I believe the problem lies with push-starting cars with catalytic converters.
From http://www.tribuneindia.com/2005/200...y/motoring.htm:
"If you bump-start or push-start a car, the fuel pump will be activated before any of the systems begin to function. If the fuel pump is working, fuel which has not been fired up will flow into the exhaust system and into the catalytic converter. When the engine fires up, the excess fuel will catch fire and cause extensive damage to the catalytic converter."




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