Catalytic converters are essential components of your car’s exhaust system that
help mitigate harmful pollutants. Made up of platinum, palladium and rhodium
materials, catalytic converters use chemical reactions to transform dangerous gases
into less harmful substances that will escape through its exhaust system.
Over time, your catalytic converter may become defective and cause numerous
issues such as rattling noises, fuel vapor emissions and poor gas mileage resulting in
engine stall outs. If your fuel efficiency has decreased or you find yourself filling up
your tank more often it could be down to a malfunctioning cat.
1. Loss of Power
Your catalytic converter is an integral component of your car’s exhaust system and
works to remove harmful pollutants such as carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, sulfur
dioxide and ground-level ozone from its exhaust stream.
Your vehicle’s catalytic converter must be checked regularly as it will deteriorate
over time. If you experience an increase in fuel vapor or power loss during
acceleration, that could be an indication that its performance has declined and
needs replacing.
Another sign of a failing catalytic converter includes engine noises such as rattling or
knocking, check engine light illuminates or reduced gas mileage. As driving with an
ineffective converter can damage your engine irreparably, it is imperative that it is
repaired as soon as possible; in extreme cases your converter could even become
fused over time or directly and require replacement immediately.
2. Rattling Noises
An improper catalytic converter can produce loud rattling noises when driving your
car, typically caused by honeycomb monoliths disintegrating and causing
components inside it to rattle around. A loose or broken heat shield that protects it
against excessive heat could also contribute to this issue.
With constant usage and extensive wear-and-tear, catalytic converters can begin to
break apart over time. Over time, their ceramic honeycomb monoliths may
disintegrate, leaving broken pieces to rattle around your engine and exhaust
system.
As this can create noise and potentially cause serious issues down the line, if you
hear any rattling sounds while driving it is important to get your catalytic converter
repaired as quickly as possible as this could result in loss of acceleration power,
engine misfiring and/or stalling.
3. Fuel Vapor
If you experience decreased acceleration power when accelerating, rattling sounds
while driving or fuel vapor coming from your exhaust, it could be time for an
inspection of the catalytic converter. This car part features a honeycomb structure
filled with highly prized metals like palladium, rhodium and platinum which act as
catalysts to break down toxic chemicals in engine exhaust emissions.
Catalytic converters typically last 10 or more years when properly maintained and
cared for; however, continuing driving with one that has become contaminated,
overheated, clogged or physically damaged should not be done. Driving a damaged
catalytic converter could result in your car failing its emissions test, which could
ultimately lead to registration cancellation and subsequent fines for failing it.
4. Check Engine Light
Your car contains an onboard computer which monitors engine performance. Should
there be an issue with either the engine itself, timing belt, or connecting rods, or
another part, this computer will alert you via its check engine light indicator.
Check engine lights can alert drivers of various issues with their car, from minor
conditions like a loose gas cap to serious conditions such as a failing catalytic
converter or misfiring engine. Ignoring these warning lights will result in costly
repairs later, so make sure the issue is dealt with as soon as it arises.
If you detect an unpleasant, sulfurous odor while driving, this could be a telltale sign
that your catalytic converter is malfunctioning. Sulfate is responsible for this stench
which your converter converts into non-odorous gases like nitrogen or carbon
monoxide.
5. Reduced Gas Mileage
Catalytic converters play a vital role in keeping your car healthy by filtering out
harmful carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons and nitrogen oxides from its exhaust
system – pollutants which may contribute to breathing illnesses as well as
contributing to air pollution and smog.
If your catalytic converter becomes malfunctioning, it won’t be able to transform
pollutants into harmless substances as before – which will force your engine to work
harder and use more fuel; which eventually leads to reduced mileage.
If your catalytic converter is acting up, it’s time for replacement. A rotten egg or
sulfur aroma from your exhaust, rattle-like sounds like half-empty boxes of jigsaw
puzzles being rattled about and reduced power when accelerating could all indicate
that something’s amiss with it.