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speedtuba
GenIII
 
6/01/2002
09:58:20
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 Subject: The Curse of the Rattlin' Cat
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OK, this is getting crazy! After going through three stock catalytic converters, I decided to go all out. Replaced headers, muffler and cat (CarSound). The cat has been on for about 3,000 miles and it has started rattling just as it's three predecessors have done.
Honestly, I'm baffled. When I start the truck, I hear this metallic rattle. For now, it seems to go away after running for about 5 mins. (The previous ones rattled constantly.) I got up under the truck this morning and knocked on the cat and sure enough, he's the culprit again.
So my question is, am I suffering from the Curse of the Rattlin' Cat or is there something I don't know about?
The only other piece of information I can think to offer is this, at times (higher RPMs) when I let off of the gas, I will hear a few 'backfires' (not very loud, but similar sound). It used to be much more pronounced when I was running around with no cat at all (don't tell Barney Fife). Could this backfiring (if that is in fact what it is) have blown something loose inside the cat? If so, is there a way (other than never letting off the gas (which, now that I type isn't all that bad of an idea)) to stop this 'backfiring'?
Thanks all!
W. Patrick Jones
98 Dakota Sport 3.9L
Emerald Pearl Coat
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Todd W
GenIII
6/01/2002
10:41:40
|  RE: The Curse of the Rattlin' Cat
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Message:
It's a 5-speed? (Yup, it is!)
5-speeds, when revved and not actually engaging the drive wheels (or when downshifting) 'pop' through the exhaust. Normal for a stick to do that, every car I've ever had that was a stick did that. Mind you, it's not -real- loud, but it does sound pretty neat. (Vrrrroom! Pop! Pop!)
Hey, I just realized... Your truck is mine but two years older! :0)
Cool! How do the Carsound and Flowmaster sound on it? I've been thinking of that combo myself. Are the headers worth it?
'00 RC Sport Forest Green, 3.9L, 5-speed 3.55, Hurst Comp-Plus Shifter, Clear-Corners, Speed-Glo gauges, Airaid Intake with relocated IAT, Autolite 3923s, Ported Throttle Body, Borg & Warner Cap/Rotor, Accel Coil, JBA 9mm Wires, JET Stage II
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IntenseDak39
*GenIII*
6/01/2002
11:50:05
|  RE: The Curse of the Rattlin' Cat
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Message:
how is the cat installed? u-bolts or welded...
p.s. did you get that jet chip yet?
intensedak39
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speedtuba
GenIII
6/01/2002
13:47:57
| RE: The Curse of the Rattlin' Cat
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Message:
Rock 'n Roll Baby!
Intense - Chip went in this mornin'. I only drove about 10 miles, so I haven't had a chance to really test it out. Thanks!
All equip. is U-bolted in. Just haven't had a chance to get it welded yet. I checked the bolts to make sure they were tight, but do you think it's related?
Todd - Headers will do wonders. When I hit about 2200 RPM, the truck takes off!!! The low range RPMs suffer a little because of the reduced back pressure, but.... if you go to the red line and shift each time, you never go below 2K anyway!! :)
As for sound, it's very nice! It's about as close to a V8 sounds as I've heard from a V6. I like it a lot. (Just gotta do something about that rattle!)
W. Patrick Jones
98 Dakota Sport 3.9L
Emerald Pearl Coat
http://www.geocities.com/wpmjones/
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IntenseDak39
*GenIII*
6/01/2002
14:32:11
| RE: The Curse of the Rattlin' Cat
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Message:
i figured you were using u-bolts. Have it all welded and see how it does. i think there has to be a leak somewhere if it is really backfiring... i know that a downshift can make it sound like its back firing (a little bubbly sounding noise) because my auto does that very well but if it was a true backfire it would probably mean a leak is about.
does it run a little rough?
intensedak39
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speedtuba
GenIII
6/02/2002
00:29:17
| RE: The Curse of the Rattlin' Cat
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Message:
"does it run a little rough?"
