WHAT IS A CATALYTIC CONVERTER?

A catalytic converter is one of the parts in your exhaust system that helps control emissions and converts some of the most harmful emissions into less harmful chemicals through a series of reactions. Your catalytic converter is critical for passing emissions and can also interfere with the engine system when it’s not working properly or is missing. Because of how the catalytic converter works, they are also relatively expensive because they use some rare or valuable elements in chemical reactions. That also means that catalytic converters will and do wear out over time. Why? Because they run out of the necessary components for the reactions that make your emissions safer and less harmful to people and the local environment.

ROTTEN EGG SMELL FROM EXHAUST

If you notice a rotten egg smell in your exhaust, that’s a pretty good indicator that there is something wrong with your catalytic converter. Problems range from the catalytic converter starting to fail all the way to non-combusted gas making its way into the catalytic converter and having either an incomplete reaction or actively clogging the converter. Other kinds of clogs can also cause problems with your catalytic converter that leads to the sulfurous smell of bad eggs. Unfortunately, most of the causes of rotten egg smell will also mean you need a new catalytic converter.

“CHECK ENGINE LIGHT” IS ON

Your Check Engine light can refer to a lot of different problems with the engine and supporting systems, but one of the problems that can show up without other symptoms is a warning about your catalytic converter. When the check engine light comes on for your catalytic converter it might be intermittent, come on without warning while you’re driving, and can even go off for days or weeks at a time. The light going out doesn’t mean that the problem is resolved, and eventually, the light will stay on constantly. As soon as you see the check engine light, even if you think it’s your catalytic converter, you should take your vehicle to a mechanic as soon as possible. That way if there is another problem or something likely to damage other components, you’ll catch it sooner rather than later.
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POOR ACCELERATION

Your catalytic converter isn’t directly involved with engine function, but problems with your catalytic converter can cause problems with your engine and can reduce efficiency and power. The main reason for this is because your catalytic converter can have an impact on the airflow in your engine, changing how it burns fuel and leading to a less efficient combustion cycle. That means that one of the signs of a failing or clogged catalytic converter is your vehicle struggling to accelerate, losing fuel efficiency, and other problems that might, at first, seem more like engine issues than catalytic converter issues.
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FAILED EMISSION TEST

Emissions testing is another place where a failed or failing catalytic converter might be detected. Depending on the kind of test your area runs, you might even have a failed emissions test before your vehicle detects the problem. However, a check engine light or almost any of the other symptoms of a failing catalytic converter can also cause a failed emission test.If you suspect that your catalytic converter needs replacement, or you need any other exhaust system maintenance, Precision Auto Care can help. Contact us to schedule your appointment sooner rather than later! _