Hot Catalytic Converter?

[jclit]

What would cause a Catalytic Converter to get red hot?

I was just out in the garage adjusting my choke and I let the car idle until it got warm enough to open the choke. I noticed a burning smell and got down and looked under the car and the Catalytic Converter was glowing red.

Is it going bad? The car just passed a smog check last week so I don’t think it was bad then.

Thanks
Jim

 

[ßill]

Running rich is the only thing I know that will turn a cat cherry red. I hope you didn’t melt the structure holding the catalyst. Have you run the car since then? Did it cool down after the choke opened?

 

[LannyL81]

What would cause a Catalytic Converter to get red hot?

I was just out in the garage adjusting my choke and I let the car idle until it got warm enough to open the choke. I noticed a burning smell and got down and looked under the car and the Catalytic Converter was glowing red.

Is it going bad? The car just passed a smog check last week so I don’t think it was bad then.

Thanks
Jim

The cat will not last long with a rich mixture going into it. Even shorter if you have the AIR pump blowing more air into the fire. I had to disconnect my AIR pump as my diverter valve was not working and it was putting air into the cat all the time. Makes a great iron forge.

Later,
LannyL81