this is a sign of to much oxygen in the exhaust.  In other words
a lean mixture.  Check for vacuum leaks

            Eric                   86-VW4x4
            vw4x4@fyi.net          86-SS Syncro
            Pittsburgh, PA USA     1936-Chrysler
                                   92-Jetta GWC
            www.fyi.net/~vw4x4/vw4x4.htm

On Fri, 19 Sep 2003, lauterba wrote:

> I think that I have a clogged catalytic converter, but I would like to get the wisdom of the list before ordering a new one.
>
> I have about 30 miles on my rebuilt 1.9L WBX.  Just about everything is new on the engine except for the ECU.  Grounds are clean and tight.  I had it out tonight near dusk and drove abut 15 miles.  New engine has had a great deal of difficulty getting up to speed, no pep, etc.  When I got home I found that the muffler end of the catalytic converter was red hot along with part of the muffler.
>
> The catalytic converter was out of the van for about five weeks while I was doing the engine transplant.  No problems before I took it out.
>
> John Lauterbach
> Macon, GA
> '84 7-passenger
>