header and cat. glowing red hot

[Ranger44]

Yes, there is a chance the catalytic converter is clogged......

BUT, catalytic converters DO NOT die, they are MURDERED. There is no reason why a catalytic converter would die, really not even age. It's usually physical damage or the engine is running rich, coolant is entering the cylinder (therefore exiting and contaminating the cat), or excessive oil burn(also contaminating the cat). Find the contaminate, replace the cat (if needed), and you'll solve the problem.

Symptoms would include....strong smell of gas???? Little things like this, or maybe high rpm,etc.. may point to common symptoms of a component failure. Help us, help you.

But with the drop of MPG, you are obviously using more gas. But there is a reason your computer thinks your engine needs more gas. It's tricking itself. Testing the ECT would be my first step.

Wouldn't hurt to check the FPR, pull the vacuum hose off the top and see if gas comes out. If so, BAD. Another check would be to place a vacuum on it and see if it holds 25psi for a few minutes.

 

[schmoo]

first, check your cam timing.

 

[scotts90ranger]

yes, cat is bad if the exhaust is glowing like that, but there is a root cause somewhere!

a misfire can cause the cat to die (like a broken spark plug would do), but an exhaust leak before the pre cat oxygen sensor would do similar, if there's a leak in the exhaust, it actually lets air IN not just exhaust out, this air going in lets the sensor think the engine is running lean, then it richens the heck out of the engine causing the cat to overheat and blow. Also, if the fuel pressure regulator went south the diaphragm in it can burst and put fuel into the intake manifold making the engine run rich (that bad of gas mileage), to check for this, pull the vacuum line off of the regulator and cycle the key a couple times (a helper would be handy) and see if fuel leaks there, if it does it's shot.

as far as the compression, they should actually be close to 180psi and within 15% of each other. for a compression test you normally crank for at least 5 compression strokes.

just noticed the post above this, cam timing, that would cause low compression if the timing belt slipped a tooth...

 

[Ranger44]

If the belt skipped a tooth it'd be obvious. They run like crap even a tooth off.

 

[Duane867]

Check ERG gaskets ( tube and all ), O2 sensor bungs, Cat pipe to the exhaust manifold extension pipe, extension pipe to manifold, and the manifold to head gasket for exhaust leaks.

 

[bowser90]

well i took the cat off and the exhaust manifold is still running a lil red. mpg have not gone up at all and i get a really strong gas smell. what could be causing the truck to run that rich?

 

[Duane867]

Checked your plugs and wires lately ? (after market accel coils are not always a good idea with the 2.3. Especially a worn 2.3. NOT that this is your problem. )
Fuel pressure regulator like suggested above ?
I would basically do a simple tune up and check up.
Check the codes 1st. Then the air filter, plugs wires ( even though they are new they could still have developed a flaw. factory defects happen ) Fuel pressure regulator etc etc etc...


Actually... I think I would just check the fuel pressure regulator 1st. Do as suggested and just pull the hose off and smell for a strong gas odor. You will have a faint odor, but it should not be wet or strong.

 

[Ranger44]

Check my above posts, also look for a bad spark plug if your truck is running rough. If it's not missing I wouldn't worry about it too much. Other things would be priority.

 

[necessaryevil]

i had a honda with the same problems awhile back and after months of hunting come to find out the the engine harness that had the O2 sensor wire was rubbed raw and shorting out and misleading the ecm