Okay, so thanks for having me in the forums, if I could get some advice i'd greatly appreciate it.

My cherokee has a problem where it will surge in RPMs by 2,000-3,000rpm. The car rocks violently and putters in and out. It sounds like trying to balance the carb on a lawn mower.

It would happen at random intervals on random days. It seems like I can't to anything provoke it to happen. I replaced ALL of the sensors, even the CPS sensor twice.

Recently, I had a minor fire in the cab. The previous owner stored dryer lint under the back seat (for emergencies) and it sparked a fire. I smelled a strong smell of exhaust just prior to the fire. I coasted it home after the fire, we determined that the catalytic converter had rusted and punched a hole on the topside that was leaking into the cab.

What im here to know:

Could that surging of the engine be related to a low pressure caused by the hole?

Could the pressure have punched a hole in the cat.

Is it worth repairing....

If I replace the cat, should it solve the surging...



EDIT
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Im not very mechanically inclined, I THINK its the cat. It might be the muffler.... Whichever one makes more sense is probably the one leaking

 

You Have to do something about the cat, can't have a hole in it or hot floor. Either is problem as youve seen. Can't have no cat, that too is a problem. A used cat will do you fine as they are not cheap for new, perhaps parts recycler (scrap yard) although longevity is risk. The surge is also an indicator of idle air control motor malfunctioning, a cone shaped pintle controls air an air flow in the throtle body and if it is fouled and sticking, idle can jump up. Try cleaning it (gently, don't get rammy with the pintle), I use my buddies toothbrush and some carb cleaner, brake clean also works, scrub it gently, careful with the O ring around the body, reinstall. New is 50-70$ at dealer or Napa. IAC on my 89 in the pic.

 

Did you just go out and take that for me?

Thanks!

$70 is doable I take my jeep muddin' and its the perfect season for that. I can't wait to get on the trail. thanks for the help!

 

Good Luck. Muddin eh? Nice, mud is still frozen here. Try clean up before getting a new IAC, often it's jsut a dirt problem.