A malfunctioning catalytic converter will produce symptoms that are quite noticeable. The factory converter installed during your vehicle’s assembly will last approximately 10 years. If you drive an older automobile, Accurate Auto warns that if you notice any of the following problems listed below, you might have a malfunctioning or clogged catalytic converter. This exhaust system part will need to be replaced if it is going bad.
Black Engine Exhaust
The catalytic converter is responsible for the treatment of your engine’s exhaust. It takes dangerous toxins such as carbon monoxide and converts them into less harmful emissions such as carbon dioxide before the exhaust exits the tailpipe. Untreated exhaust tends to be black. If you have black exhaust smoke flowing out of your tailpipe, it’s possible that your catalytic converter has gone bad.
Hot Undercarriage
This is especially true if the exhaust is accompanied by excess heat coming from your vehicle’s undercarriage. The catalytic converter is located underneath your vehicle. As such, when it overheats, the underneath of your car, truck, or utility vehicle gets too hot. Because heat rises, your engine can overheat, as well. The catalytic converter will need to be replaced to prevent this excess heat.
Poor Engine Performance
If the converter is clogged, it can affect your engine’s performance. This is because the exhaust does not flow through the exhaust system and out the tailpipe. Rather, it gets blocked by the clogged catalytic converter and routes back into the combustion chamber. Unfortunately, this prevents fresh air and gas from burning and causes your engine to struggle to perform, especially at high speeds.
Poor Vehicle Acceleration
You will also notice a problem with your vehicle’s acceleration for the same reason. Again, there is exhaust in the combustion chamber that needs to be routed through the catalytic converter and out of the exhaust system. Unfortunately, the clogged converter keeps the exhaust in the combustion chamber, and, as a consequence, your vehicle’s acceleration will suffer and lag.
Rotten Egg Odors
Finally, when there is a problem with the catalytic converter you can usually smell it. You will detect odors that smell like rotten eggs in your car, truck, or utility vehicle’s exhaust. You may also smell these odors coming from the engine and from underneath the automobile. This is the odor a dying catalytic converter releases until such time as you replace the malfunctioning part.
Accurate Auto is located in Oregon. We have three auto service shops available to you if you believe your catalytic converter is going bad. Call the shop that is closest to you or schedule an appointment online.