All of the parts in your vehicle’s exhaust system rely on each other for optimal performance. One such part is the catalytic converter. The catalytic converter takes the dangerous poisons in your exhaust and converts them to safe emissions that can be released out of the tailpipe. If the catalytic converter is going bad, your vehicle’s emissions will be directly affected. Aside from this, Integrity Auto Repair lists the other signs of a malfunctioning catalytic converter below.
Reduced Acceleration
One of the problems an older catalytic converter faces is getting clogged. Because the converter works with hydrocarbons, carbon deposits build up inside it. When this happens, the engine exhaust does not flow through the converter smoothly. Rather, it backs up into the combustion chamber. Once the chamber is filled with exhaust, your acceleration will lag because the engine is not producing efficient combustion.
Reduced Engine Performance
This will also reduce your engine’s performance. It will lag, as well. You will experience sputtering as you try to pick up speed and as you try to maintain speed. This is an indication that there is not enough room in the combustion chamber for air and fuel to be burned. Rather, the clogged catalytic converter is pushing the exhaust back into the combustion chamber.
Black Engine Exhaust
Another thing that can go wrong with the catalytic converter is it can fail to do its job and leave dangerous toxins in your vehicle’s exhaust. One way you can tell that you have dangerous toxins in the exhaust is if black exhaust smoke flows out of your tailpipe. This can be assigned the catalytic converter is malfunctioning or that you have a rich fuel mixture in the combustion chamber caused by another problem.
Excessive Undercarriage Heat
When the catalytic converter does malfunction, which happens usually after 10 years of service, it will overheat. The catalytic converter is located underneath your automobile. As a consequence, you will have excessive undercarriage heat that can also cause your engine to overheat.
Rotten Egg Exhaust Odors
Finally, a sure sign that your catalytic converter is going bad is the smell of rotten eggs. You will detect this rancid odor in your vehicle’s exhaust. This being said, the odor can also come from the engine bay as it rises upward from the catalytic converter.
Call Integrity Auto Repair in Eugene, OR, today if you are experiencing any problems linked to your catalytic converter. We can replace this exhaust system part.
