I recently had my 1989 Ford Escort in to my mechanic to fix a hole in my exhaust pipe caused by a "misplaced" catalytic convertor put in four years ago. After driving it for nearly one month with little or no problems, it began cutting out. It never completely died but would jump around for awhile, get better, jump around again but never die. My mechanic is stumped as am I. I can't help thinking the "fix" to realign the catalytic convertor is somehow at fault.

Did you reset the code?

Try some of this to clean the fouling in the rest of the system,

Dura Lube Severe Catalytic & Exhaust Treatment -16 oz ...

https://www.duralube.com > products > severe-catalytic...

$24.99 $22.99 ... Dura Lube Severe Catalytic & Exhaust Treatment is formulated to protect and treat the Catalytic Converter & Exhaust System from oil poisons.
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Replace it no fix for convertors, Not legal to use with faulty convertor .

defective catalytic convertor. It may be plugged up.Make sure ALL the exhaust line from intake manifold(at engine block) to final exhaust pipe are not clogged up.You have reverse exhaust pressure going back towards engine manifold.

take it to an exhaust shop they will tell you whats wrong and if there is a problem they will fix it, there not a cheap fix so shop around.

In the early 90's Ford was puttung the catalytic convertors at the end of ththe exhaust manifold, between it and the exhaust pipe. Therefore you should have as many catalytic convertors as you have exhaust manifolds. A "V" engine would have 2. hope this helps.

Section 309-00: Exhaust Components - General Information 1997 Escort, Tracer Workshop Manual REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION Three Way Catalytic Converter (TWC) Removal

1. CAUTION: When servicing the exhaust system or removing exhaust components, disconnect the heated oxygen sensors at the wiring harness to prevent damage to the sensors and harness.
   Disconnect the heated oxygen sensor (HO2S) electrical connectors.

1. Remove the (A) five nuts and remove the (B) exhaust manifold heat shield.

1. Remove the four exhaust manifold to three way catalytic converter (TWC) nuts.

1. Raise and support the vehicle; refer to Section 100-02 .

1. Disconnect the downstream HO2S and position it aside.

1. Remove the two TWC bracket bolts.

1. Remove the two (A) TWC to muffler inlet pipe bolts and nuts and the (B) TWC. Discard the gasket.

bank 1 sensor 1 is driver side exhaust pipe in front of catalytic converter, bank 1 sensor 2 is drivers side exhaust pipe behind catalytic converter, bank 2 sensor 1 is passenger side exhaust pipe in front of catalytic converter, bank 2 sensor 2 is passenger side exhaust pipe behind catalytic converter.

The converter on this car is very specific as it is part of the mid pipe between the exhaust manifold and exhaust pipe. www.rockauto.com has one listed for $167 plus shipping.

I have a 1989 Probe LX and I had a problem that felt like vapor lock... it was cutting out and driving real slugish with a huge loss of power. My mechanic played around with it and found way too much exhaust back pressure. He replaced the exhaust pipe from the manifold to the tailpipe and that fixed the problem, which turned out to be the catalytic converter rusting out and it collaped on the inside, blocking off most of the exhaust before it could go out the tailpipe. expensive problem solved, car runs great now!

It's possible (= probably not) that the catalytic convertor has failed and debris is randomly clogging the muffler.

The next time it occurs, leave it idling and listen at the tailpipe of the exhaust system.
If you hear a pronounced hiss instead of the throbbing of the engine, the exhaust system is at fault.