The catalytic converter converts harmful toxins such as hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide, and nitrogen oxides into safer emissions such as carbon dioxide or water vapor. It is the automotive part that filters your vehicle’s emissions to reduce the harmful elements in them. This exhaust system part generally lasts approximately 10 years, and it will go bad eventually. JTR Repair lists the signs of a faulty catalytic converter below. Bring your vehicle to our shop if you are experiencing any of these things.
Acceleration Lag
Oftentimes, what causes the catalytic converter to go bad is a clog created by carbon. As the converter converts the various hydrocarbons found in your vehicle’s exhaust, carbon deposits build up. When the catalytic converter is clogged, the engine exhaust cannot exit the combustion chamber properly. This reduces your engine’s ability to produce combustion and your acceleration will lag.
Engine Lag
In fact, your engine will lag. Exhaust needs to be removed from the combustion chamber to continue the firing of air and fuel. Without this firing, the engine does not generate combustion. Consequently, a malfunctioning catalytic converter that is causing an exhaust backup can make it difficult for your vehicle’s engine to generate power, especially at high speeds.
Black Engine Exhaust
You may also see an excessive amount of black exhaust coming out of your car, truck, or utility vehicle’s tailpipe. Unfortunately, this can be an indication that you have a problem with the catalytic converter that needs to be addressed. It’s also of consequence that the catalytic converter cannot be repaired. Rather, when this part is malfunctioning, it needs to be replaced.
Rotten Egg Smells
Exhaust has an unpleasant smell as it is, but if your vehicle’s exhaust smells like rotten eggs, you have a faulty catalytic converter underneath the hood. What you are actually smelling is sulfur, but burning sulfur has the distinctive odor of eggs that have gone bad. Again, it will be necessary to replace the catalytic converter if it is producing burning sulfur.
Excessive Heat
Finally, the catalytic converter can release excessive heat underneath your vehicle when it is malfunctioning. Unfortunately, this heat rises. As a consequence, you end up with an overheating engine that will not cool down no matter what you do. This, too, is a sign that your catalytic converter has gone bad and needs to be replaced.
Call JTR Repair in Crawfordsville, IN, today if you are experiencing any of the symptoms of a malfunctioning catalytic converter listed above. We are your one-stop shop for all of your automotive service and repair needs.
