How do you know if your catalytic converter needs to be repaired or replaced? Here are five common symptoms of a bad or failing catalytic converter. The catalytic converter is your car's main component responsible for controlling engine emissions.
An increase in the level of carbon emissions coming from your exhaust is a common sign that your catalytic converter may be failing. This can be from things like antifreeze or motor oil contaminating the chemical mechanisms inside the catalytic converter.
Your on-board diagnostic system — which comes standard in all cars and trucks manufactured since — tests the catalytic converter automatically. Oxygen and air-to-fuel ratio sensors monitor the efficiency of the catalytic converter by monitoring the gas levels in your exhaust. If too much pollution is coming out of your tailpipe, your check engine light will come on.
The most common reason for a catalytic converter to fail is because a related part fails — most often, a faulty spark plug. Bad plugs can cause unburned gas to overheat inside the catalytic converter.
These plugs are inexpensive and easy to replace, so if you have a bad spark plug, be sure to take care of it before it causes damage. Read our blog post on the topic to learn how and when to change spark plugs.
If you notice a sudden decrease in your gas mileage, it could be a sign of a clogged catalytic converter , or perhaps a faulty one. When your engine gets less oxygen — or when there is resistance in the exhaust path — your engine has to work harder, which ultimately consumes more fuel, causing you to get fewer miles to the gallon.
Its main job is to reduce emissions from your car to protect the environment. A bad catalytic converter will give off higher emissions than allowed by the state. So a car with a malfunctioning catalytic converter will not pass a vehicle inspection. But they can wear out and become compromised over time too. Failing an emissions test is just one sign your catalytic converter has gone bad.
See if you spot any of the other red flags:. When this happens, the pieces break apart and rattle around inside. A bad catalytic converter often means poor fuel efficiency. When you have a clogged catalytic converter, your engine will have a hard time managing the buildup of pressure. When this happens, raw fuel may enter the catalytic converter. As we stated above, a catalytic converter will usually last for the entire life of your vehicle.
However, nothing is perfect, and there is a small chance that you will experience catalytic converter failure. If that should happen, you will notice some, if not all the following symptoms:. If you notice any of these symptoms, get in touch with us right away to schedule an appointment to have your catalytic converter tested. Lots of mileage and old age is the most common reason a catalytic converter will fail. Often you will find it has simply become clogged. It is possible it can become so clogged that no exhaust can get through to reach the muffler and escape the vehicle.
If exhaust cannot escape, there is a chance that it can harm the engine and lead to engine failure. Problems with other parts of the vehicle such as worn spark plugs, a weak ignition system, worn piston rings or a head gasket leak can also lead to catalytic converter failure. Often the first signs of catalytic converter failure are the sulfuric, rotten egg smell and the check engine light coming on.
0コメント