Rough at idle, smell of gas, lack of power and weak top speed!

[mistermcbrit]

So, I knew my cat converter was clogged, I just had the mechanic clean it out and put a straight pipe in it for now. I will eventually replace it with a new converter, just need some more $$$.

CEL is flashing still, so guessing misfiring is still happening. What else can be causing this? I looked under the car while it was running and it looks like the whole exhaust system is shaking -- crazy!

I'm wondering if the 02 sensor is making it run rich...?

[VdubOne]

Originally Posted by mistermcbrit

So, I knew my cat converter was clogged, I just had the mechanic clean it out and put a straight pipe in it for now. I will eventually replace it with a new converter, just need some more $$$.

CEL is flashing still, so guessing misfiring is still happening. What else can be causing this? I looked under the car while it was running and it looks like the whole exhaust system is shaking -- crazy!

I'm wondering if the 02 sensor is making it run rich...?

Well by removing the cat converter, you are most likely confusing the engine and allowing the exhaust to flow too quickly, which can kill power and make the car spell very gasoline like. The CEL is flashing because something is missing, the cat converter. Plus, if the cat is off, then I doubt the 02 sensor is making it run rich, plus the o2 sensor is in the exhaust lines. It could be a problem with your MAF sensor. I removed my central muffler and replaced it with straight pipe, and it does make the whole exhaust shake quite a bit. If misfiring was happening, you would totally know it. Plus i suggest using a Volkswagen CEL reader, not a standard one as they don't show the same codes. if this helps let me know

[Fl_bug]

You can get a Vw Specific code reader from the middle link in my signature

[simonsi]

Originally Posted by mistermcbrit

So, I knew my cat converter was clogged

Hmmm, well if the CEL is still flashing you now have two problems, the original one and the fact that the cat is missing. the O2 sensors are in a feedback loop so DO affect how the engine runs.

Get a (preferably VCDS) code reader and get the codes...