Just to follow up on the trip we took and experienced the oil leak. My wife mentioned that the floor the passenger side was extreamly warm. While searching for the oil leak I checked to make sure all of the exhaust shields were in place and in good condidtion and they were. For this trip I had left the skid plate that covers the oil pan area off. Could of this caused a heat issue?

Any thoughts?

How old is your catalytic converter? If it's plugged it can get quite hot.

I haven't had that issue with my SR which I've been driving without the skid plates.

It is the original converter with 218,000 miles on it. If were plugged would I notice a loss in power or an increase in engine temp?

<img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" />

Ummm yeah.. either a 6G72 or 74 loving to burn oil on the valves seals !!!

Yeah... that cat is probably getting TOASTY!!!

Let me put it this way... I have a 95 SR... If you read my current "NIGHTMARE" thread... it's nickname is "LUCKY".

The reason being, my wife and I were up in the hills 4x4ing and when crank sensor blew out, the ECU basically dumps a TON of fuel into the engine (aka. FULL RICH) and runs like crap..

trying to get off the mountain, then ENTIRE UNDERSIDE of my SR was glowing RED HOT from the cat back, while we were driving over dry brush here in SoCal

And my carpets inside started to smoke it was getting the inside so hot!!!

Once off the road it was tow truck time but my wife called him LUCKY since we didn't burn down the whole damn mountain!!! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" />

I had the heads reworked awhile back because it was smoking pretty bad. So I guess it is time to replace the CAT Converter. Hey will these things run without one? No smog testing in South Dakota.

Yes.

Last time I drove my Raider I could cook hot dogs on the exhaust... I should probably replace mine too. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" /> It melted the rubber coating off the floor too. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/scared.gif" alt="" />

Follow-up question, I was talking to a mechanic yesterday about my CAT converter and he mentioned that it may not be the converter. He thinks I may be dumping too much fuel and that is causing the heat.

I am not getting a check engine warning light. I talked with an import shop and they said they can run a scan on the engine and check things out.

Not sure what I should do. I looked at my converter today and there is no way it is going to come off in one piece so I can "inspect it" <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> and reinstall it. So I will more than likely have to put a new one on.

Do I spend $85 for the engine scan or put the new converter on and see if that works.

What all controls the fuel? If I had a bad O2 sensors, wouldn't I have a check engine light?

Any suggestions are greatly appreciated.

Does the 93 only have one O2 sensor before the CAT or is it an OBDII with a post CAT O2 sensor as well? I would think "dumping fuel" would trigger a MIL light unless the O2 sensor is bad. I also understand a plugged CAT would cause major loss of power, especially under load, but as stated the source of the heat is probably an overheated CAT. A vacuum test can help diagnose a restricted exhaust but I'd be more interested in an exhaust gas analysis over an engine scan unless the scan included it. If the shop has a dyno even better as the engine can be analyzed under load. I know removing the CAT is no small job so I'd spend some money on analysis first, but the CAT doesn't owe you anything given the miles and age of the truck. I just replaced my CAT during an exhaust system change but there was nothing wrong with the CAT, it was just preventative.

The 93 only has one O2 sensor before the cat. I think I will have the engine/system checked first.

Thanks for the advise.