I easily passed emissions in Phoenix for several years with a gutted
converter on a 1.9l.  Not making a recommendation, but . . .

Karl Wolz

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On
Behalf Of
> Aerowolf
> Sent: Monday, July 12, 2004 9:11 PM
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: Re: Catalytic Converter Clogged ?
>
> Be aware that the catalytic converter is an integral part of the
> emissions control system, so if you need to get your vehicle
> emissions-inspected, it's best to replace it.
>
> (Many states exempt vehicles over 20 years old from emissions testing.
>  Arizona [Pima and Maricopa counties], however, does not, and there
> are undoubtedly other places with the same requirements.)
>
> Just a thought, and something to keep in mind.
>
> -Kyle
>
> On Mon, 12 Jul 2004 23:12:42 -0400, Jonathan Farrugia
> <jfarrugi@umich.edu> wrote:
> > i would wear a respirator while you do this i have heard the
"insulator"
> > fibrous material is a carcinogen.  that said take the cat off and
run a
> > rod through it until you have all the material out.  its mostly
ceramic so
> > it breaks up pretty easily.
> >
> > jonathan
> >
> >
> >
> > On Mon, 12 Jul 2004, Shawn Luft wrote:
> >
> > > Tom,
> > >
> > > I'd like clean out my cat for testing purposes.  What's the best
way to
> > > hollow it out ?
> > >
> > > Thanks !
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > ----- Original Message -----
> > > From: "Tom Young" <tomyoung1@comcast.net>
> > > To: "Shawn Luft" <shawnagan@SYMPATICO.CA>;
> <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
> > > Sent: Monday, July 12, 2004 10:44 PM
> > > Subject: Re: Catalytic Converter Clogged ?
> > >
> > >
> > > > 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.
> > > > ---------------------------------------------------------------
> > > > Tom Young                       '81 Vanagon
> > > > Lafayette, CA 94549         '82 Westfalia
> > > > ---------------------------------------------------------------
> > > > ----- 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
> > > >
> > >
> >