Symptoms of a Malfunctioning Catalytic Converter: Diagnostic Guide

The catalytic converter plays an important role in your car's exhaust system. For example, it prevents environmental pollution by converting harmful substances in exhaust gases into safer compounds.

When a catalytic converter is not working properly, it will have far reaching consequences for your vehicle, such as reduced vehicle fuel efficiency. Therefore, it is extremely important that your catalytic converter always works properly. Read on for some telltale signs that your catalytic converter is in need of urgent repair or replacement.

The catalytic converter is one of the long-lasting components of your car's exhaust system. However, they often overheat, become clogged, damaged and fouled, resulting in reduced engine performance and eventually stalling.

Potential catalytic converter problems include leaded gas contamination, overheating caused by incomplete combustion, or oxygen sensor failure. Thus, you should be aware of the essential symptoms of a failed catalytic converter.   

Reduced acceleration force

If your car loses power when going uphill or when accelerating, chances are high that your catalytic converter is clogged. Most mechanics are usually unable to diagnose the cause of the loss of acceleration power, mainly where the catalytic converter is partially clogged.

You can use your hand to check the condition of the exhaust to determine if your catalytic converter is clogged. Place your hand on the exhaust pipe while someone revs your car between 1800 and 2000. If you feel hot exhaust flow, the catalytic converter is clogged. 

Engine misfires

A misfiring engine is one of the telltale signs of a bad catalytic converter. Whenever your car misfires, it indicates incomplete combustion in the cylinder, which means that the catalytic converter is not working efficiently.

Usually, a clogged catalytic converter overheats and can damage your car's engine. Any time you experience engine misfiring, see a trusted mechanic immediately to have your catalytic converter repaired or replaced.

Increase in emissions

Elevated carbon content in your vehicle's exhaust is an important sign of a failed catalytic converter. If your car's catalytic converter is defective, it will not reduce the amount of gas emissions in the exhaust system. If you are experiencing higher levels of carbon emissions from your vehicle, this is a clear sign that the converter is clogged. If such a converter is not repaired or replaced in time, it can damage the entire exhaust system.

Decreased engine performance

Another bad sign of a catalytic converter is reduced performance. A faulty vehicle catalytic converter will create significant back pressure that will reduce the performance of your vehicle's engine. Whenever this happens, you will notice that your vehicle shakes frequently, and if there is a sudden burst of pressure, the engine may stall even while on the road.

Check Engine Light

There are many reasons why a check engine light appears on your car's dashboard, and a faulty catalytic converter is one of them. Modern vehicles are equipped with air-fuel ratio sensors that monitor exhaust gas levels.

Every time a Check Engine Light warning appears, it is a simple notification that the converter is not working properly. However, since other mechanical issues can also activate this warning, you should have your vehicle checked by experienced mechanics for proper diagnosis and repair.

Let us change your ride

There is no doubt that the catalytic converter plays a critical role in the exhaust system of any car. It is recommended that you take your vehicle in for a professional inspection and diagnosis any time you receive a "Check Engine Light" warning or notice a decrease in engine performance, increased emissions, reduced power when accelerating, or when your vehicle's engine misfires.

Do not know where to take the car for repair and replacement of the catalyst? The Performance Muffler team has earned an outstanding reputation in Arizona for professional and unmatched catalytic converter repair and replacement services. Make an appointment today and have your vehicle's catalytic converter repaired or replaced as needed.