Not really. The little bubbly noise is a good description of what I'm hearing, but at the same time, I know that there is a leak, cause when I put my hand over the exhaust, it doesn't stall and I hear (and sometimes see) the air escaping out of the end of the cat.
Hear's the catch though, with the engine off, if I tap on the cat, I hear the rattle. That shouldn't happen, should it?
W. Patrick Jones
98 Dakota Sport 3.9L
Emerald Pearl Coat
http://www.geocities.com/wpmjones/
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2damnslow
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
6/02/2002
02:37:01
| RE: The Curse of the Rattlin' Cat
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Message:
no you should not hear a rattle at all! i have also suffered from a rattling cat! this is my 3rd that goes on wendsday morning and after 65000 mile on my 99 dakota i am a little pissed because i cant find an answer as to why from anybody, so if you all find out why let me know.my email is im2damnslow@yahoo.com
lowered 3&5 relocated iat,jet stage two chip,modified factory air box& exhuast
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Dan
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
6/02/2002
05:45:09
| RE: The Curse of the Rattlin' Cat
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Message:
yeah i went through 3 cats also. try getting a tune-up. dont let dodge put on a stock cat on either. see if they can hook you up with a high flow cat for a deeper exhaust sound. i think i needed the tuneup. does the dak puff smoke at high revs? mine did and the tune up fixed it
'98 rc flowmaster otherwise stock
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joe_himself
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
6/02/2002
15:25:45
| RE: The Curse of the Rattlin' Cat
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My truck backfires when downshifting or getting around 2200 or 2000 rpms.. its because i have a high flow cat and muffler on and not a hole lot of back pressure there.. yes it is annoying at times but then again its also fun to have ppl look at you oddly.. hahaha
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dkotarider260
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
6/02/2002
17:18:29
| RE: The Curse of the Rattlin' Cat
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Message:
The reason why the cats rattle is because the air to fuel ratio is too rich. the rattling noise your hearing is the loose compound inside the cat. it could be from a bad o2 sensor or a computer faulty. when the mixture is too rich it decays that filter in the cat and so there is a little piece thats just rattling around. get a new one.
98 dak std. cab w/ lots of mods
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Kotadude21
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
6/02/2002
23:30:36
| RE: The Curse of the Rattlin' Cat
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Message:
I replaced two cats on mine within a couple of months, i think dodge finally got me a good one ::knock on wood::
I also had another rattle and thought it was the cat....turned out it was my exhaust coming out of the muffler and it was run too close to the shock and was tappin it when the truck was running.
brent
www.geocities.com/kotadude21
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stepdogg
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
6/03/2002
00:11:48
| RE: The Curse of the Rattlin' Cat
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Message:
I have been hearing the rattle for about two days now. I got up under there and punched the cat. the rattling stopped for a second, then started again. So what...i need a cat now too? Is leaving it completely off a good idea? If not what would the BEST cat to replace it with? And if my problem was caused by a decayed filter, do you suppose that the two bottles of octane boost i add at every fill is the reason? Please let me know. Thanx. (sorry, thats a lot of questions :)
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DakotaTC
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
6/03/2002
13:16:53
|  RE: The Curse of the Rattlin' Cat
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Rattling Cat lovers - here is the story this rattled customer got from Chrysler customer service: The catalytic converters on Dakotas and the full size Rams collapse from within, plugging the input side, and eventually cracking the pipe before the weld. It's covered under warrany as a result of a Federal mandate - for 8 years.
Of course, they replace it with the same design, and after a time...you guessed it, the cycle is repeated. I called Chrysler because the dealer who had my truck told me it would be covered, then tried to bag me for the $450 while still getting the warranty payola. Chrysler called them while I was waiting on hold, and they fessed up and covered it. I think the answer is a better designed, aftermarket cat.
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2damnslow
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
6/04/2002
01:57:43
| RE: The Curse of the Rattlin' Cat
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Message:
i think i would agree with that last statment. but my dealership is not willing to put anything on but the factoy cat which really sucks because it clear to me that dodge knows that they have a problem with it and has done next to nothing to remidy the problem most companys would do a recall or something to remidy the problem. wouldnt you think.
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