LONG STORY SHORT
My check engine light is on for 421 and 431. Ive suspected it was the cats and not the O2 sensor. My cats have never gotten red, glowed or had any issues with sputtering like they describe when its clogged. Exhaust has pressure when I put my hand over the tailpipe ends. Exhaust pipe temps are roughly the same throughout so it seems hot air is moving through just fine.
My problem is, I finally got around to saving some money to order the parts but I'm noticing my cats normal temps are 900 to 1200 driving to work (non highway) and from what I can tell, this is totally normal. When cats are clogged they are upwards of 1700 or so.
I think the guy before me gutted the cat to fix that issue but in turn still has the same CEL, just the engine wont blow itself up now.
actual question way down here
Best way to check this is remove the O2 and put a light in the bung and look for the honeycomb/mesh? I assume you can see it from the hole.
also was wondering if anyone had their normal operating temps for their cats?
(google yields 600 to 900 degrees and again 900 to 1200 degrees and again 1000 to 1600 all are normal for the Mazda 6 and well, im pretty sure thats not true and most of those cars had issues because the variance is too big)
Thanks!
My check engine light is on for 421 and 431. Ive suspected it was the cats and not the O2 sensor. My cats have never gotten red, glowed or had any issues with sputtering like they describe when its clogged. Exhaust has pressure when I put my hand over the tailpipe ends. Exhaust pipe temps are roughly the same throughout so it seems hot air is moving through just fine.
My problem is, I finally got around to saving some money to order the parts but I'm noticing my cats normal temps are 900 to 1200 driving to work (non highway) and from what I can tell, this is totally normal. When cats are clogged they are upwards of 1700 or so.
I think the guy before me gutted the cat to fix that issue but in turn still has the same CEL, just the engine wont blow itself up now.
actual question way down here
Best way to check this is remove the O2 and put a light in the bung and look for the honeycomb/mesh? I assume you can see it from the hole.
also was wondering if anyone had their normal operating temps for their cats?
(google yields 600 to 900 degrees and again 900 to 1200 degrees and again 1000 to 1600 all are normal for the Mazda 6 and well, im pretty sure thats not true and most of those cars had issues because the variance is too big)
Thanks!