LT1-LT4 Modifications 1993-97 Gen II Small Block V8

Will a clogged cat prevent a car from starting?

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Old Jan 17, 2006 | 05:36 PM
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Default Will a clogged cat prevent a car from starting?

95 LT1 and Ive done everything, replaced fuel pump (plenty of gas coming now) changed plugs, oil and nothing...
cranks strong but no start...
will a clogged cat do that?
How do I check?
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Old Jan 17, 2006 | 05:40 PM
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No but it would cause preformance and running issues....Do you have ignition??
Need to supply a bit more info on what let up to your problems.
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Old Jan 17, 2006 | 06:07 PM
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Originally Posted by Hamster Dance
95 LT1 and Ive done everything, replaced fuel pump (plenty of gas coming now) changed plugs, oil and nothing...
cranks strong but no start...
will a clogged cat do that?
How do I check?
If stopped up badly enough, it actually can. I had vehicle brought to my tune up shop with a no-start situation, and that was what was wrong. If you think that is the case, just pull an 02 sensor. That will allow enough exhaust flow to start and idle at least. Pretty rare, but it does happen.

Good luck, Ed
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Old Jan 17, 2006 | 07:11 PM
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Car shut off on me in the driveway...no fuel pressure...checked shrader valve
installed new Walbro 255 pump, new fuel filter as well
Got plenty of gas up front...
car started on first crank just by turning they key through the window...
Jumped in for ride with my buddy, drove about 5 minutes total, occasionally
stomping on it, no big deal, car ran great...
pull back in my driveway, car shuts off on its own, wont restart...
got it restarted and it idled for 5 minutes...put it in gear and it shut off
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Old Jan 17, 2006 | 07:12 PM
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Originally Posted by Ed Wright
If stopped up badly enough, it actually can. I had vehicle brought to my tune up shop with a no-start situation, and that was what was wrong. If you think that is the case, just pull an 02 sensor. That will allow enough exhaust flow to start and idle at least. Pretty rare, but it does happen.

Good luck, Ed
I am going to go try that now...
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Old Jan 17, 2006 | 07:24 PM
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Uhh, how do you get the sensor off? I tried tugging on the manifold and
nothing happens...http://shbox.com/1/ho2.jpg
arent there two? Which one do I unhook? The one by the oil filter?
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Old Jan 17, 2006 | 07:51 PM
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If that cat is clogged it wont run great, the car would be slugish, quiet and run very hot.
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Old Jan 17, 2006 | 07:55 PM
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Originally Posted by Bizzzatch350
If that cat is clogged it wont run great, the car would be slugish, quiet and run very hot.
Sounds less like the cat then...damn...
it wont even start...
can you scan the car if it wont start?\
AutoTap?
The local Tuffy said they couldnt do diganostics if it wont start
a garage down the street said they would charge $70 an hour for diagnotics
but they want $50 for the tow down there...which I dont have a problem with
but I dont want them jerking me around like Tuffy...
who wanted to foot me with a $1400 bill for everything
wires, plugs, cap and rotor, water pump, oil change and still wont guarantee \
that will solve the problem
I also cleaned the MAF by soaking it in Dawn...didnt scrub, just soak
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Old Jan 17, 2006 | 08:11 PM
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Whats it doing when you try to start it, crank? I dont think thats how your supose to clean a MAF, try unplugging it and seeing if it will start.
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Old Jan 17, 2006 | 08:16 PM
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Originally Posted by Bizzzatch350
Whats it doing when you try to start it, crank? I dont think thats how your supose to clean a MAF, try unplugging it and seeing if it will start.
I took off the entire air assembly, car should still start though...
so the MAF is not even an issue now..
Normally they say rotten eggs is the sign of a bad cat
dont smell anything but fuel...
Why the heck wont it START!!!
its not a leaking injector IMO, I have had the car off for 2 hours now,
just checked the shrader valve and theres still pressure in the line
let me grab a hammer and pound on the cat and see if anything rattles...
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Old Jan 17, 2006 | 08:17 PM
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If clogged bad enough, it will not run. I recently saw this on a 305TPI, and a long time ago on an LT1.
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Old Jan 17, 2006 | 08:27 PM
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check for spark it takes more than just fuel for an engine to run. The chances of a cat being that restricted are very slim
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Old Jan 17, 2006 | 08:28 PM
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Not to sound ignorant,, but have you checked if you have spark. You have not mentioned if you had any. you can have all the gas you want, if you have no spark.........then no run

ok so im a little late
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Old Jan 17, 2006 | 08:45 PM
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Originally Posted by flame
The chances of a cat being that restricted are very slim
You're right, usually only 2 ways:

1. The pre-cats disintegrate due to heat & vibration (on vehicles so equipped.)

2. The cat itself gets whacked and crumbles in on itself, plugging the passages.
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Old Jan 17, 2006 | 08:54 PM
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Just unplugged the O2 sensor by the oil filter...man was it a you know what...
had to use a two by four to whack on the crescent wrench...finally got it off
still no start...
How do I check for spark?
Can I just have my buddy just hold the wire while I crank?
Can I just have him pull one at a time and check to see if theres any fire coming through the plug?
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Old Jan 17, 2006 | 09:17 PM
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hook up a spare plug or remove a spark plug, ground it out, crank it over and look for spark.
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Old Jan 17, 2006 | 10:26 PM
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Is this a good buy? Is it a direct replacement for both my optispark and cap and rotor? I recognize the distributor, but the other object doesnt even look remotely related to my cap and rotor...

http://www.jegs.com/webapp/wcs/store...tegoryId=26919
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Old Jan 17, 2006 | 10:40 PM
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I can't believe you guys are still responding to this thread. It's BS
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Old Jan 17, 2006 | 11:31 PM
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Originally Posted by 97Formy
I can't believe you guys are still responding to this thread. It's BS
why? im having the exact same problem.
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Old Jan 17, 2006 | 11:33 PM
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How hard to replace just the coil?
I think I can get one at Autozone for like $15...
alot cheaper alternative compared to the new opti...
Can I do it in a day or so?
Where the hell do I find a new coil wire anyway?
I dont think it comes with one...
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