Ok, stepson has a Dodge 1500 1999 truck. It has about 90,000 miles on it and we are on the fourth catalytic converter. Good news is Daimler Chrysler is warrantying this one as well. This is number 2. Now, stepson has flowmaster dual exhaust on it, he put it on when he got the truck.

He is now in college and check engine light is on again. Dodge dealership says it is the converter, but cannot explain why it keeps happening. Original dealer says it could very easily be the flowmasters and back pressure. Now, muffler shop in college town told him it was a problem with dodge engines and he has seen it many times on dodge trucks with the catalytic converter.

That is one muffler shop, thought dealer says to go back to regular exhaust system. I told my stepson that we might have to do that.

Any thoughts on this? Anybody know more about this then what little I do? Has this happened to anybody? What would you do?

I will be away from my computer for a couple of days, but will be able to log in elsewhere, so if you do not mind....I am open to all thoughts on this.

Steve

Steve
exactly what code is it setting,and have they checked the fueling system including the injectors for bleed down when it sits,sounds like it is getting fuel in the exhaust and then trying to burn it off after it is started to me.i would have them do an injector balance test on it with a fuel gauge hooked up,and also make sure that the fuel pump pressure is not to high.to start with.

The Flowmaster will not cause this. Like Stan said, usually an over-rich condition or a mis-fire will cause converter damage.

cut it off

FlukenLizard, cutting a catalytic converter off is not only illegal, but will confuse your vehicle's on-board computer making your problems worse, not better! Several classes of vehicles have a problem with harmonic imbalance in the engine causing breakdown of the ceramic substrate in the cat. conv, among these are late model dodge trucks with a V-8; full size Ford cars with a V-8; and mid-size GM cars with 4 cyl or V-6. These vehicles are prone to set off codes as they break down.

Not to be a smart azz because I am not trying to be. I would go to these forums for help with your truck.

Good luck with your Dodge I love mine.

http://dodgetruckworld.tenmagazines.com/
http://dodgetrucks.org/home.html

Has the dealer ever checked the O2 censor on the converter itself? These trucks now are OBDII computers with multiple oxygen sensors. Sometimes those can foul up and cause problems also. I was a wholeseller of truck accseeories for many years and a Flowmaster or any other cat-back system will not harm cats.

Its not the flowmasters my son has a 98 dodge with same problem before we added flowmaster dodge dealer reset o2 sensor came back now i told him drive till something breaks then we will knowand by the way we put on new converter to

I had this happen to me a while back it has been a problem for many dodges, not most but many. I had to switch to a high flow cat to fix my problem.

CURTIS--Your truck came from the factory with a "high-flow cat". There are two types of catalyst suspension. The first are the older GM style with small coated pellets, these were very restrictive. The second are the monolithic {or honeycomb} coated style pioneered by Ford and Dodge, these are the so-called "high-flow cats". The monolithic catalyst used in these catalytic converters are designed to carry 2 1/2 to 3 times the air volume as the inlet pipe, so the next time someone tries to sell you a "high-flow cat" at a higher price or to help increase flow, don't fall for it, you already have one. The problem with your Dodge pick-up cat was not flow, but a harmonic vibration that breaks the ceramic core over time. --DEREK (26 years in the automotive exhaust and emissions business)

Yeah my moms truck was doin the same thing and we switched to a magnaflow highflow cat and put on a flowmaster at the same time and she hasnt had any problems with it since......

highflow cat is your best bet

Good info Derek, driving Dodge and didnt know that