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Bad Cat lead to MPG loss and check engine light?

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Old 08-16-2009, 10:15 PM
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Default Bad Cat lead to MPG loss and check engine light?

Hey guys I got a Magnaflow muffler put on a while back and they told me my cat was bad.

Fast forward to today and for the last few weeks my check engine light will come and go. No real noticable problems, checked all the fluids and everythings fine. So, the other day I make a turn and the Jeep jumps RPMs a few times like bad gas. Prolly all it was but it just added to my suspicion.

Also, noticed a few MPG loss and little power loss from the norm with 4:10s and 35s lol. So Im looking at a new Magnaflow high flow to replace it.


So will a bad cat set off the check engine light here and there? Any other ideas?

Also, with AFE intake, bored TB, high flow cat, and the muffler would I probably need bigger injectors? My uncles TJ did after all this. Thanks
Old 08-16-2009, 10:34 PM
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Bad cat can cause the following , high mpg, check eng light, loss of power, overheating, stalling, and more. 35" tires can also cause high mpg and sluggishness, but in this case get a cat. Re-injectors I can't help.
Old 08-16-2009, 11:00 PM
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I dont have high MPG. I have low MPG. Lower than normal that is.

So high flow cat it?
Old 08-17-2009, 12:04 AM
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when i gutted my cat...(dont tell anyone) my check engine light came on the first time i started it up afterwards
Old 08-17-2009, 12:09 AM
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Do the CEL check by turnin the ignition on 3 times without cranking it and it'll flash codes in the odometer readout. Post the numbers and we can see whats goin on.

When my cat stated to go i got aweful mpg and sumwhat lost performance til it compeltely clogged up, then it would barely run. Since then I've gutted the cat, traded the mud tires Wednesday for sum 225/70-15's and I'm getting a mixed driving MPG of 26MPG. Go figure
Old 08-17-2009, 12:12 AM
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Originally Posted by 97XJMopar
Do the CEL check by turnin the ignition on 3 times without cranking it and it'll flash codes in the odometer readout. Post the numbers and we can see whats goin on.

When my cat stated to go i got aweful mpg and sumwhat lost performance til it compeltely clogged up, then it would barely run. Since then I've gutted the cat, traded the mud tires Wednesday for sum 225/70-15's and I'm getting a mixed driving MPG of 26MPG. Go figure
26 mpg wtf?
Old 08-17-2009, 12:21 AM
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So just turn the key and crank it 3 times in a row but dont let it start up? It will just flash the codes? If it flashes codes theres my problems or what?
Old 08-17-2009, 12:23 AM
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What Im really concerned with is if I will need to get new injectors since ill be pulling and pushing a lot more air than stock? Anyone have experience on this? Thanks
Old 08-17-2009, 12:43 AM
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Originally Posted by broncofire75
So just turn the key and crank it 3 times in a row but dont let it start up? It will just flash the codes? If it flashes codes theres my problems or what?
no turn your key like your going to start it but dont let it start...repeat two more times and then sit and watch the number of flashes. Count how many times the check engine lighths.

On-Off-On-Off-On, count the blink engine light wait for pause count again
ending is 5-5
Old 08-17-2009, 12:43 AM
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Originally Posted by broncofire75
What Im really concerned with is if I will need to get new injectors since ill be pulling and pushing a lot more air than stock?
i dont think so...
Old 08-17-2009, 07:20 AM
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Originally Posted by Cherokee 4.0
no turn your key like your going to start it but dont let it start...repeat two more times and then sit and watch the number of flashes. Count how many times the check engine lighths.

On-Off-On-Off-On, count the blink engine light wait for pause count again
ending is 5-5
Gotcha. That's what I was sayin just didn't sound like it I guess. Thanks. I'll try it.
Old 08-17-2009, 09:23 AM
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hey not to thread jack but im getting my new catback in the mail but with all this gutting cat talk now i want to do it, i have no emission reqs to deal with so do i just take it off and empty it with a screw driver or something? pros and cons of doing it? and does the check engine light go away after doing it?
Old 08-17-2009, 09:33 AM
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Originally Posted by aircrewallan
hey not to thread jack but im getting my new catback in the mail but with all this gutting cat talk now i want to do it, i have no emission reqs to deal with so do i just take it off and empty it with a screw driver or something? pros and cons of doing it? and does the check engine light go away after doing it?
Gutting the Cat is illegal anywhere in the USA, unless off-road only.
Old 08-17-2009, 09:54 AM
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Originally Posted by aircrewallan
hey not to thread jack but im getting my new catback in the mail but with all this gutting cat talk now i want to do it, i have no emission reqs to deal with so do i just take it off and empty it with a screw driver or something? pros and cons of doing it? and does the check engine light go away after doing it?
dont do it it is illegal. OFF ROAD USE ONLY
Old 08-17-2009, 12:57 PM
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Tried the CEL test. CEL came on for just a sec then disappeared. No codes?

Never done it before so I'm not sure...


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