Can a small oil leak f-up your Cat?

**BdAsBrd01** · 06-02-2009, 10:45 AM

So I took the Bird in today to see if it needs a new power steering pump (or just a fluid change) and dude says the cats stopped up. WTF?? The cat is only 8 month old and was put on by the dealership. Then dude says that there's a small oil leak next to the engine (I already know-- it doesn't leak much --dealership wanted $900.00+ to fix) and that could be what stopped the cats up? Does this sound plausible or is this guy an idiot?

**sunsetorangess** · 06-02-2009, 03:32 PM

Umm where exactly is it leaking? How small is small? Unless its pouring into the Cat or cat's i would find a new mechanic... Anything is possible but highly unlikely..

**c5z28** · 06-02-2009, 04:23 PM

If the car is burning oil it could clog the cats.

**Customta98** · 06-02-2009, 04:43 PM

Yeah that guy sounds a littel shady to me he is just trying to get money out of ya and like C5Z28 said if it is burning oil then maybe but i dont see it happening that fast.

**mpfranks** · 06-02-2009, 06:53 PM

is it normal for the ls1 to burn up oil at all? ive heard from some that its completely normal, and from others its not. i dont leak a drop of oil, but do burn up about 1/2-3/4 quart every 3k miles. after my intake install i did throw a cat code, but cleared it and it never came back, figured the car was just relearning the new info. car runs great, only has 22K miles and always run ac delco filter and mobil 1.

**Wesman** · 06-02-2009, 07:16 PM

Originally Posted by mpfranks

is it normal for the ls1 to burn up oil at all? ive heard from some that its completely normal, and from others its not. i dont leak a drop of oil, but do burn up about 1/2-3/4 quart every 3k miles. after my intake install i did throw a cat code, but cleared it and it never came back, figured the car was just relearning the new info. car runs great, only has 22K miles and always run ac delco filter and mobil 1.

Stock LS1 PCV systems are not very good, which is what causes the oil burning.

Upgrade to the LS6 style PCV system, install a catch can between the valley cover and the intake manifold, and your oil burning problems should be gone.

**BdAsBrd01** · 06-03-2009, 07:27 PM

Originally Posted by Wesman

Stock LS1 PCV systems are not very good, which is what causes the oil burning.

Upgrade to the LS6 style PCV system, install a catch can between the valley cover and the intake manifold, and your oil burning problems should be gone.

Thanks! This whole cat problem is getting old fast.

**BdAsBrd01** · 06-03-2009, 07:32 PM

Originally Posted by sunsetorangess

Umm where exactly is it leaking? How small is small? Unless its pouring into the Cat or cat's i would find a new mechanic... Anything is possible but highly unlikely..

It's leaking at the "main seal"? Right on the motor apparently, to fix they would yank the whole motor out just to get to the place thats leaking ($900.00 of course..1,200 at dealership). It's not pouring or anything, I mean it goes through about 3/4 a quart every 3,000 miles or so. I keep the oil checked and changed. I just can't figure why the cats are stopping up. Both were replaced.