Catalytic convert heating up

jimed · Post by **jimed** » Mon May 14, 2007 4:12 pm

I just got the bike started up after letting her set this winter. Rode her around the block and noticed that the catalytic converter was glowing red-hot. IT too no time at all for it to heat up and I mean it was hot. The exhaust gasses are a lot hotter then normal as well. Any idea on what is causing this and what type of fix I am looking at.

Post by **OU812** » Mon May 14, 2007 4:50 pm

Maybe some mice got in there.

Sunbeemer · Post by **Sunbeemer** » Mon May 14, 2007 4:59 pm

How did the bike run? Sounds like you could have had a lot of (uncombusted) gas building up in there (like one cylinder wasn't firing) and it "burned" in the converter.

Post by **OU812** » Mon May 14, 2007 5:19 pm

Rich, good call, I have not had that happen in years.

But I have had mice in my snowmobile's pipes.

jimed · Post by **jimed** » Mon May 14, 2007 7:11 pm

the bike ran ok but sounded a little rough. and i was affraid to do anything else utill i figured out what was going on. if the gas is in there will it be ok to run it and try to get rid of it or what? i need some help bad. thanks

Capt. Blackadder · Post by **Capt. Blackadder** » Mon May 14, 2007 9:41 pm

Unless some furry critters have made a nest for themselves in the air cleaner box, I'd first suspect stale gas. Siphon out as much as you can of the old stuff, then top it up with fresh premium. See how it runs after that.

Post by **OU812** » Mon May 14, 2007 10:28 pm

non-ABS The only kind I know!

jimed · Post by **jimed** » Mon May 14, 2007 11:23 pm

thanks, i tried that. actualy while the bike was put up this winter the battery went deed, so i dumped the tank and the gas in there is new. the bike ran great before and it is just driving me nuts. also replaced the plugs. it was hard to get it to start up untill the new plugs and then no problem except the glowing converter.

R4R&R · Post by **R4R&R** » Tue May 15, 2007 9:53 am

OU812 wrote:Maybe some mice got in there.

That's what it soudns like to me.....I would pull the muffler off for starters and try to feel down in the converter for nesting material. And like Capt. Blackadder says, check the airbox too.

Post by **cricman** » Tue May 15, 2007 8:50 pm

Did it smell like tiny furry steaks on a titanium and paladium coated BBQ grill? Or just the rubbish that those little vermin leave behind after they turned your exhaust system into Winterhaven Part II?

cricman

jimed · Post by **jimed** » Tue May 15, 2007 9:19 pm

thanks all, i beleive it was just the fuel gathering. I did find a lose spark plug wire so it was not firing properly. now it is running like a charm.