I was driving to work today, hauling a folding table in the back with the back lift gate window up since that was the only way I could get the table to fit . I noticed while driving up hills and having to accelerate , I would start smelling something . At first I thought it had been a car that drove past me , but once i realized it wasn't and it was in fact my truck I started paying more attention. I didn't notice any change in power going up hills, and I didn't notice the smell driving home just about 3hrs ago . The only thing I can think of is my CAT is starting to get clogged a little bit , otherwise my truck doesn't burn oil, or fuel and if it just started I've never noticed it nor has the mechanic that just looked at it about 2weeks ago after I had it in for the 02 since I couldn't get the stupid thing to break loose.

If it is a cat issue would it pay to go with a generic universal one, factory, or a highflow universal cat? I'm wondering if this could be the cause to my problem with my mpg being so random.

Chi_Town

 

Highflows have been known to throw the reading from the o2 to pcm off. It may make it code.

 

I have a Magnaflow high-flow cat on my '02. It works flawlessly. My only gripe is that it will throw a code for the O2 sensor just north of the cat if I downshift into second while going downhills.

I know the wires are good, and the sensor is good...so I equate it to the cat.

Other than that, at a cost of 80 bucks to the OEM 600+, it was a no brainer!

What exactly is the smell you are smelling? Cats usually have a sulfur / rotten egg smell.