Virtually
all automobiles manufactured today contain an exhaust component known
as the catalytic converter, which reduces the amounts of pollutants
emitted by a car. Inside of the catalytic converter lies a ceramic
honeycomb covered in a washcoat containing platinum and other
reactive metals. These metals break down toxic exhaust gases into
relatively benign ones.
A
catalytic converter may easily remain functional for the life span of
a vehicle. Yet if the delicate internal structure becomes damaged or
excessively clogged, the converter may cease to function. If you
would like to boost your automotive troubleshooting skills, keep
reading. This article takes a closer look at five signs that your car
may have a failing catalytic converter.
1.
Poor Fuel Economy
A
clogged or damaged catalytic converter cannot process exhaust as
quickly as intended. As the flow rate slows down, exhaust gases start
backing up inside of your engine. These gases inadvertently taint the
fresh air flowing into the engine. As a result, combustion cannot
proceed as efficiently as it should.
The
more the exhaust gases back up, the poorer your car's fuel economy
becomes. Simply put, your engine cannot get the most out of its
gasoline. Pay attention to how often you head to the pump. A decrease
in your overall miles per gallon may indicate catalytic converter
problems.
2.
Hesitant Acceleration
The
backup of exhaust gases inside of your engine negatively affects more
than just your fuel economy. Your engine also struggles to generate
its normal amounts of power, especially when attempting to
accelerate. The oxygen sensor in your car often exacerbates the
hesitant acceleration caused by a bad catalytic converter.
Because
the backed-up exhaust gases leave less room for fresh air, the
exhaust coming out of your engine contains lower-than-usual oxygen
levels. The oxygen sensor reads this as a rich fuel scenario and
correspondingly cuts back on the amounts of gasoline entering the
engine during each cycle. This fuel reduction only makes it more
difficult for your engine to generate power.
3.
Failure to Start
If
the clog inside of a catalytic converter becomes serious enough,
virtually no exhaust can exit your car. As a result, you may find
that your engine won't turn over at all when attempting to start your
car. In order to restore proper airflow and get your engine running
again, you must replace the faulty converter.
4.
Check Engine Light
Few
dashboard lights cause car owners as much frustration as the check
engine light. This light may indicate a mystifying range of problems,
from cracked head gaskets to loose gas caps. The check engine light
may also come on as the result of exhaust backup — a problem you
now know often stems from a faulty catalytic converter.
If
your check engine light has mysteriously come on, take your car to a
mechanic as soon as possible. A technician can hook your car up to
diagnostic system that can provide more specific information about
what triggered your check engine light.
5.
Unusual Rattling Sound
When
a catalytic converter suffers damage, the delicate ceramic honeycomb
may become cracked and broken. These loose pieces of converter often
rattle audibly when idling or starting up from a stopped position.
While this sound may not strike you as anything too terrible, it
likely means that your converter has become damaged to the point that
it can no longer filter exhaust gases the way it should.
The
catalytic converter has a vital role to play in your automobile. Not
only does a bad converter release dangerous gases into the
atmosphere, but it may also cause you to fail emissions tests. For
more information about how to keep your catalytic converter in good
shape, please contact
San Diego's automotive pros at
Dualtone Muffler Brake & Alignment.
