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  #1  
Old 10-17-2009, 11:23 AM
MarlboroMan MarlboroMan is offline
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Default Hello all. I need help

I have a problem with my Astro and am wondering if any one can help.
I am thinking the problem is the catalytic converter, but not sure. The converter was rattling about a month ago but stopped shortly before this problem occurred. I went to take my daughter to school one day and it ran fine, but when I went to pick her back up I tried to merge with traffic and it bogged down. Anyway I was messing with it today and with it in park I put the pedal to the floor. It bogged down bad probably around 3500 rpm's. After releasing the pedal the engine shook real bad for about 15 seconds then went back to idling normal and smooth. So now I know it is not the transmission. I have replaced the fuel filter already. It starts fine, idles fine and drives fine under 35 mph. I am disappointed that the converter is welded on rather than a bolt on. If this sounds like the converter or something else please let me know, cause it has me confused. All the cars I have ever owned this is the 1st time I had one with this problem.

Thanks for looking.
Tony
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  #2  
Old 10-18-2009, 04:21 AM
MarlboroMan MarlboroMan is offline
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bumping this one, sorry anyone?
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  #3  
Old 10-18-2009, 05:17 AM
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1Gary 1Gary is online now
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Yepper Tony-sure does sound like the cat to me too.Remove the O2 sensor just before the cat and see if that doesn't make it run better.If it does,sure enough its the cat.
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Old 10-18-2009, 06:45 PM
MarlboroMan MarlboroMan is offline
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Alright thanks Gary, I will remove the O2 sensor and see, I didn't know about doing that. Thanks for the help.

Last edited by MarlboroMan; 10-19-2009 at 08:01 AM.
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Old 10-19-2009, 07:30 AM
ihatemybike ihatemybike is offline
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Sound like what my 1994 did when it's cat broke apart. At the time it wasn't registered in an emissions zone so I disconnected the exhaust behind the cat and used a pipe and hammer to break it up even more then ran/revved the engine to blow the pieces out. Van ran fine after that.

If you try this, collect the pieces you blow out, that platinum is worth some dough.
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Aaron

1999 Astro (Green - Daily Driver)
2WD, 4.3L, 3.23, 180k+ miles, FE2 steering

1997 Astro (Grumpy - $250 Rally Van)
AWD, 4.3L, 3.42, 308k+ miles original engine and transmission, $30 eBay fuel pump

1997 Astro (25% Off - Parts Van)
Bought to steal parts off for Grumpy, but I want to try getting the engine running.

My CarDomain
Prev Astros:2000, 1994, 1987, 1986
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  #6  
Old 10-19-2009, 08:04 AM
MarlboroMan MarlboroMan is offline
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I live in an area where we have emission testing unfortunately. But I almost just cut it off and replaced it with flex pipe shortly before making my first post. So tempting to do this until I have money to fix it properly, I miss my van so much.
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Old 10-19-2009, 11:57 AM
ihatemybike ihatemybike is offline
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What year is your van? How do they test vehicles in your area? When is your van due for it's next test? With the new ODBII plug-in testing it's possible to cheat the after cat O2 sensor and pass.
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Aaron

1999 Astro (Green - Daily Driver)
2WD, 4.3L, 3.23, 180k+ miles, FE2 steering

1997 Astro (Grumpy - $250 Rally Van)
AWD, 4.3L, 3.42, 308k+ miles original engine and transmission, $30 eBay fuel pump

1997 Astro (25% Off - Parts Van)
Bought to steal parts off for Grumpy, but I want to try getting the engine running.

My CarDomain
Prev Astros:2000, 1994, 1987, 1986
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  #8  
Old 10-20-2009, 08:48 AM
MarlboroMan MarlboroMan is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ihatemybike View Post
What year is your van? How do they test vehicles in your area? When is your van due for it's next test? With the new ODBII plug-in testing it's possible to cheat the after cat O2 sensor and pass.

My van is a 92. They test two different ways depending on the age of the vehicle, 1. Plugging in to the vehicle and 2. The old probe in tailpipe.

If I am not mistaken they used the probe on it. But I am not sure. Next test is due in June.
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Old 10-20-2009, 11:11 PM
ihatemybike ihatemybike is offline
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1992 definitely tail pipe probe, no O2 cheat for you. 1996 and newer a lot of them have switched to just relying on the ODBII data.

Since you have till June, I'd wipe out the cat. Sell the platinum and reinvest it in the replacement.
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Aaron

1999 Astro (Green - Daily Driver)
2WD, 4.3L, 3.23, 180k+ miles, FE2 steering

1997 Astro (Grumpy - $250 Rally Van)
AWD, 4.3L, 3.42, 308k+ miles original engine and transmission, $30 eBay fuel pump

1997 Astro (25% Off - Parts Van)
Bought to steal parts off for Grumpy, but I want to try getting the engine running.

My CarDomain
Prev Astros:2000, 1994, 1987, 1986
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  #10  
Old 11-14-2009, 11:32 PM
MarlboroMan MarlboroMan is offline
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Well it wasn't the Cat after all. Took it to my mechanic. He removed the Cat to find out it was less than a year old. It was actually junk from the old Cat that clogged up in the exhaust system. i should get it back on Monday, and I can't wait. But thanks to Gary and everyone that replied.
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02 , 1997 , astro , awd , cheating , chevy , emissions , impala , marlboroman , sensors , test , van


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