I have a 1992 Jeep Cherokee 4.0 L - 242 with 208k miles.

Recently I have noticed that my jeep has been smoking a lot. When I look under it, all the smoke is coming from the catalytic converter. It looks like steam more or less, but has a slight smell to it. There is nothing leaking onto it, all the smoke/steam is coming from within it. All of my gauges are fine and nothing else seems to be wrong. I believe it has never been replaced. Anybody have any ideas on what could be wrong with it?

Also, if it needs to be replaced. Could you tell me an approximate price range that I should look for when talking to shops?

Thanks for all the help in advance.

Well skim if you see the smoke UNDER the vehicle it is on the outside of the cat. If you see the smoke coming out the tail pipe it also went thru the cat.
Big JIm <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/pfft.gif" alt="" />

It is definitely coming out of the cat itself. I'm positive about this.

If it is coming out of the cat you will have a loud unmuffled noise with the leak.. Unless you do have the noise it ain't coming out of the cat.. What you have is something on the cat that is melting or burning or a leak that is blowing liquid on the outside of the cat.
I have seen MUD on a cat smoke from the heat. Also leaves or other trash will smoke..
Bif Jim <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/pfft.gif" alt="" />

well if its steam like and sorta smells like anti freeze it could also be a head gasket. maybe i dunno <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />

catalytic converters are over rated. put a "test" pipe in its place. LOL . if it is smoking out of the cat under the vehicle , like Jim said that would be loud. it could be exhaust valve seats or seals or rings. whew could be lots of stuff.