Cat knackered ?

[Lynford]

Hi all,
Anyone have any idea what happens when the Cat goes on a Golf ?

I've got a '97 Golf GTi 16v and it's been slowly dying (and winding me up) over the last few months. It's finally pushed me over the edge this morning when it's taken me 70mins to do a 25min journey. It stutters at idle, will drive for a while but loses power, giving me no revs so I have to pull over and wait.

The reason I think it may be the Cat is because as I was pulled over today I noticed smoke (just a whisp) coming through where the handbrake is, and the pad underneath the Handbrake was really hot..........when I looked underneath I spotted what I think is the Cat just under this area.

Also I read earlier that the Cat can be buggered up by fouled plugs, which is something my car has been suffering from lately (until I had a gasket / seal replaced)

Thanks for any help 

[Wayne]

It could be the cat but might also be something else, if the cat was failed or blocked then it would struggle all the time.

[Lynford]

It could be the cat but might also be something else, if the cat was failed or blocked then it would struggle all the time.

Thanks Wayne.........any idea where the Cat is ? Would it be the lump I am talking about which is approx level with the handbrake. It has a small cover over it.

[Wayne]

It could be the cat but might also be something else, if the cat was failed or blocked then it would struggle all the time.

Thanks Wayne.........any idea where the Cat is ? Would it be the lump I am talking about which is approx level with the handbrake. It has a small cover over it.

Thats it, might be a little bit further forward but will have a heatshield on the bottom.

[Len]

It could be the cat but might also be something else, if the cat was failed or blocked then it would struggle all the time.

Thanks Wayne.........any idea where the Cat is ? Would it be the lump I am talking about which is approx level with the handbrake. It has a small cover over it.

Thats it, might be a little bit further forward but will have a heatshield on the bottom.

Not necesarily Wayne! Thats the most common one to rattle and most people take them off! Also aftermarket CATs dont have that heatshield.

[Wayne]

It could be the cat but might also be something else, if the cat was failed or blocked then it would struggle all the time.

Thanks Wayne.........any idea where the Cat is ? Would it be the lump I am talking about which is approx level with the handbrake. It has a small cover over it.

Thats it, might be a little bit further forward but will have a heatshield on the bottom.

Not necesarily Wayne! Thats the most common one to rattle and most people take them off! Also aftermarket CATs dont have that heatshield.

Good point, mine was fitted but in poor shape due to speed bumps.

[Len]

I'm much more concerned that he can see the CAT from inside the car!