Just noticed that my cat was cherry red 2 seconds ago. when the code was pulled it said probable cause was o2 sensor, Maf, or low fuel pressure. There is a new after market fuel reg. as well as brand new MAF. Could it simply be the O2 sensor? If not im pretty sure I need a new cat but deff do not have the money. any thoughts about either deleting everything from cat back or use a straight pipe where the cat would have been? please help, very low on money and need all the help i can get.

 

BTW its a 4cyl 1.8T

 

Cats don't usually glow because they are bad. Something is causing a bad fuel mixture. Check the fuel pressure regulator. Pull the vacuum hose off & make sure you don't have fuel coming out.
If you have the capability check fuel trim values & see what the ecm is tryng to do (lean out or richen up).
It is possible the cat could be clogged but again it is usually caused by another problem.

 

Aftermarket fuel pressure regulator? Is it operating at a different pressure than your tune is designed for? If you're running a stock or Stage 1-chipped ECU then your fuel pressure should be 4bar. If your fuel pressure is something else then that could be a problem.

An old primary (pre-cat) O2 sensor will cause a richer mixture, so that could be another possibility if the previously-mentioned isn't true.

 

this was recently bought and to my knowledge it was tuned by APR I beleive. I can run at 20 lbs of boost. eventhough i get a lot of hesitation when im wot. so could all of this be due to a simple $80 part?

 

also is it safe to drive 14 miles a day w/ out making my situation any worse?

 

Not a good idea with a glowing cat!

 

so any advice on what to do. please dont just say take it to the shop.

 

Let the chip regulate your fuel like it should be...

 

Let the chip regulate your fuel like it should be...
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ok so how does that help? I havent changed anything. did u read the whole post?