Thread: D2 V8 No power and left cat getting red hot

Beat on the cat with your fist (probably after it cools down) and see if it rattles. The big can looking cat on the left seems to be more likely to fail due to shape and location. I had that happen on a D1 I had, glowing red and it wouldn't rev over 2,000 because the ceramic honeycomb inside was busted up and some of it got turned around blocking flow.

Thanks mate, will try that tonight.
If it is stuffed can you just cut the Cats out and replace with straight pipe to avoid buying new Cats ??

Can't remember what the D2 cats look like but if they have a flange close to the cat body you can knock the guts out with a bar and hammer. Make sure you get all the broken chunks of ceramic "sponge" out.

You will fail an emissions test though, don't blab about that you've done it.


Also worth checking that your oxygen sensors are working (find someone to plug in a scanner), failure will make it run rich on that bank. A later Holden 4-wire one can be adapted to the D2 wiring plug.

Sounds like a bloked cat. They're only designed to last around 100,000km. Replace them with some universal high flow units - will help increase the flow in your exhaust system too.

Thanks guys,

I seperated the exhaust manifold in front of the cat but it made no difference. Still slow respose to throttle. I also changed over the MAF sensor with a new Britpart one but made no difference.

I did notice that the part numbers were slightly different though.
Original unit was Bosch 0 280 217 532. I think this number is for the 4.0 V8.
The new part was Britpart 0 280 218 010. I think this is for the 4.6 V8 but they are surpose to be interchangable.

Any thoughts on what to check or change next.

Cheers Ben....

i have a new air flow sensor part number 0280217532 for 4 ltr.And a 280218010,the 210 is larger in diameter than the 532.so wont fit the pipework (2003 disco) perhaps the internals are the same.

Maybe one of your ignition coils has failed/unplugged, the engine will run evenly on 4 cylinders and the others will just inject fuel. Try checking for spark, undo one lead at a time and fit an old plug to the lead and earth the plug with a jumper lead.

Thanks Bee Utey,

I have got only spark on 4 cylinders so I think a failed coil pack is my problem. Your dead right though, I steered clear of this because it wasn't missing at all, well it didn't seem to be. The engine was still smooth but had no power at all. Will get some coil packs and change both of them over.

Once again thanks to everyone who has helped me with this problem.

Cheers Ben...