Catalytic converter damage

fryup

Does running low on fuel damage a catalytic converter?? (badly)

My mitsu colt is not idling properly and cuts out when stopped.

I drove about 50 miles + with the low fuel light on the other day and now its starting to misbehave, will a bottle of engine cleaner do the trick??

dan_ep82

fryup wrote: »

Does running low on fuel damage a catalytic converter?? (badly)

My mitsu colt is not idling properly and cuts out when stopped.

I drove about 50 miles + with the low fuel light on the other day and now its starting to misbehave, will a bottle of engine cleaner do the trick??

Probably brought dirt up from the bottom of the tank. Try replacing the fuel filter.
And no it wouldn't damage the cat

keithsfleet

Not the cat.

Running the tank empty will suck up all the crud from the bottom of the fuel tank.

I'd look at changing the fuel filter to stay with.

Is it down on power at the higher rpm range?

Edit: Dan beat me to it.

fryup

replacing fuel filter,,,,is that something i could DIY ...where is it usually located?

cletus

fryup wrote: »

replacing fuel filter,,,,is that something i could DIY ...where is it usually located?

http://www.coltuk.org/phpbb3/viewtopic.php?f=20&t=5462

This is a guide to changing the fuel filter on a 1.6, dunno if its the same for a 1.3.

Corbally

Disconnect the airflow meter and see if it makes a difference, I've seen into alot of fuel tanks and ive never seen this 'crud' people talk about unless you fill with car with petrol from a bucket thats been sitting in a grain mill, if your fuel filter wasnt blocked you'd have starting issues, if the car will rev reasonably ok but wont idle properly the first thing I'd be looking at is the mass air flow meter. Just after the air filter box, you should be able to disconnect the cable. The car should run a bit better if thats the problem