Blown exhaust

[edwardmk]

One moment the ZT190 was humming along quietly, next moment we sounded like a tractor. Had a new exhaust recently, but it's the bit in front of the new exhaust which has blown. Failed catalytic convertor is the diagnosis. Ouch. Not a cheap repair. My question is 'Can I damage the car running it for a few days with a leaking catalytic convertor?' The engine warning light has come on which I assume is because of the blown component. Also, what are the chances of three cars all failing at the same time?

[slovcan]

Originally Posted by edwardmk

One moment the ZT190 was humming along quietly, next moment we sounded like a tractor. Had a new exhaust recently, but it's the bit in front of the new exhaust which has blown. Failed catalytic convertor is the diagnosis. Ouch. Not a cheap repair. My question is 'Can I damage the car running it for a few days with a leaking catalytic convertor?' The engine warning light has come on which I assume is because of the blown component. Also, what are the chances of three cars all failing at the same time?

I believe the flex pipe is incorporated into the catalytic converter. It's that flex pipe that goes bad making a loud exhaust. When the cat goes bad, it usually restricts flow. These days, though, it would take some pretty long term abuse to plug up a cat. I expect that is why they diagnosed it as a failed catalytic converter. SO, I think you can get a universal flex pipe of the correct size, cut off the broken flex pipe and weld on the new one. That's what I'd do.