Red hot exhaust manifold

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Log2

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So I have an issue. I was driving to work last week, when on the highway I was going up a slope, and I couldn't accelerate, or I was having trouble keeping my speed while going up the hill. The car chugged a little, so I immediately pulled onto the shoulder, popped the hood, and my exhaust manifold was glowing red (it was still dark out, so I could see it more than I normally would be able to) it was raining and when the rain hit, it just sizzled away. So I decided not to investigate further, haha. I called my a friend for a ride, he brought me his car, and we just switched, and I told him to take the back roads and go city speed. It all worked out.

So I haven't been able to look into till today, first day off in 11 days, and basically I would like to know what could cause this? I've read a couple things. It could be the cat, or it could be timing, or possibly an o2 sensor... not sure about that last one though. I haven't read any codes yet as I don't currently have access to a code reader, so I was wondering if anyone has experienced the same and has some advice, or if there's anything I can check before getting the codes?
 
I am surprised something like that is even possible. Maybe a blockage that constricted the air, causing a compression zone that became unusually hot? Just a guess.
 
Log2 said:
I haven't read any codes yet as I don't currently have access to a code reader, so I was wondering if anyone has experienced the same and has some advice, or if there's anything I can check before getting the codes?
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Umm, don't they have Autozone near you? How long has the "Check Engine" light been on? Flashing? If it's flashing it usually means a misfire which overheats your exhaust and can cause a fire. Lots of things can cause a misfire. Really, get the codes before you ask people to guess.
 
It sounds as it is a blocked exhaust system; broken cat, bent/crimped exhaust pipe (somebody put a banana up your exhaust pipe, in reference to "Beverly Hill Cop") or some other exhaust restriction.
 
Umm, don't they have Autozone near you?
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No, I live in Canada, it costs 80 dollars to get your codes read here.

Also they've confirmed my suspicions of it being a blocked exhaust.

Anyone know how I can clear the exhaust? lol, seems farfetched but someone might know a trick. Also is the cat hard to change on these cars?
 
Torch old one off, weld new one in. If you wanted to be sure it was the cat you could cut it open and gut it and see if that helps but then you're commited
 
haha, yea I'll just wait till I get my code reader before I get out the oxy/ace, but good idea for when/if I replace it!
 
I know somebody who determined his cat to be the problem so he cut a trap door in it, gutted it, and welded it shut again, although he had to run an o2 sim after that.
 
Log2 said:
Also they've confirmed my suspicions of it being a blocked exhaust.
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Who confirmed? And why do you think your exhaust got blocked? The number one reason is melting of the catalyst due to excessive exhaust temps due to chronic misfiring. Just a friendly suggestion that you treat the cause, not the symptoms.
 
Nick1233 said:
I know somebody who determined his cat to be the problem so he cut a trap door in it, gutted it, and welded it shut again, although he had to run an o2 sim after that.
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Others who care more about the environment have other solutions. I imagine this is illegal in the U.S. and Canada as well. Don't know what the penalty is up there, but probably a factor that ought to be weighed.
 
It sounds to me to be a cat problem. My 99 had that problem and it got to the point where it would barely run. We had a new one put on an it ran great after that.
 
illegal is funny

yes its illegal to@!$##@! your exhaust but i have fixed many that way its over a grand or more to replace a crap plugged cat or plugged pipe or exhaust etc evan at shops that do no no repair i would rather use @#$#@!$ like i have in past in my area cops to lazy to check under car unless loud or no muffler they dont do tint phones etc real lazy #@!$$ dont do there job and most all will never evan check unless given a reason or tip and a few dead animals oppps tree huggers are pissed now any way like mentioned so many times the exhaust is plugged some where
 
Olds_suck_likeGM said:
yes its illegal to@!$##@! your exhaust but i have fixed many that way its over a grand or more to replace a crap plugged cat or plugged pipe or exhaust etc evan at shops that do no no repair i would rather use @#$#@!$ like i have in past in my area cops to lazy to check under car unless loud or no muffler they dont do tint phones etc real lazy #@!$$ dont do there job and most all will never evan check unless given a reason or tip and a few dead animals oppps tree huggers are pissed now any way like mentioned so many times the exhaust is plugged some where
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Can you really call someone lazy when that entire block of text has no punctuation, or real sentence structure whatsoever?

At any rate, your estimate of over $1000 to have a new cat installed is ridiculous.

You can get an aftermarket converter from a reputable brand like Magnaflow for less than a hundred dollars. It shouldn't take an experienced exhaust shop long at all to cut the old one off and install the new one, probably between 50-100 dollars at your local mom and pop place.

Heck, even a direct-fit converter from RockAuto can be had for less than 300 bucks.

If you do go the aftermarket route, get a round converter. The oval-shaped ones will not fit well into the exhaust "tunnel".

Since no one has mentioned it, this could also be a fuel-pressure problem, if the engine isnt getting enough fuel it runs leans and can cause exhaust to get very hot much like a clogged converter. But since the OP has posted back in a while, Im guessing they have finally gotten the codes scanned and fixed the problem.
 
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