Zoltan,
Sounds like you are running way too rich. This would explain the cold
exhaust pipes (cooled by raw gas) and the red hot cat trying to burn all the
gas vaporized in the exhaust pipes.

Did you pinch (short out) the O2 sensor? Leaking injector?

Check out my Oxygen sensor monitor  on my web site. This would have helped
diagnose the problem.

Ken Lewis
http://neksiwel.20m.com/
----- Original Message -----
From: "Zoltan" <zolo@FOXINTERNET.NET>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Friday, January 07, 2005 2:08 AM
Subject: [VANAGON] Red hot cat. converter

I have just started an engine that I changed gaskets on and after awhile I
noticed that the catalitic converter is getting red hot and the muffler too.
What makes it to do it?  The engine is not hot at all.  The exhaust pipes
are cold enough to hold them by hand.  I am puzzled.
Zoltan