1988 Buick Regal No Start After Cat Failure

BUICK RIVIERA
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TTMV
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HAVE A 1988 BUICK REAGLE 2.8 MOTOR 45K MILES
I DRIVE THE CAR AND IT IS KIND OF SLUGISH BUT I GIVE IT A LITTLE GAS AND IT GOES BUT WHEN I COME TO STOP SOMETIMES IT STALLS THEN IT WAS STARTING A LITTLE HARD I DROVE IT TO THE STORE AND WHEN I CAME OUT I BARELY GOT IT STARTED
WHEN I GOT IT STARTED IT WOULD ONLY DO ABOUT 20 MPH I HAD NO POWER LOOKED UNDER THE CAR THE CONVERTER WAS CHERRY RED
SO I CHANGED IT
I THOUGHT IT WAS PLUGGED
NOW WHEN I TURN THE CAR OVER IT WONT START ?????????
JUST FIRES AND POPS LIKE ITS FLOODED OR SOMETHING
SOMETIMES IT ALMOST STARTS RUNS ON 1 CYLINDER OR SOMETHING
IT LASTS FOR LIKE 15 SEC'S . THEN DIES ??
CAN YOU PLEASE HELP ME FIGURE OUT WHAT IS DOING THIS ASAP ??PLEASE & THANK YOU
Feb 6, 2007 at 5:44 AM
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SERVICE WRITER
  • ✓Experienced Mechanic
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What probably started happening that caused the converter to go bad is still present. Raw fuel is likley getting into the cat as it hasn't been burning well.

I would be suspicious of a cracked crank shaft position sensor.

Pulling codes may help.
Feb 6, 2007 at 1:09 PM
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TTMV
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Thank you !!!
I will look into this : )
Feb 6, 2007 at 11:45 PM

Suggested Repair

The overheated converter was likely caused by unburned fuel still entering the exhaust. Inspect the crankshaft position sensor for cracks, and pull diagnostic codes to find why the engine is misfiring and failing to start.

Conversation Summary

The owner of a 1988 Buick with a 2.8 engine reported sluggish running, stalling, hard starting, and loss of power, then found the catalytic converter glowing cherry red. After replacing the converter, the engine would only fire, pop, briefly run poorly, and die. The expert said raw fuel was likely still reaching the converter and recommended checking for a cracked crankshaft position sensor and pulling codes.

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