E90 325i Cat Converter Blocked

[nad1576]

Hi,

After going to a couple of places for fumes coming from my engine bay I have been told that my cat converter is blocked. I know that this is an expensive part and it may be time to let the car go.

What I'd like to know is:
1. Can a cat converter be cleaned? If so is this a short term or a proper fix.
2. One of the workshops said that they can de-cat the car. What are the cons of this?
3. Should I just sell on get a new car?

2012 BMW 325i (E90), 130,000 km

Nad

 

[Schalk94]

Just de-cat the car and continue as normal . De-catting a car is beneficial to the car in every way,throttle response should increase,exhaust note changes a bit and it might improve power slightly as well.

Cats are installed on cars as a emission regulations measure in EU countries,but isn't necessary in SA.

 

[evnmopwr]

you Sure its not just you have an Oil leak and its burning oil??

My E46 325i Tappet cover gasket went bad and it was leaking oil onto the Manifolds

Tons of smoke would be seen coming out engine bay cause of the burning oil

Just my 2 cents

 

[nad1576]

I checked for oil leaks but there doesn't seem to be any

 

[Nikhil]

Just decat the car

 

[Bazza]

Decat!! Better for the car, makes it breather better. On a 325i you're going to get a slightly deeper and raspier exhaust note, probably won't even notice the difference inside the car.

 

[///M Individual]

Definitely decat and carry on as normal.

 

[husaindindar]

It is a concern as to why the cat is blocked at relatively low millage.

Is the car consuming oil?

 

[SubLoaded]

It is a concern as to why the cat is blocked at relatively low millage.

Is the car consuming oil?

Coz if it is then it's completely normal for n52 :fencelook:

 

[evnmopwr]

Then Decat bru :thumbs:[/align]

 

[husaindindar]

@Subloaded

Did anyone ever tell you?
The 2 in N52 stands for 2 stroke.

The N52 is a 2 stroke motor.
That's where the oil goes.

 

[gerald5ive]

I doubt fumes from the exhaust can escape through the engine bay. Exhaust manifold and exhausts are sealed with gaskets at the joins. So the story of the cats blocked sounds a bit fishy to me. I would say its oil from the tappet cover gasket leaking onto the exhaust manifold. Common issues on e90.

Id say check again for oil leaks. Pull out the coils as well to see if they have oil on it. Check tappet cover gasket, the eccentric motor seal and sensor seal .

 

[Kameelzn14]

If the cats are blocked just decat the car.

 

[Prenevan]

Would a error display on the Dash if the cats are removed as im sure it has sensors on them?

 

[Dr Evil]

Would a error display on the Dash if the cats are removed as im sure it has sensors on them?

You can have it coded out with software or get cat foolers for the sensors. The place doing the decat should have foolers.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Sspower]

Hi, my car sounded like it was misfiring and couldnt rev normal then i saw flames coming out from the exhaust( dangerous i know) i would not advise you to drive the car as it could burn. take it to a exhaust shop asap..

 

[Twinz]

As said...

Have the car checked properly.

Consider a decat anyway and use cat foolers. A clogged cat can be very bad for any car - period.