Quote Originally Posted by x_rotary_rasp View Post
Rattle from behind the firewall might suggest a faulty catalytic converter.

Did you experience 1) Engine light flashing. 2) Power loss?


This could be caused by a couple of things but the main culprits would be ignition coils/ignition leads/spark plugs. If raw fuel is unburnt, it would lead to the catalytic converter to go superhot and will melt away and cause a blockage.

The funny thing when this happens is that people tend to keep driving the car. Flashing Engine Light means it should be parked and get a flatbed truck and get it looked at straight away.

On point 2 above with power loss, most people would depress the accelerator pedal to WOT. This should not be done as more unburnt fuel will enter through the cat converter and might cause the exhaust pipes to overheat as well. This might also cause some of the plastic parts around the exhaust outlet to melt away.

I don't think your engine has blown. Please let the community know what did go wrong with your car so that we could at least know what to expect.

I'm a track addict and catalytic converters are not made for constant track use. Looking back, I should've bought that No-cat midpipe.

On that note, my track car is running like new.

Ohhh... I bought a diesel, so no ignition coils/spark plugs to worry about.

The tow truck driver this morning is from a company that tows prestige cars. From his experience it seemed like a blown coil pack (one of the things I suspected).

It doesn't explain the rattling sound though... kinda like hearing shirt buttons tinkle inside a tumble dryer.


Yes, the lights did flash. I didn't have noticeable power loss... the engine was running so rough it was hard to tell, but the car wasn't struggling to move or anything.

So today we'll know what's happened.

i still love the car, but it is disappointing.