Ok, so I have a 2007 S that needed the typical oil filter housing gasket replaced. After taking off the cat I noticed a slight rattling noise inside the cat. I tilted it and out came a handful of what looks like small acorns. All black and burnt looking but many intact shapes. I can only assume that thus is the food source for the squirrels inside the engine. Anyone else run across this? I've heard of using walnut shells on the intake side, but on the exhaust? And I guess these would have made it past the turbo? Should I add fresh acorns so the squirrels will continue to power my Mini? Inquiring minds would like to know....

 

Oh yeah! we have chipmunks around here who stash nuts and seeds in our cars all the time. I have an old MG that I stored one year in a Harbor Frieght tent. When I started it in the spring, about a gallon of nuts shot out of the exhaust.

At least they are going in the exhaust and not chewing the wires.

 

That's funny. Weird thing about this is that it's between the turbo and the engine side of the cat.

 

They can squeeze through some pretty small spaces, it wouldn't surprise me to see them find their way just about anywhere.

 

Your cat is disintegrating.

 

Pix!!!

 

Yes, pics, please! There is no way any animal is going to get through the intake system, past the throttle plate, and deposit debris or nuts in there. Likewise, they cannot climb into your exhaust and place debris or nuts in your catalytic converter, especially not on the manifold (inlet) side.

 

Sounds like time for a cat replacement. Get a free evaluation at a Midas or a Meineke to confirm.

http://new.minimania.com/part/G2NME2...e-Gen2-R55-r61

http://new.minimania.com/part/G2NME5...n2-Oem-R55-r61

Drive Hard. Drive Safe. Keep Grinning.

 

I agree, your cat-convert is breaking apart inside.

 

Ok, so here's a pic and my thoughts after a bit of time to really think about it. Cat is not falling apart and looks fine (and I've seen a few). My theory is that the previous owner took it off the engine and didn't replace it for some time while he worked on the engine. That would have given the little critters the time to use it for storage. I'm with Renchjeep, there is no way it could have gotten to that spot otherwise.

 

Those are deff acorns ha and your last theory is the only one that would make sense to me.

 

That pix is priceless!

Drive Hard. Drive Safe. Keep Grinning.

 

My cat still has his nuts!

 

Kinda look somewhat like coffee beans. Have you been grinding your coffee in your engine? Maybe medium roast wasn't enough and your engine carefully achieved a nice, deep French Roast?