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DetroitWolf

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
Like the title says, just had a tune up done by an ASE certified mechanic and he pulled the cat because it was all blocked up. He thought it would run fine without (I'm not throwing any CELs) and generally it does except when the car is under load and in 1st or 2nd between 1500 and 2200 rpms. At that point it kinda 'chugs' or hesitates sporadically. Also, the car has to be up to full temp and running at full temp for 20 minutes or so. That said, any ideas as to reason??? Thanks.
 
Re: Just had my 2.0 tuned up, removed the cat, now it's chugging. Any ideas? (DetroitWolf)

Quote, originally posted by DetroitWolf »
Like the title says, just had a tune up done by an ASE certified mechanic and he pulled the cat because it was all blocked up.

How was it running when blocked up? Was it hesitating sporatically? Just asking because my Jetta is doing that now and I have been told to check the cat for blockage
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Discussion starter · #6 ·
Re: Just had my 2.0 tuned up, removed the cat, now it's chugging. Any ideas? (bajan01)

When the cat was all blocked up it was running without as much power as normal, but nothing too major. I have heard, however, as the "sheets" within the cat become blocked, they may come loose and move to a position that can completely restrict exhaust flow that will make your car hesitate.
My cat was blocked up around 62k miles. Is that a normal life for one?
Also, as my 2nd post above states, does anyone know if you can run the OBDII 2.0 engine without a cat and what are the consequences? Thanks.
 
Re: Just had my 2.0 tuned up, removed the cat, now it's chugging. Any ideas? (purplejettahondaeater)

Under normal condition, the cat should not block up til rest of it's life, sounds like u running too rich cause the cat to block up, you should find out why the car is running rich before you put back a new cat on (if you want to....).
That also a problem cause you chugging at low end.
 
Re: Just had my 2.0 tuned up, removed the cat, now it's chugging. Any ideas? (monkey28)

Your ASE mechanic sent you home with no cat?
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Mebbe low back pressure, or your car is killing the world.
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Re: Just had my 2.0 tuned up, removed the cat, now it's chugging. Any ideas? (DetroitWolf)

crap this is the first actual help that i have seen with the chugging subject, cant wait to see if its the same thing with my jetta.
thanks for writing about your problem.
 
Like someone mentioned, the car not running correctly will cause the cat to fail.
I'm thinking one (or maybe both) of your O2 sensors could be the problem. However, I thought OBDII cars threw CEL the second one of those went bad?
 
Discussion starter · #13 ·
Re: Just had my 2.0 tuned up, removed the cat, now it's chugging. Any ideas? (Glenn J)

I'm questioning why it's not throwing a CEL without the cat in there. As I understand it, the CEL only lights up when there are problems with the emissions. If it does signify a problem with the engine, that's secondary to the high level of emissions that are in the exhaust.
For all the tree huggers out there, VWs run fairly efficiently, so I'm not too worried about running without a cat for 2 weeks if that is the problem here. I have a conscience.
If my car is running "too rich" would it consistently get anyplace between 28mpg in gridlock and 33+mpg on the highway? I just think that the cat got plugged up early. Things like that happen.
 
Re: Just had my 2.0 tuned up, removed the cat, now it's chugging. Any ideas? (DetroitWolf)

Do you know anyone with a VAG-COM or other type of OBDII scanner? You might want to check for error codes, even though the check engine light isn't on.

Oh, and when you go to get a new cat, I think Techtonics has a "high-flow" for less money than a stock cat.
 
Re: Just had my 2.0 tuned up, removed the cat, now it's chugging. Any ideas? (DetroitWolf)

Matt
If I recall, an OBD2 ABA engine has 2 O2 sensors, one of them being post-cat. Absense of a cat will screw up the balance of everything.
My advice is come over so we can scan it with my VAG-COM (or I can give Joe the cable) and put the cat back on. The Mk3 cat flows pretty well but there is a high-flow option from http://www.tttuning.com.
I'm not a hippy tree hugger, but disabling emissions control equip. should never be an option to solve problems or increase performance. Systems are too integrated now and you could end up with problems down the road (as appears to be the case here). I'm sure the EPA and DEQ would like to know where this ASE mechanic lives and works!
 
Discussion starter · #16 ·
Re: Just had my 2.0 tuned up, removed the cat, now it's chugging. Any ideas? (zuren1cs)

I'm starting to think that just putting a new cat on is the way to go. Just sounds easier and will most likely fix the problem.
Now the question is OEM or TT, not that it will make too much of a difference. I suppose if the TT is cheaper, though, why not?
 
Re: Just had my 2.0 tuned up, removed the cat, now it's chugging. Any ideas? (DetroitWolf)

i found out my engine was throwing a throttle position sensor code, after about 5 months of chugging i went to a wrecking yard baught one and installed. the chugging is now officially gone.
just figured i would share. since i have been fighting this engine problem since i bought the damn thing.
work done by myself
mafs cleaned
upper intake/lower intake mainfold cleaned.
rotor
distributor
timing belt
fuel filter
door locks
distirbutor/ignition wires
spark plugs
replaced all vacuum lines
air intake boot
throttle body/ tps
cai air box mod
paid to get done
brake master cylinder.
i think i officially can say i own this vehicle in every way.
 
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