[ivwshane]

I've asked this question on another forum but replies are slow.

I have a 95 saturn sw2 dohc

I recently took my car in to have it smoged and it failed, here are the numbers if they help:
15mph: 1938rpm, 14.10co2%, .46o2%, .25(.57max)co%, 362(720max)no(ppm).
25pmh: 2374rpm, 14.18co2%, .37o2%, .21(.55max)c0%, 414(774max)no(ppm).

While reading up and trying to make sure I pass the next time I did a couple of fixes. I have changed the O2 sensor, changed the thermostat and I'm in the process of doing a coolant flush, I have also replaced a ECT sensor as well as replace a valve cover gasket because the existing one was leaking oil.

At the same time I figured I'd try to find out what was causing a particular sound coming out of my car. The noise sounds kind of like a rattle (like a ball in a spray can), it only does it under low load and at low rpm, it doesn't do it in park. It doesn't sound like it's coming from the engine bay. It's loudest from underneath the car closer to the drivers side than the passenger side but behind the firewall. At first I thought it was a loose heat shield but after I inspected it today it really didn't feel loose at all. I shook the cat because that was were it sounded like the noise was coming from and it made a rattle noise.

So it sounds like the cat is bad but I don't know enough to make that call.
What do you guys think? Should a catalytic converter make any sound when you shake it?

[Miller]

no, the catalyst is most likely fallen apart causing you to fail emissions, change it.

[bigwill51534]

Originally Posted by Miller

no, the catalyst is most likely fallen apart causing you to fail emissions, change it.

Yup, simple fix.

~Will Courtier~

[ivwshane]

I forgot to post an update.

All problems fixed and smog passed!!! It was indeed a bad cat. And so far so leaking oil (or at least it doesn't seem to be burning the oil as fast).

[Juballharshaw]

Mid-late 90's Saturns are notorious for going through oil, the upside is that they've got one of the best engines GM has ever built and seem to run forever.

[ivwshane]

Originally Posted by Juballharshaw

Mid-late 90's Saturns are notorious for going through oil, the upside is that they've got one of the best engines GM has ever built and seem to run forever.

I can attest to that! I run this thing hard and it's still running good.