Signs Of A Bad Catalytic Converter

The catalytic converter is a key component of the exhaust system of a car. It changes some properties of the harmful gases produced as the byproduct running the engine. As a result, the emitted gasses make a less damaging impact on the environment. It’s important to know about the bad catalytic converter symptoms so that you can spot them immediately and take the vehicle to a servicing shop for maintenance.

What Are Bad Catalytic Converter Symptoms?

A failing catalytic converter is not uncommon at all. Any external impact such as debris on the road or overheating of the engine’s internal components can affect it. Let’s see some of the symptoms of bad catalytic converter.

1. Engine Misfiring
The catalytic converter can overheat and show signs of failing when the engine misfires. Also, you will see the similar signs when there is a very rich fuel mixture in the oil tank. Extremely rich fuel mixture causes ignition by making raw fuel entering the converter. The condition is dangerous since it can melt the catalyst components.bad catalytic converter symptoms
Misfiring of the engine could be a warning sign

2. Loss of Power When Accelerating
Losing power during acceleration or going uphill is one of the most common clogged catalytic converter symptoms. Mechanics often misdiagnose this cause, especially in case of partial clogging, and suggest changing of a few components, which is unnecessary.

You can be sure about this problem by applying a simple test. Apart from the obvious low-powered acceleration, you can check the exhaust with your hand. Ask an assistant to hold the car’s rpm at between 1800 and 2000 while you will check the exhaust push with your hand from behind the tailpipe. If you get a hot feeling of exhaust flow, the converter is definitely clogged.

3. Degraded Performance
An overall degradation in the engine performance is another sign. It happens because of the back pressure that the failing converter creates, affecting the engine and preventing it from running freely. It makes your car shake and the sudden burst of pressure can sometimes stall the engine too while you are driving.

4. Reduced Exhaust System Performance
Another way to notice bad catalytic converter symptoms is to keep an eye on the exhaust system’s performance. It will degrade if the converter is failing and the problem can be traced back to an error in the fuel system.

The exhaust system will show degraded performance.
5. Fuel Vapor
If your vehicle has a carburetor instead of a fuel injection, you can be sure of a poor catalytic converter by doing the fuel vapor test. Remove the air cleaner and ask an assistant to flash a torchlight near the carburetor intake. Rev the engine and see if there’s a cloud of vapored fuel over the carburetor. If this is the case, you can assume without a trace of doubt that your car’s catalytic converter has a clog.

6. Increased Emissions
Increasing emissions is one of the bad catalytic converter symptoms you should notice. When a converter is failing, it can’t do its job properly, which is to reduce gaseous emission. So, a high level of carbon emission is the obvious consequence of a bad exhaust system. This is a serious problem as it can lead to the damage of the entire exhaust system if you don’t fix it quickly.

7. Stolen Catalytic Converter
Catalytic converters are frequently stolen due to the precious metals inside. Converters contain small amounts of platinum, rhodium and palladium, all of which have value for metal dealers.

8. Catalytic Converter Need Regular Maintained
Further small symptoms of a bad catalytic converter are: Reduced acceleration, sluggish engine performance, excessive heat under the vehicle, dark exhaust smoke, the smell of sulfur or rotten eggs from the exhaust. Some of those symptoms can also result from other defective parts of the emissions system, so it’s important to get a mechanic diagnose when it’s time to replace your catalytic converter. Keeping your exhaust, emissions and combustion systems in good shape will minimize the risk of your catalytic converter failing before its time to break down – often 10 years or more.

How Long Can You Drive With A Bad Catalytic Converter?
How long can you drive with a bad catalytic converter?
If your beloved car is showing symptoms of bad catalytic converter, you may want to know that driving with a bad catalytic converter is okay or not and how many miles you can drive with the bad catalytic converter. Here is the answer for you.

1. A Bad Catalytic Converter Can Be Driven Indefinitely
Driving with a bad catalytic converter is not too dangerous. If some small parts of your catalytic converter is plugged, you can still drive your car as usual. However, you will see there is a drop in the performance of the catalytic converter. In case the catalytic converter is totally plugged, it will prevent you from running your vehicle. Some situations, the catalytic converter might come to be completely fused directly or overtime, then you need to replace it immediately.

2. A Bad Catalytic Converter Can Burn Through Overtime
The inner fiber of your catalytic converter may be burned through if the car engine is running or burning oil too much. It doesn’t matter if you still drive your car as far as you want, but you will observe a smell and some smoke.

Conclusion
Most of problems related to catalytic converter do not affect the function of your vehicle. But if you have to face with a fully plugged catalytic, keep driving your car is the thing you have to avoid. In some countries, it is illegal if you drive a car with a damaged catalytic converter since smog from your car will cause many bad impacts on environment. Thus, get your car a new catalytic converter is what you need to do in this case.

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