Yes, if the timing was not set properly when replacing the belt then the exhaust valves open at the wrong point in the cycle. This will cause the catalytic converter to be dealing with gasses that are outside of the normal parameters. Either unburnt hydrocarbons or the valve opening before combustion is completed, either way it will get very hot, and potentially melt the innards and potentially plug the exhaust.
The timing mishap can be due to the cams moving when you removed the old belt, or the new belt not being put on in the right order so the slack ends up at the idler pulley.
Yes, the unburnt fuel from poor timing will enter the converter and slowly destroy it.
Heat shield on catalytic converter? Octane rating of fuel not high enough Timing too far advanced Catalytic converter itself
Plugged catalytic converter?
No, the computer will turn the check engine light on and adjust the fuel and ignition timing to a default setting which will change power and economy. It is also illegal to remove a converter without replacing it with a new one.
Plugged fuel/air filter? Plugged catalytic converter? Sloppy timing chain?
Fuel mix is too probably way to rich, the catalytic converter basically reburns incompletely burnt exhaust fumes. Check air cleaner and carb/efi system and timing. If timing is out check for stretched belt/chain. Inaccurate timing will cause fuel to be incompletely burnt and performance will suck.
Could also be plugged catalytic converter Spark plugs and/or wires Timing chain Could also be plugged catalytic converter Spark plugs and/or wires Timing chain
Plugged fuel or air filter? Plugged catalytic converter? Weak fuel pump? Timing not adjusted properly?
Broken or disconnected accelerator cable? Plugged fuel or air filter? Plugged catalytic converter? Ignition timing?
A car can backfire and die if the spark plugs are bad. The car could also have a problem with the timing or the catalytic converter .
Plugged fuel/air filter? Plugged catalytic converter? Engine timing? Check EGR Valve
Loose timing chain? Loose heat shield on catalytic converter?