How can you tell if the Catalytic Converter is clogged?
 

is there a way to tell?

Get an exhaust back pressure gauge. Above-normal back pressure is a pretty decisive sign of a clogged cat.

Drivability-wise, acceleration will drop off significantly, along with fuel economy. Crankcase pressure will increase. The converter itself can also overheat, although that isn't necessarily a sign of a clog (rich mixture can do that too).

When one of the cats plugged up on my V8, the difference was audible -- the exhaust sounded constricted during acceleration.

Ditto!
Check exhaust back pressure with a pressure gauge, after removing the front O2 sensor and connecting an adaptor.

Should have LESS than 1 psi at idle & LESS than 1.5 psi at 2500 RPM.

thanks for the responses mbdoc and maki.

I think that I myself is the problem. After driving diesels for so long, I've gotten spoiled by the diesel torque. When I drive the gas car, the torque just isn't there especially on take off. I believe the car is normal.

I now believe that once you drive a diesel, it's hard to go back to gas.

Had a vehicle that slowly clogged the converter.

Along with the other suggestions above, my vehicle slowly overheated under load along with the weak performance.


I long for the day I can try out a diesel MB car. I've only gotten to drive gas engines by them!