# 2003 Hyundai Santa Fe - Restricted exhaust?

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/2003-hyundai-santa-fe-restricted-exhaust/163792>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Tags:** hyundai\
**Created:** [May 4, 2020, 12:13am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2003-hyundai-santa-fe-restricted-exhaust/163792 "2020-05-04T00:13:19Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![AnthonyStanley](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/bbe5ce/32.png) [@AnthonyStanley](https://community.cartalk.com/u/AnthonyStanley)\
**Post date:** [May 4, 2020, 12:13am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2003-hyundai-santa-fe-restricted-exhaust/163792/1 "2020-05-04T00:13:23Z")

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My car is surging like the fuel pump might be restricted but it also seems not to be exhausting properly I’m wondering if I have a catalytic converter going out and how can I test it

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**Author:** ![davepsinbox\_157004](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/73ab20/32.png) [@davepsinbox\_157004](https://community.cartalk.com/u/davepsinbox_157004)\
**Post date:** [May 4, 2020, 2:30am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2003-hyundai-santa-fe-restricted-exhaust/163792/2 "2020-05-04T02:30:32Z")

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What makes you think

> [@AnthonyStanley](#):
>
> it also seems not to be exhausting properly

A restriction in the exhaust is possible. You can test the catalytic converter by disconnecting the exhaust pipe that leads into it or by disconnecting the oxygen sensor. If the car runs better you’ve found a clogged converter. Whether you’re up for either is up to you. [http://knowhow.napaonline.com/bad-catalytic-converter-heres-how-to-know-for-sure/](http://knowhow.napaonline.com/bad-catalytic-converter-heres-how-to-know-for-sure/)

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**Author:** ![Tester](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/tester/32/15976_2.png) [@Tester](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Tester)\
**Post date:** [May 5, 2020, 12:20am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2003-hyundai-santa-fe-restricted-exhaust/163792/3 "2020-05-05T00:20:59Z")

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Start the engine, and while it idles watch the catalytic converter.

If it starts looking like this,

 ![](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/original/3X/e/9/e9a96861cbc2e05d4b4e5e0007d532c8d106d5ff.jpeg)

the converter is restricted.

Tester

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**Author:** ![circuitsmith](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/circuitsmith/32/40376_2.png) [@circuitsmith](https://community.cartalk.com/u/circuitsmith)\
**Post date:** [May 5, 2020, 1:50am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2003-hyundai-santa-fe-restricted-exhaust/163792/4 "2020-05-05T01:50:48Z")

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AnthonyStanley please focus more on details of the symptoms, less on guessing what part is faulty.  
When does it surge, like cruising or accelerating?