Well, I just purchased a new to me Z and it has a bad exhaust smell in the interior, especially after high revs. P/O took it into a muffler shop for the same reason, and they told him it had test pipes on it. So I looked under the car to verify before I bought stock cats. And to my surprise they look like cats and not regular test pipes. When driving the car there is a sort of rattling (coins in a can type) noise that happens at above 2k rpm. Its a cold day here in FL and I don't see any white smoke coming out anywhere except the tail pipe so I don't think its just a leak, there isn't any whooshing noise either. The interior smell is bad, and standing behind the tailpipe (trunk area) is unbearable.



So my question to you is: Is there anyway to tell that the CAT is hollowed out without taking it off and inspecting the inside?


Or maybe you have other suggestions on why the exhaust is so strong?


Thanks in advance.

 

This is the kind of problem a PRE-purchase inspection by a qualified and trusted mechanic will prevent.

You're probably going to have to have the exhaust system taken apart to find out what's causing the smell and the noise.

 

sounds to me like you have either stock cats or hfcs, and there's a good chance some or most of the catalyst material in them is cracked/broken/falling apart. that's the rattling sound you hear on engine vibration and movement above 2k rpm

 

Welcome. Sorry no way to tell that I know of.

 

Googled "hfcs". Only result is high fructose corn syrup.

Yep, that would explain the bad smelling exhaust.

 

has your engine light come on yet for 0420 or 0430 yet? those codes are triggered for sub par cat performance on the right and left sides, respectively. so if you have test pipes, or a problem with your cats, those codes should appear if checked with an OBD2

 

I talked to the stealer about a pre q inspection and he said they don't even check any of that. Their 89 dollar 100 point inspection deal only covers fluids, chassis, electronics, and safety stuff. (I bought the car over the internet unseen except for trust in the p/o and pictures/carfax) (I expected this kind of stuff so its not frighting. I like the car overall just minor things need to be fixed) I drove it about 150miles so and only one code poped up out of no where. a knock sensor and throttle position. Cleared them and they haven't came back yet. (Given its only been like 30 miles).

I guess ill have to take off the cat to check it out.

 

thanks for the find

 

if theres a problem with the cats, im surprised you dont have a code yet...

 

Codes just popped back up 0327 and 1273. Knock sensor and the second code is a/f mix sens 1? Its not in the 04 manual but Google searched it and that's what a guy on another forum came up with.

Anyone in the FWB/Pensecola/Panama City area have stock cats for sale? Cant post in the wanted section yet : P

 

It's an '04 car? If not, I have a set of 07-08 cats I need to sell if they will work for ya.

 

Yea its a 04 M/T Performance

 

My bets are resonated test pipes, take a quick pic of them will let us know.

BTW take it to your seller to have the codes "fixed" not just reset.

 

As req, one of the pictures looks like it has a crack down the joint of the pipe doesnt it?

 

wow, thats some ugly welding.

Those are not factory parts at all.

 

terrasmak is right. They look more like resonated test pipes. Anyone have ultimate racing hfcs? Do they smell as bad as test pipes? Or closer to stock with minimal odor?

Im thinking new cats will fix my air fuel problem and hopefully the knock sensor since it could just be a o2 fuel issue.? Maybe ? Possibly?

 

Looks like genital warts on me pipes

 

Any cat should eliminate the exhaust smell really. Noise should be minimal as well.

 

Those are resonated test pipes for sure.

 

HFC have the O2 sensor behind the "cat part" , resonated test pipes as shown have the resonater behind the o2 sensor. Those are probably Megan V1 or some other cheap brand.