Catalytic Converter Toast? Cause? Pics of a Good One? Options

[xrayjm]

I'm thinking my cat is toast, just would like to verify. Seems the deposits are not carbon and hard.

Questions I have:
- Agree its toast?
- Anybody have a pic of an original cat from the tailpipe end? Would like to see what an orginal cat looked like from the tailpipe end as the melted depostis around the edges seem "honeycomb-ish"
- What is the most likely component failing to cause this? (probably the most important, as I don't want to smoke a new $285 or so cat).


Melted depostis around edges, seems like melted honeycombs


Closeup of honeycomb

[barterj]

Yes, it's pretty gone, you'll probably see a bit of a power increase when it's replaced. But now you should figure out whats causing this before putting a new one in. I didn't do this a ruined one in a year... 300 buck down the toilet.


This post has been edited by barterj: May 24, 2012 - 9:31 AM

[xrayjm]

looked at several pictures on cat websites, classic meltdown condition, cat toast, question closed.

If you have a pic from the tailpipe end would appreciate it still or if anyone can confirm its a double brick design, and I melted the back brick, would appreciate it.

This failure points to a fuel issue, and subsequent "lighting off" of the excess fuel. I'm wondering, is it classic you would melt the exhaust end first (seems it would melt engine side first, but my logic could be wrong)

Could a restricted exhaust downstream of the cat cause this issue?