Modern cars use oxygen and air/fuel sensors to detect whether their catalytic
converter is operating within tolerance levels, and when these sensors detect any
anomalies they activate your check engine light.
Poor fuel efficiency, jerky movement and even engine stall while driving can all be
caused by an ineffective catalyst. Furthermore, high pressure builds up which leads
to your car running hot due to increased tension build-up in its system.
1. Reduced Gas Mileage
Damaged catalytic converters can result in many symptoms, including reduced fuel
mileage. Your engine relies on properly functioning catalytic converters to ignite and
burn fuel efficiently, so any malfunction can drastically change air-fuel mixture ratio
and impact performance and efficiency.
Bad catalytic converters may reduce exhaust flow, negatively affecting power and
acceleration in your vehicle.
Rattling noises coming from underneath your car are another telltale sign of
catalytic converter failure, caused when its honeycomb interior breaks apart due to
heat or damage and pieces rattle around as you drive or restart up your engine –
something which must be resolved immediately! This serious issue should be taken
care of immediately!
2. Rattling Noises
Rattling noises coming from underneath your car indicate something is amiss with
its catalytic converter. This could occur if pieces of the ceramic honeycomb monolith
become loose due to damage or become jostled around by loose heat shields; or
when pieces break loose from being held securely.
Rattling noises typically become most audible upon starting and acceleration of an
engine, though they could also occur while idle or cold starting the car. If these
rattling sounds become louder when accelerating, this could indicate that monolith
fracture is occurring within its monolith.
Rattling sounds coming from your catalytic converter can indicate an accumulation
of fuel or coolant. To decrease this effect, using high-octane gasoline helps prevent
build-up while supporting optimal functioning of the converter.
3. Sulfur Smells
A catalytic converter’s “rotten egg smell” can be unbearable. This odor occurs
because hydrogen sulfide from gas emissions and incomplete combustion products
clog its converter; otherwise, these substances should have been converted into
sulfur dioxide which doesn’t produce such unpleasant odors.
But when your converter breaks, these byproducts leak out through your tailpipe,
signaling its malfunction and signifying that you should get it repaired or replaced as
soon as possible. Additional symptoms of an inadequate catalytic converter include
rattling noises that may occur when driving and parts of its honeycomb structure
breaking apart due to excessive heat or damage rattling against other parts of the
exhaust system causing rattle noises that indicate its condition.
4. Poor Performance
An improperly functioning catalytic converter will lead to decreased vehicle
performance, as the engine won’t receive adequate oxygenation of fuel and air for
efficient engine function. You might notice acceleration lag as well as black exhaust
from not having been treated effectively by its inefficient treatment mechanism.
Signs that your catalytic converter needs replacement are important to recognize in
order to have it professionally replaced as soon as possible. Declining gas mileage,
rattle noises or the check engine light are all strong indicators that it might be time
to see your Phoenix mechanic for inspection of the catalytic converter – failing which
the problem will only worsen over time.
5. Check Engine Light
An illuminated check engine light is one of the clearest indicators of a failing
catalytic converter. When its working incorrectly, emissions exceed federal
standards resulting in your car’s onboard computer system triggering a code and
lighting up your check engine light.
An inadequate catalytic converter will reduce airflow through the exhaust system
and impair fuel efficiency, forcing you to fill up more frequently and spend more at
the gas station if it fails.
Rattling noises may indicate a malfunctioning catalytic converter. This noise may be
produced by honeycomb material breaking apart inside the catalytic converter,
sending fragments flying throughout your exhaust system, potentially damaging
other parts of the vehicle in its path.