Diving Sunday when I pulled off for gas the car stumbled a bit and idle dropped very low. I shut it down and got some fuel. On starting she would hardly run then I got it going and headed for home ( 3mi ) running ok but clearly not quite right, she suddenly choked, sputtered and died. I was going downhill at 50mph. I know they continue fueling when they can't ignite and that can be bad so I switched the ignition off quickly and coasted to a spot I could stop. Cats were smoking hot ( not cherry red ) and crackling sounds coming were from them. I waited for them to cool to a reasonable temp.

Wouldn't start. She tried and would occasionally fire, I'd rev up to keep her going and then choke and die. Eventually got it going again with much starting and drove about a mile towards home. Smoothly for 3/4 a mile then rough again. Died again. Sounded like fuel starvation or bad gas. Drained tank dry. New gas. No change. Will barely run when throttle is played heavily then dies no matter what.

Info:
When it does crank and run it runs smoothly for 5-10 secs then chokes and dies. Pumping accelerator can sometimes make it keep going for 30-40 seconds.
New fuel.
New wires.
New coil.
less than 1000 mi. on new plugs.
30 psi fuel pressure steady.
Used fuel pump and filter when emptying tank. No restriction, 1 Gal./minute flow.
Spark. Hot and blue.
TPS @ .35v
CTS connected and proper reading.

Haven't pulled plugs yet for plug check and done compression tests. That should be telling.

What happens to cat converters that overheat? Could I be stuffed up on the exhaust side?

Does this sound familiar to anyone?

 

From what you describe, you have a blocked exhaust, so I suspect the cats have disintegrated and blocked the exhaust. Remove them and look is the first thing to do. Nothing wrong with the actual engine, I think.
Greg

 

I agree here.

Blocked exhaust is high on my thoughts.

A restricted fuel return line can cause overfueling, and I would visually check that return metal pipe running under the car on the LH side, and the front section is soooooo close to the jacking point, and I have had way too many of these pipes crushed. Tyre fitters are the prime culprits for damaging this pipe.

Also the RH, supply line, can also be damaged, and you will still have pressure at the rail, but flow will be restricted.

 

*fingers crossed*

I didn't check flow through the lines, so I'll definitely pull the return line and do that. I have begun the ceremonial daily application of PB blaster to the downpipe bolts. That and an offering of a small amount of fresh blood ( I'll apply this as I'm wrenching ) is all that's required right?

 

Blood is GOOD.