Clogged Up Catalytic Converter?

[HoveringHMMWV]

I have a 2007 M1151A1 which has had a chronic problem of spitting soot and when hard accelerating will trail a thin stream of black smoke. I am also of the opinion that it is somewhat overly anemic in power output. Also, I have never been able to hear an audible turbo "whine" even with aggressive throttle changes. So, after reading up on possible causes, I decided to pull the catalytic converter to gauge it's condition. I am assuming the black is soot and the grey is carbon deposits (?). So, is this a "gunked up" or clogged cat? I was only able to take pics of the discharge end of the cat. I tried to insert a flashlight into the forward end but was unable to see any light through the medium. If needing cleaning, does anyone have any proven suggestions other than what I've seen on youtube?

 

[Valley Rock]

If you have a turbo, then get rid of the cat and the muffler and let your engine live free .

At least gut the cat for God's sake .

 

[Mullaney]

I have a 2007 M1151A1 which has had a chronic problem of spitting soot and when hard accelerating will trail a thin stream of black smoke. I am also of the opinion that it is somewhat overly anemic in power output. Also, I have never been able to hear an audible turbo "whine" even with aggressive throttle changes. So, after reading up on possible causes, I decided to pull the catalytic converter to gauge it's condition. I am assuming the black is soot and the grey is carbon deposits (?). So, is this a "gunked up" or clogged cat? I was only able to take pics of the discharge end of the cat. I tried to insert a flashlight into the forward end but was unable to see any light through the medium. If needing cleaning, does anyone have any proven suggestions other than what I've seen on youtube?

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Well... There is a "Cat Pipe" that you could install in place of your converter. Not to break the law - but to test and prove the theory that your CAT might be Clogged.

Chances are that is the problem...

 

[Mogman]

I refitted my 92 with a turbo GEP, it has no muffler or cat and it is anemic in power output and the only time I can tell it has a turbo is when it is idling, just a fluttering of the exhaust, it has never had any "whine" at all.
But a plugged cat certainly would not help that crapfest of an engine for sure.

 

[Mainsail]

If you have a turbo, then get rid of the cat and the muffler and let your engine live free .

At least gut the cat for God's sake .

I crawled under mine after work with that very intention, took a look at the work involved, calculated the time it would take me between then and dinner, and put the tools away.

 

[rcamacho]

Common problem.

Test for restriction…
Replace with legal replacement…

Members should stop talking about modification or elimination of emission equipment on this forum perhaps


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[jake20]

I have a 2007 M1151A1 which has had a chronic problem of spitting soot and when hard accelerating will trail a thin stream of black smoke. I am also of the opinion that it is somewhat overly anemic in power output. Also, I have never been able to hear an audible turbo "whine" even with aggressive throttle changes. So, after reading up on possible causes, I decided to pull the catalytic converter to gauge it's condition. I am assuming the black is soot and the grey is carbon deposits (?). So, is this a "gunked up" or clogged cat? I was only able to take pics of the discharge end of the cat. I tried to insert a flashlight into the forward end but was unable to see any light through the medium. If needing cleaning, does anyone have any proven suggestions other than what I've seen on youtube?

View attachment 899797 View attachment 899798

I think we spoke about this on my 1151 thread, I just drove the truck without the cat for a few miles to see what it felt like. Drove like a beast after I yanked it. Did you drive it after removing? Just don’t go for too long because your down pipe heats up the trans tunnel pretty quick heh

 

[jake20]

On top of that I definitely heard the turbo at that point, woke it up like I would never have expected.

 

[jake20]

Curious to see how cleaning it out went, seems like you got quite a bit of soot out per the other thread? Any difference in power?

 

[HoveringHMMWV]

No significant increase in power. But I drove it pretty good since and it seems to be blowing less soot. At least the back left corner of the slant back is less spotty with soot. Next project is to inspect the turbo and, if needed, replace the cartridge.