1992 325 cat converter rattle

[seven]

I have a 1992 325 with a rattle in the cat converter. seems worst when the car is cold and then almost goes away completely when the car warms up. I have checked the outside of the cat and it is in great shape I just don't know what would cause this and a good course to fix it without spending the money on a new cat. does anybody have any ideas? any help would be great Thanks

[fastshivy]

The inside of the cat looks like a honeycomb and it starts to break up over time.The little pieces just rattle around inside. These pieces will work there way to the outlet, eventually plugging it up.You will get a loss of performance etc.

I have heard of people taking them off and just beating the insides out with a long thin bar down the neck;Then shaking everything out.They justify this by saying, it is not working anyway. This of course is illegal and the car would not pass an emissions inspection.

Sounds like it is time to replace it>

[seven]

I was thinking the same thing. was hoping it was something different looks like a new exhaust is in the works maybe a performance upgrade and suggestions? You guys always seem to have the best ideas

[Othniel13]

I have a 97 328i with the same rattle. When I inspected it closely, I found that it is the heat shield. I have since noticed other E36's with the same sound.

I have yet to address this since, like you said, it seems to go away when warm. The Cats work fine since I blew through emissions with the rattle.

[MrInFiNiT3]

Its a 92! that means its obd1 and the cat can be replaced by a generic (fit all) type which are cheep close to 100$ from summitracing.com then just take it down to a muffler shop and have your "brackets" (cant think of the words atm lol on a shit ton of vicodin)welded on to the new cat.

[Ivan]

i have a rattle too prob what it is