Classic symptoms of a broken catalytic converter.  It'll only get worse over
time.  Either replace the catalytic converter or try to knock the honeycomb
interior of the catalytic converter out.
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Tom Young                       '81 Vanagon
Lafayette, CA 94549         '82 Westfalia
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----- Original Message -----
From: "Shawn Luft" <shawnagan@SYMPATICO.CA>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Monday, July 12, 2004 7:32 PM
Subject: Catalytic Converter Clogged ?

Hello

I suspect my catalytic converter is blocked up because of the following
symptoms :

(1) the van recently blew a hole through the "j" elbow pipe just prior to
the catalytic converter

(2) something is making a rattling noise inside the catalytic converter

(3) i replaced elbow pipe but seem to have air escaping between the gasket
of the catalytic converter and the new pipe.

(4) van works ok but since replacing the elbow pipe the van seems to have a
20% loss in power.

Is it possible the cat is clogged, and caused the elbow pipe to blow a hole
(for air to escape) ??

Is it possible that the new pipe has no hole, so pressure is collecting
again inside a bad cat and causing the loss of power?

We are leaving for holidays on Friday and I want to everything as great as
possible.

Any comments are much appreciated.

Thx
Shawn