If it is indeed the substrate inside the CAT breaking up,  you need to
remove and replace it now before it breaks up in chunks and clogs your
muffler. When this happens, you can lose power and overheat your engine.

Robert

1982 Westfalia

>>Just in the last couple of weeks, I've started to hear a sort of rattling
noise from the rear.  It becomes faster and more pronounced as I step on the
gas.  Upon closer inspection, it seems to be coming from the catalytic
converter which, I assume, is original equipment.  I have a 90 multivan with
about 148,000 miles and it was successfully smogged about a year ago so I
have another year to go before another.  My questions are:  Is this noise
typical for a failing cat?  Are they difficult to change out?  And if I just
live with it for now, will there be increasing noise or other consequences?
I did search the archives but these things weren't covered.

Thanks, Debra<<

Robert
1982 Westfalia 1987 Wolfsburg