05-18-2015, 06:19 PM | #1 |
Captain
451
Rep 845
Posts |
Melted Cat
Ladies and Gents:
I melted my catalytic converter from (I presume) track abuse. Don't worry, they fixed it under warranty, but I am going to go get the Fabspeed HJS Cattled Downpipe to swap in from now on -- I can't afford to keep melting these things (BMW might get suspicious). The shop foreman at Santa Monica BMW called me and said "Yep, looks like a lava flow in there." He was pretty cool about it actually. Props to them. Anyway, for those of you who track a lot, please be advised... |
05-18-2015, 06:58 PM | #4 |
Captain
451
Rep 845
Posts |
|
Appreciate
0
|
05-18-2015, 07:43 PM | #5 | |
Major General
1406
Rep 5,262
Posts |
Quote:
|
|
Appreciate
0
|
05-18-2015, 08:19 PM | #6 |
Captain
451
Rep 845
Posts |
|
Appreciate
0
|
05-18-2015, 10:09 PM | #7 | |
What goes here?
454
Rep 1,356
Posts
Drives: 2019 G30 M550i
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Florida Space Coast
iTrader: (4)
Garage List 2019 BMW M550i [0.00]
2021 BMW M3 Competi ... [0.00] 2019 BMW M5 Competi ... [0.00] 2016 BMW M3 [0.00] 2014 BMW M235i [0.00] |
Quote:
__________________
2019 G30 M550i
GBNF: 2021 G80 M3, 2019 F90 M5 Competition, 2016 F80 M3, 2014 F22 M235i |
|
Appreciate
0
|
05-19-2015, 07:05 AM | #9 |
Second Lieutenant
51
Rep 269
Posts |
yeah, I meant brake pad wear sensor. They wanted $200 to change it out and clear the code. I paid $8 for one on rock auto and will have Markert Motor Works here in Atlanta clear the code for me and code the rest of the car for much less.
|
Appreciate
0
|
05-19-2015, 10:32 AM | #10 |
Captain
451
Rep 845
Posts |
Okay, just ordered my new Fabspeed Downpipe with HJS Cat. Hopefully that will fix the problem. I'm going to the dealer today to pick my car up -- if they still have the melted pipe I'll take pictures.
|
Appreciate
0
|
05-19-2015, 01:05 PM | #12 |
Captain
451
Rep 845
Posts |
|
Appreciate
0
|
05-19-2015, 01:49 PM | #13 |
Major
330
Rep 1,084
Posts |
|
Appreciate
0
|
05-19-2015, 01:53 PM | #14 |
Captain
451
Rep 845
Posts |
|
Appreciate
0
|
05-19-2015, 02:06 PM | #15 |
Major
330
Rep 1,084
Posts |
|
Appreciate
0
|
05-19-2015, 02:12 PM | #16 |
What goes here?
454
Rep 1,356
Posts
Drives: 2019 G30 M550i
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Florida Space Coast
iTrader: (4)
Garage List 2019 BMW M550i [0.00]
2021 BMW M3 Competi ... [0.00] 2019 BMW M5 Competi ... [0.00] 2016 BMW M3 [0.00] 2014 BMW M235i [0.00] |
Longstanding bugaboo with many cars, aftermarket 'sport' cats just do not seem to have the durability as an OEM cat used within its limits.
__________________
2019 G30 M550i
GBNF: 2021 G80 M3, 2019 F90 M5 Competition, 2016 F80 M3, 2014 F22 M235i |
Appreciate
0
|
05-19-2015, 02:13 PM | #17 |
Captain
451
Rep 845
Posts |
|
Appreciate
2
|
05-19-2015, 02:23 PM | #18 |
Major
330
Rep 1,084
Posts |
To be clear, the bugaboo is the unavailability of a catted downpipe that works reliably with the BMW ECU on a long-term basis.
|
Appreciate
0
|
05-19-2015, 02:47 PM | #19 |
Captain
451
Rep 845
Posts |
|
Appreciate
0
|
05-20-2015, 10:41 AM | #20 |
Captain
451
Rep 845
Posts |
You know, I've been thinking about it, and I am not so certain the catalytic converter should have melted here. I've been reading up on the causes of cat meltdowns like this, and normally they are due to engine misfires, running very rich, blown 02 sensor, fuel injectors, etc. My car has none of these problems.
Considering how melted down the cat was, I'm starting to come to the conclusion that this is a design defect with either the cat (or that cat was defective), or this variation of the N55 engine. It just shouldn't have this kind of problem, even from putting the car on track. It's a goddamn BMW. It's not like I'm banging off the rev-limiter all day and putting incredible stress on the engine, or making the engine itself too hot (it actually runs quite cool -- about 240 F) on the track. Anyone have any insight on this? Last edited by Liquidpaper; 05-20-2015 at 10:48 AM.. |
Appreciate
0
|
05-20-2015, 06:29 PM | #21 |
Second Lieutenant
51
Rep 269
Posts |
this is true. The only time I have melted a cat was when I accidentally switched the ignition wires to 2 cylinders when installing a supercharger kit on my old 350z.
I've got a ton of track time, but all of it is without cats on my 370z racecar. One hard trackday on the 2 and no issues though. If it was from running hard, I don't think you would be the only one, as others also track theirs. |
Appreciate
0
|
05-21-2015, 11:52 AM | #22 |
Captain
455
Rep 986
Posts |
http://www.bmwe34.net/E34main/Trouble/Catalyticconv.htm
Most likely too rich, raw fuel hits the hot cat and ignites making it hotter and melts |
Appreciate
0
|
Post Reply |
Bookmarks |
|
|