I was driving fairly hard for about 5-10minutes. I got to my friends place and we notice smoke coming from the hood. I didn't want to open the hood b/c who knows what could have happened in there....so I looked underneath the car and I have smoke coming out of my catalytic converter on the passenger side (I have a GS400) . I opened the hood later and everything looked fine from above the engine.

Has anyone had this before? I do have a P0161 I've been putting off (bank 2, sensor 2 O2 sensor) so I'm thinking that's the culprit... any insight is welcome.

TIA

 

Sounds like the cat might be clogged. I got to change mine out, I get the methane smell when getting on it. But I have no codes.

 

If you have been running super rich for a long time you may have damaged your cat, if that's the case it will need to be replaced. Probably don't want to put that off as you could quite easily start a fire if not addressed.

 

Could be some type of oil leak hitted the exhaust system and caused smoke emitting out.

 

If this is the case (most likely rear main seal...), I am going to SCREAM. I just did my valve cover gasket, cam seals, front main seal, water pump, timing belt, and serpentine belt!!!!!!

 

You can tell if it was oil by the smoke. It would have been blue in color and have a very distinctive oil smell to it.

 

I and a few others have had the same problem.
Before you go crazy lift the car up and make sure the oil filter is tight. If its not, like it happened to me, as you are driving oil will leak and fly all over the exhaust making it smoke.
hope this helps

 

There it is... Stomping on the gas pedal for long periods.. A bad idea considering the high sulfur content in todays fuels.. The #1 killer of cat convertors especially on the older 2GS..