Steam Engine Sound While Accelerating
 

I have a 2000 Honda Civic. When you accelerate and once the RPM gets up to around 2-3k it makes a steam engine sound (best way I can describe it), sort of like when you force air or liquid through a pipe under a lot of pressure, like a PSHH...PSHH...PSHH...PSHH sound. When you let off the gas it stops. When you're in park it doesn't do it. Also seems like the car doesn't have the power it once had. Definitely doesn't accelerate very well. I called a mechanic and they told me it sounds like the cat converter is clogged?

Has anyone ever had a similar problem happen to their car?

It seems like the sound is coming from the front of the car, not the rear.

Thanks!

Re: Steam Engine Sound While Accelerating
 

Where is the cat on your car?

Disconnect the exhaust between the engine and cat.
Does it run a lot better?
If you can't do that, then remove the primary O2 sensor and drive it.
Does it run a little better?
Plug in a pressure gauge into the primary O2 sensor port and measure backpressure at wide open throttle + redline (maximum needed flow).

Re: Steam Engine Sound While Accelerating
 

Turns out it was the catalytic converter after all. Thanks for the feedback though!