If your car needs gas more often than normal, this could be an indicator that its
catalytic converter has begun failing. This component helps the engine burn fuel
more efficiently while expending less emissions, so an ineffective one could lead to
poor fuel economy as well as a rattling sound from its engine.
Rattling
Exhaust gases entering a converter pass through an inner honeycomb mesh lined
with catalysts that trigger chemical reactions to convert carbon monoxide, nitrogen
oxide and hydrocarbons to less-toxic forms. If you hear rattling sounds coming from
underneath your car, this could indicate that either its honeycomb mesh has broken
or collapsed; or that oxygen sensors have temporarily been disconnected from its
catalytic converter causing its temporary shutdown resulting in such sounds being
heard as well.
Other noises caused by an inadequate catalytic converter include pinging, ticking
and popping noises that indicate potential issues with its operation. Each noise
indicates different issues within its converter’s workings.
Clogged or failing converters can reduce engine power and acceleration, prevent
you from passing an emissions test, and generate noise that’s both annoying to you
and harmful to the environment. Regular cleaning can help eliminate or reduce this
sound – saving both money and repair bills!
Smells like rotten eggs
An unpleasant rotten egg smell is an immediate telltale of trouble with your catalytic
converter. This stench emanates from an engine combustion process where sulfurbased compounds form. When functioning correctly, catalytic converters convert
gasoline’s sulfur content to harmless sulfur dioxide for emission into the
atmosphere; but when failing or stolen they cannot process this waste properly and
it egresses from their system via exhaust.
Clogged or damaged catalytic converters can cause engines to run too rich, leading
to engine misfires, burning oil consumption, bad spark plugs and malfunctioning fuel
pressure sensors – as well as leading to possible head gasket issues if left untreated.
Therefore, it’s essential that if any symptoms arise such as these are promptly
investigated to save both time and money in the long run; new catalytic converters
may produce some unpleasant odors while breaking in properly.
Loss of power
A catalytic converter is an essential component in any vehicle. Its job is to convert
harmful emissions from combustion to more eco-friendly elements like carbon
dioxide, oxygen and water – helping make driving greener while making you and
others safer on the road.
Clogged catalytic converters can lead to power losses in vehicles due to back
pressure created by disrupting an engine’s air-fuel ratio and creating back pressure
within. As a result, your car might feel jerky or lack power when you apply the gas
pedal, making acceleration seem futile.
Your check engine light may also illuminate if your catalytic converter becomes
compromised, since sensors installed within your exhaust system monitor its
performance and, should it fail, this warning will trigger. Do not ignore this alert as
doing so could lead to expensive repairs down the line.
Engine stalling
As soon as your catalytic converter starts to break down, rattling sounds will begin
emanating from beneath your car. These sounds typically occur while running or
idling and become louder during acceleration. Rattling sounds result from excess
heat breaking the honeycomb structure inside of the converter.
This problem is easily identifiable since it will trigger your check engine light to
come on. A qualified mechanic should be able to quickly ascertain its cause by
retrieving error codes from your vehicle’s computer and scanning.
An engine’s breathing capacity will be severely restricted when its catalytic
converter fails, leading to engine stalling issues while driving or idling. Engine
stalling problems are both dangerous and costly to resolve; for this reason it is wise
to have your catalytic converter checked out by a professional before getting caught
in traffic and having your engine stall. Many factors could contribute to it happening
so early detection is key.