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'03 Alero: Black Sludge on Cat Converter, No Acceleration Power.
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sagebrushfire
New User
Nov 15, 2010, 1:18 AM
Post #1 of 3
(2123 views)
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'03 Alero: Black Sludge on Cat Converter, No Acceleration Power.
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2003 Olds. Alero
77k Miles on it.
I don't know the Engine size because I don't know if it's a GX or GL1/GL2/GL3. It has 4 cylinders.
I just got this car not 1 week ago. It's been driving absolutely fine, my gas mileage has averaged about 24 mpg and it's been quiet and smooth.
All of the sudden when I just tried to start my car it wouldn't start. After 4 tries it finally starts and it's rumbling like a Chinese earthquake. The Check Engine and Trac Off lights are on (The check engine is blinking).
The car now has no acceleration power; it takes me about 30 seconds to get to 45 MPH.
I drove for a few miles and then came back home. When I looked underneath the car, the catalytic converter (or whatever the first bulgy cylindar on the exhaust pipe right after the Engine is) looks all dirty and there are big beads of black sludge dripping from all over it. It looks like melted black plastic.
If I turn on the AC while the engine is running the engine revs up a little and then instantly shuts off.
I did a little research and the symptoms match Cat Converter failure pretty well but I don't understand how it could happen INSTANTANEOUSLY! My car has been driving fine and I drove it around town just 4 hours before getting back into it, nothing seemed wrong. Now, out of nowhere, it's practically not drivable.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks in advance.
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Nov 15, 2010, 3:49 AM
Post #2 of 3
(2111 views)
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Re: '03 Alero: Black Sludge on Cat Converter, No Acceleration Power.
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The Catalytic converter isn't causing your problem but I can assure you that if you continue to drive it with this problem, you will be replacing the converter along with whatever the original problem turns out to be.
The check engoine light is on so that's your starting point. You'll probably end up finding a cylinder misfire for some reason. The check engine light codes should tell you which cylinders.
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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sagebrushfire
New User
Nov 15, 2010, 8:51 AM
Post #3 of 3
(2101 views)
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Re: '03 Alero: Black Sludge on Cat Converter, No Acceleration Power.
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UPDATE: After driving for a few miles and back I looked under the car again. Part of the Catalytic converter closest to the back end of the car is glowing red!
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