I got a P0430 error reading---guys at Advanced Auto say my catalytic converter may be clogging. is it safe to drive around until I can get to the shop this week? the check engine light wasn't blinking.

thanks so much for the help!

 

It would take some pretty good heat to melt down the metal in the cat to clogg it up. It isnt ceramic, so you wouldnt likely see the material crumbling and clogging.

 

Cats can clog. Normal operating temp for a cat can be 1200-1600F. At 2000F the aluminum and other metals that make up the cat honeycomb melt. A cat actually generates its own heat as there is a chemical reaction taking place inside to convert inlet hydocarbons into exhaust H2O and CO2. A byproduct of that reaction is heat.

One thing that can cause temps to increase above normal is a rich fuel mixture. More hydrocarbons coming in means larger reaction in the cat leading to more heat.

Another thing that can degrade a cat is oil. If the car us burning oil or blowing oil in the exhaust, the cat will suffer. Motor oil contains phosphorous as a additive. That phosphorous can desposit on the cat material and cause increased heat.

One other thing that can cause the material to come loose is road damage. If something were to hit the cat, the brittle material can break up.

To answer the OPs question...you can drive it, but expect performace to suffer. Look for a used cat from an owner who now uses a TP or if you can get away with it in your state, temporarily get a TP. Or upgrade the cat to:

http://automotivespeed.com/product_i...roducts_id=244

 

P0430 is the wrong # for a convertor. P0420 is the correct code for a faulty convertor.

 

i think when your car gives you a p0420 code its telling you that you need to smoke more


heh j/k

think of this as a chance to get a Test Pipe, trust me when i say it feels like it add's 10wrhp across the entire low to mid range my butt dyno likely