When to change the catalytic converter?

No car owner wants to drive a noisy and underpowered car. Whenever your car's catalytic converter isn't working effectively, you'll have to deal with issues like engine misfiring and loss of power when accelerating.

The catalytic converter in your car converts harmful emissions into a harmless gas. The catalytic converter usually lasts about 10 years, so it should be replaced. You should also replace the transducer if you encounter other obvious problems such as clogging or physical damage. You Must Replace Your Catalytic Converter If you don't repair or replace your vehicle's catalytic converter on time, you run the risk of your engine completely stalling. The Performance Muffler team is committed to keeping your vehicle running efficiently by repairing or replacing a clogged catalytic converter. Read on to find out when it's time to replace your catalytic converter.

Why is the catalytic converter important?

The catalytic converter (cat) is a component of your vehicle's exhaust system that prevents harmful substances from being released into the environment. The cat converts harmful substances such as toxic carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons into harmless compounds such as carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides and water.

Ideally, a catalytic converter keeps your car running smoothly by negating harmful chemicals in the exhaust. That's why it's important to take care of it as soon as you find it failing.

But when do you know that you need to replace the catalytic converter?

Possible problems with the catalytic converter: why it fails

Catalytic converters are designed for a long service life. However, nature and time can affect the efficiency of the converter, especially when the motor is not working properly. For example, spent spark plugs and coolant leaks (exhaust leaks) can cause the catalytic converter to overheat.

In other cases, the accumulation of soot in the exhaust gases may interfere with the normal operation of the inverter. If the catalytic converter is not working properly, it is recommended that it be repaired or replaced as soon as possible.

Catalytic Converter Service: When to Replace Yours

One of the reasons cars are fitted with catalytic converters is to reduce air pollution. While this in itself is a good reason to keep your catalytic converter in good condition, there are other practical reasons to fix your car's cat whenever it has problems. For example, if not corrected, the inverter may overheat and eventually stall the motor.

Here are a few cases when you need to replace the catalytic converter:

• If it's stolen

A catalytic converter is essential to reduce pollution and keep your car's engine running smoothly. If it is absent, then harmful chemicals will be released into the air. Catalytic converters are made from small amounts of palladium, rhodium and platinum, which are valuable metals among scrap metal dealers. If it is stolen, you should replace it as soon as possible given that the U.S. Clean Air Act requires all cars made after 1974 to be equipped with catalytic converters.

• Engine misfiring

The performance of your engine and vehicle as a whole depends on the complete combustion of fuel. A defective catalytic converter will result in incomplete combustion in the cylinder. This scenario affects engine efficiency and can make it difficult for your vehicle to start. Any time you notice engine misfiring, you need to replace the catalytic converter immediately.

• Bad smell from the exhaust

When the catalytic converter is in good condition, all the chemicals in the exhaust system are converted into safe compounds. However, if the converter is not working properly, you will smell rotten eggs or sulfur coming from the exhaust. This is a sure sign that your converter needs to be replaced.

• Sluggish engine operation

If your vehicle's engine performance is deteriorating, there is a high chance that the converter is not working as expected. When the converter fails, it results in back pressure, which degrades the performance of the motor. If you do not replace or repair their inverter immediately, it may affect the motor causing it to stall.

Let us change your ride

A properly functioning catalytic converter is not only important for the environment, but also for the performance of your vehicle. Given that numerous aspects can affect the performance of your vehicle, you can determine if your cat needs replacement by looking for signs such as sluggish engine performance, bad exhaust odors, and engine misfiring. If you notice any of these telltale signs, schedule an appointment today with Performance Muffler in Phoenix, Arizona for a reliable catalytic converter repair or replacement.