Do I need a new Catalytic Converter?

RAYMARQUISE

MEMBER
1994 PLYMOUTH VOYAGER
215,000 MILES

1994 Plymouth Voyager
Odometer: 216000 Kilometers
Engine: 3L, 6 cylinder
(engine rebuilt about 4 years ago)

I live in Toronto, Canada where we need an emission test every 2 years.
I did the emission test last year, and passed, but not by much. My mechanic said I would need to change my catalytic converter to pass the test next year. I can afford to change it now, but need a second opinion as to whether changing the catalytic will improve my results compared to
last year. Here are the results from last year:

ASM 2525/CURB IDLE TAILPIPE EMISSIONS RESULTS:

ASM 2525 TEST====================== CURB IDLE TEST
Limit--- Reading--- Result=====Limit ReadingResult
HC ppm -0054 ----0046 PASS=======02000038PASS
CO % ---00.30 ---00.03PASS=======01.0000.01PASS
NO ppm--757583PASS=======N/A N/AN/A
RPM 1988 VALID =====RPM ---0781VALID
Dilution -14, 73 VALID =====Dilution 14, 21 VALID

Can anyone interpret these results?
Any help will be greatly appreciated.

Ray

5 Replies

DRCRANKNWRENCH

MECHANIC
3,380 POSTS

Youi can have other issues besides just passing the emissions test, which you certainly will.
One of the things that happens on cars with your mileage is that the converter collaposes in on itself and it clogs the exhaust path. This will cause problems in an emissions test but more than that the performance will be so bad it will be hard to rev the motor very high. Then you get problems with back pressure and deposits from the exhaust not escaping and that causes issues if you wait to long to fix the exhaust.
I recommend replacing the converter and having the entire exhaust checked for leaks. If you have never done it, you should replace the oxygen sensor. Another good idea is a general tune up and then run a can or two of SEA FOAM fuel system cleaner.

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Thursday, May 24th, 2012 AT 5:23 AM

CADIEMAN

MECHANIC
3,544 POSTS

Make sure u change the oil and filter before u go.

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Thursday, May 24th, 2012 AT 6:07 AM

WRENCHTECH

MECHANIC
20,757 POSTS

As you were told at the other site, those are all passing measurements to there isn't anything to analyze or predict. Wait until you actually fail something.

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Thursday, May 24th, 2012 AT 9:59 AM

RAYMARQUISE

MEMBER
4 POSTS

Thanks for the responses. What I want to know is - are my readings caused by a bad Catalytic or something else, like worn piston rings etc? I don't want to change the Catalytic if it won't improve my test results.

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Thursday, May 24th, 2012 AT 2:48 PM

WRENCHTECH