6 Symptoms of a Bad Catalytic Converter
A catalytic converter (not the Cadillac catalytic converter some say) helps filter out carbon monoxide (and other toxic gases) that your car produces from the outside air we breathe. While you probably won’t need to repair or replace your catalytic converter, sometimes it can fail. Learn the symptoms of a bad catalytic converter, what causes it, and how much it costs to replace it.
Symptoms of a Bad Catalytic Converter
Here are 6 common symptoms that indicate a clogged or damaged catalytic converter.
1) Your exhaust smells like rotten eggs
If your exhaust smells like rotten eggs, that’s a sure sign that your catalytic converter is bad. Gasoline contains small amounts of sulfur, which is converted into hydrogen sulfide during the combustion process. When a catalytic converter works as intended, it converts smelly hydrogen sulfide into odorless sulfur dioxide.
2) “Check Engine Light” Lit
If your car’s catalytic converter is broken or defective, the “Check Engine Light” will light up on your dashboard. Modern vehicles are equipped with oxygen sensors that can monitor the efficiency of the catalytic converter by checking the gas content in the exhaust.
The driver knows something is wrong, even if they don’t know exactly what the problem is, because the light can mean a variety of things.
The best way to retrieve trouble codes from your car is with a diagnostic scan tool. P0420 and P0430 are two common trouble codes that indicate a catalytic converter failure.
3) Poor Acceleration
One of the most common symptoms of a clogged catalytic converter is a lack of engine power, especially when trying to accelerate, such as while driving. B. If you have to quickly pass another vehicle. A partially clogged catalytic converter occurs when too much carbon builds up on the honeycomb structure or when the internal parts begin to melt due to the excessive heat of unburned fuel.
Proper exhaust gas flow is necessary for an engine to operate at peak performance. If a clogged catalytic converter limits power, you may experience reduced power when accelerating, driving uphill, or towing heavy loads. If the clog is due to carbon buildup, flushing the catalytic converter can clear the clog.
4) Failing an Emissions Test
In most parts of the United States, your car must pass an emissions test every few years to ensure that it is burning fuel properly and not emitting dangerous gases into the atmosphere. One of the most common reasons for failing an emissions test is a defective catalytic converter.
5) Rattling Noises
If some of the honeycomb material in your catalytic converter breaks off due to excessive heat or damage, you may hear a rattling noise under your vehicle while idling or driving. The noise is often loudest when starting the car.
These chunks of melted material can actually migrate further into the exhaust system and muffler, so you should replace your catalytic converter as soon as possible. This blockage can cause your car to stall or not start.
6) Reduced Fuel Economy
A clogged catalytic converter can reduce airflow, causing your car to use more fuel than necessary. Related to the poor acceleration symptom above, a lack of exhaust flow also causes poor acceleration and harder acceleration. However, when combined with any of the signs above, it can be a good indicator.