RE: E30 Emissions

["Ron Buchalski" <rbuchals@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

Tom writes:

>From: ToMoyer@domain.elided [mailto:ToMoyer@domain.elided]
>Sent: Tuesday, May 08, 2001 10:14 PM
>To: ChrisF@domain.elided
>Subject: RE: E30 Emissions
>
>
>Chris,
>   From what you have said in your question my educated guess/opinion is 
>that your CAT is NO GOOD.  When the CAT starts to fail, the particles 
>inside begin to rattle and to block/restrict the exhaust.  When this 
>happens, it also usually takes out the O2 Sensor.  So you are most likely 
>looking at a new CAT and a new O2 Sensor and then you will more than likely 
>pass your emissions test.
>
>happy motoring,
>tom
>BMWCCA Member
>ASE Tech
>'84 318i
>'85 318i
>'91 318is

Tom,

While I agree that a damaged catalytic converter can cause emission 
problems, or it can clog up or plug the exhaust system, a crumbling 
catalytic converter will NOT damage an O2 sensor on an E30.  The O2 sensor 
is located UPSTREAM from the catalytic converter.

Any loose particles from the catalytic converter will be blown through the 
muffler and eventually out of the exhaust pipe.

On a later car, equipped with OBD II and O2 sensors on both sides of the 
catalytic converter, it may be a different story.

- -rb

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