At 23:04 8/25/99 -0500, Christopher Arnold wrote:
>running the A/C.   What I have noticed lust recently (about the same at the
>higher temps) is a heavy rattle which seems to be originating at the
>muffler (which is rusty and sounded semi-perforated before).  The rattle
>goes away when the engine is a little above idle.

Sounds to me as though the CAT element has disintegrated and is plugging
the exhaust.   That will give you lots of back-pressure etc. and is a known
failure point.  Bentley say to take the cat off and look through it from
both sides; should be a fine regular grid.  If it looks melted and busted
it's bad.  If it looks good, "while holding converter vertically, firmly
tap flange onto solid wood from a distance of 8 inches (both ends).  It
shouldn't make any noise. I don't think you're going to need the second test...

Bus Depot has replacements for about $100 I believe.

david
David Beierl - Providence, RI
'84 Westy "Dutiful Passage"
'85 GL "Poor Relation"