a code have been thrown if his CAT was clogged?

Nope, Mr Third-O2-sensor. The 2 O2 sensor cars have the O2 sensors before the cats, so they have no way of knowing if the cats are even there.

[NikFu S.]

Originally Posted by CaliSVX95

Failed water pump -...the refurbished pump alone is $400.

What?

[icingdeath88]

Originally Posted by CaliSVX95

Failed water pump - $ at least $900, the refurbished pump alone is $400

Yes, all of this quote is much too high. A new-from-Subaru water pump is less than $200, as I recall.

[svxfiles]

Remove the front O2 sensors from the headpipes.
Let them dangle.
Wait about a day to let it all air out with the battery dissconnected.
Reconnect the battery, start it and let it run WITH the O2 sensors still out and the headpipes NOT plugged.
After running it for, say 1/2 hour take it for a drive, as is, and report back.





If the exhaust is plugged with the O2s out, now it can breath.
If the O2s are soaked in unburned gasoline, by now it they are dry.

[B 4 You]

Originally Posted by icingdeath88

Yes, all of this quote is much too high. A new-from-Subaru water pump is less than $200, as I recall.

i paid $180 for a new one... that's bull. my water pump was bad but wasn't leaking either. i had a bad timing belt/water pump which over heated my car, but no loss of power. as everybody who owns an SVX can reminisce about, i think you have more than one problem on your hands.

[Huskymaniac]

Where's the update? Did you try the new radiator cap? Have the water pump and thermostat checked out? Have the CAT checked for clogging?