Symptoms of a Bad Catalytic Converter
A vital component of the vehicle’s emissions system is the catalytic converter, and they are generally built to last the lifetime of the car, but if they get clogged, they will fail. When this occurs, as is always the case with older vehicles, the exhaust gases of the car can not get through the muffler.
It means that those gases can not get out of the car’s vehicle and can not vent through the front, consequently causing the engine to die because there is no suitable fuel and air mixture. This makes the catalytic converter not do its job correctly.
The only question is, how do you search for a bad catalytic converter. The symptoms of a clogged catalytic converter are highlighted below;
- Sluggish Engine Performance: If a catalytic converter develops any issues, it may affect the vehicle’s engine since it’s installed within the car’s exhaust system. If the converter gets blocked or clogged, it will restrict the exhaust flow, which will cause a reduction in the car’s acceleration, power, and fuel economy.
This will also happen if the catalytic converter gets cracked since a broken converter will leak. This will cause you to have trouble getting your car started.
- Reduced Acceleration: If you noticed your vehicle doesn’t accelerate properly when you step your foot on the gas pedal, it could be another sign your catalytic converter is clogged. Also, as you begin to accelerate, if your car jerks or stalls entirely, it is likely that no fuel enters the engine; an aged catalytic converter may be the cause of this.
- Dark Exhaust Smoke: The exhaust smoke that comes from the tailpipe of your car is usually dark. A clogged catalytic converter makes it harder for the exhaust to escape your engine, so when it comes out, it builds up and is thicker and darker.
- The smell of Sulfur or Rotten Eggs from the Exhaust: It’s a telltale sign of a failed catalytic converter if you detect anything that seems like rotten eggs from the exhaust. Gasoline contains a small amount of sulfur, which, during the combustion process, converts to hydrogen sulfide. The conversion does not happen when the catalytic converter is wrong, and some of the unburnt gases containing the smelly hydrogen sulfide leave your exhaust.
- Excessive Heat under the Vehicle: When you notice extreme heat coming out of your vehicle’s exhaust, it’s a sign that your catalytic converter is probably faulty.
- The Check Engine Light Appears: For some issues, the control engine light will come on, and one of them is a failing catalytic converter. The “check engine” light will show if the car senses that the catalytic converter is not operating correctly or catalyzing the exhaust gases the correct way. This happens because, by monitoring the gas levels in the exhaust, the oxygen and air-fuel ratio sensors control the catalytic converter’s performance.
- Reduced Fuel Efficiency: The lower airflow will cause your car to consume more fuel than it needs when you have a blockage in your catalytic converter. Linked to the low weak acceleration symptom above, you are forced to step on the gas pedal more because acceleration is impacted when you do not have sufficient exhaust flow. This is due to the engine pumping more fuel into the cylinders, causing the car to have a mixture of energy that is much richer than required.
Since a decline in your gas mileage is a sign of several other problems, it doesn’t mean you need to repair your catalytic converter on your own. But it could be a positive predictor paired with one of the signs above.
- Rattling Noise: The consequence of a few vehicle issues might be a rattling noise, but it could be your catalytic converter. If due to rich fuel mixtures, it gets old or damaged internally, its meshes can collapse or fall apart, which is where the rattle comes from.
- Failed Vehicle Emission Test: Catalytic converters are not only necessary for the atmosphere but are also essential for helping drivers pass emission checks. As the catalytic converter is part of the emission system of your car, it would make sense that a failed emission test for vehicles would be a sign of a defective catalytic converter.