I have a 2002 Monte Carlo SS with a 3800 series two engine. Lately when I excelerate and the RPM goes up to about 4.5 it hesitates and bogs down. The RPMs jumps up and down. The tranny was replaced about a year and a half ago. It does not feel like a tranny problem to me. I read somewhere that it may be a clogged catalytic converter? The cat would be covered under warranty, if my car was under 120k miles, mines at 121k. I don't have the money to change the cat and that not be the problem. Any thoughts? Thanks

 

I would say your cat is clogged! Just replaced the cat on my 02 SS yesterday mine was doing the same thing urs is doing ! Ran me $285.

 

Cats can be tested, they won't just replace one if its not bad.

Doesn't hurt to have your VIN, call and see if your car is covered.

 

I'm here in California and everyone auto parts store and muffler shop tells me that the cat for my car is a dealer only item and dealer wants $500 for the cat, plus installation, and $100 for inspection.

We took my car in to the dealer because I have over 120k miles they won't cover the warranty

Thanks guys. I am feeling a little more confident it is the cat

 

Catalytic Converter | 2002 Chevrolet Monte Carlo 6 Cylinders K 3.8L SFI OHV | AutoZone.com here you go 02 monte carlo 3.8 v6 cat list from autozone starting at 128 bucks

 

Whoa i've heard about the hoops u got to jump thru to drive a car in cali !

 

Yes, but every single one says "Item cannot be shipped to the following States and Zip Codes. States: CALIFORNIA"

Cali FTL

Also i checked the temperature of the cat with the car at operating temp, at idle and the temp at the welds for the cat was 240 up front and 205 at the rear welds. I read http://www.aa1car.com/library/converter.htm and from what it says, the temp check means basically nothing with newer cars. But it was worth a shot.

 

Contact ZZP about this cat: ZZ Performance and make sure that it's legal in Cali. This cat is $60, and then you can just have a shop weld it in. It should only take the exhaust shop an hour to do it, so they'll charge you $75-100 for labor. That's $160 to fix your problem.

 

ya know what my bad lol i didnt even think about the cant ship to this state thing since its a car part i didnt think about it

 

it is definatly the cat, mine got plugged up because i was runnimg with a leaking upper intake plenham. It took a bit for me to figure it out because it didn't do it untill after i replaced the manifold plenham. I don't know where you live in the world but I just removed it and replaced it with a pipe and an O2 sensor eliminator.