Catalytic Converter

[miller28106]

I have a 1990 Infiniti Q45 with about 193K. (Fully rebuilt at 45k). Recently I began smelling what I assume to be the Catalytic converter destroying itself. Rotten egg smell. This is a really bad time ($$) to have to replace this system.

My question is 1) My wife has been putting regular rather than Hi test gasoline in the car for the past few months. I had always used hi test. Could this be the cause?

2) what is the least expensive route to get this fixed? Is there an acceptable aftermarket system?

Thanks!

[Mayhem_J30]

if the cats are rotting it's probably from being 12 years old and having 193K on them.the cheapest route if you live somewhere that doesn't have VET or some sort of inspection would be just remove them. that's illegal BTW.

[Q45tech]

You smell sulfur because the brand [refinery] you are using contains a high amount of sulfur........The Q requires PREMIUM no ifs buts about it.....which is generally lower in sulfur.

When is the last time you changed your O2 sensors, thermostat,etc an overly rich engine or just a cooler than normal [176F] one can run excessively rich quickly destroying the cats.Changing the cats without fixing the cause is a waste of money.

193k is pretty well done unless you have spent significant [$5-$10k] money on R&R. Remember the car is only worth $2500 [if you can find someone to buy a car with that high mileage] running and $1000 broke at best!