Without the catalytic converter, your car would be emitting noxious pollutants into the environment. It’s a small muffler-like component that is part of your vehicle’s exhaust system. It works by creating a chemical reaction that converts the gases coming through your vehicle’s exhaust into emissions that are less harmful. When a catalytic converter is faulty, you will begin to notice certain symptoms.

The catalytic converter is quite an expensive part to have to replace on a vehicle. That’s because the chemical catalyst is made up of precious metals, usually platinum and palladium. If you begin to notice any of the following signs, you should have your vehicle checked out as soon as you can. If you ignore these signs, you could end up having to replace the catalytic converter, or worse, the engine.

• Your car’s engine begins to perform poorly. Poor engine performance doesn’t always mean there is a problem with the catalytic converter but it could lead to an issue that causes the catalytic converter to fail. Problems in other areas of the fuel system can create a clog or blockage in the catalytic converter. When this happens, you will begin to notice poor gas mileage along with substandard engine performance like stalling, hesitation and/or misfiring.
• The Check Engine warning light is on. Again, this doesn’t always mean there is a problem with the catalytic converter. A Check Engine light typically alerts you to a minor problem so you can have it fixed before it becomes a major problem. If you continue to ignore this light, it will ultimately lead to failure of the catalytic converter. Not good.
• You hear a rattling noise coming from the exhaust system. As it begins to age, the chemical catalyst breaks down into smaller pieces and will begin to rattle in the catalytic converter. The smaller pieces can eventually lead to a blockage or restriction of the gases flowing through the exhaust system.
• Yuck, you notice a smell like rotten eggs coming from the tailpipe of your vehicle.

Two Things You Can Do to Minimize Problems with Your Catalytic Converter

1. Commit to regular engine tune-ups. Not sure how often you should have this service done? The auto technicians at Geller’s Automotive in Byram, NJ, will keep track of all the services we perform on your vehicle and will let you know when a tune-up should be done.
2. Take care of Service Engine Soon or Check Engine light issues immediately. Many car owners ignore this light because they either don’t know what it means or they are afraid it may be an extensive and expensive engine repair. Most Check Engine light triggers are from a faulty gas cap or oxygen sensor problems – simple fixes. When car owners don’t take care of the problem that’s causing the light to come on, they end up having to replace the catalytic converter.

Noticing any of the signs of a faulty catalytic converter we outlined here? Click here to make an appointment to bring your vehicle to our auto repair shop in Byram, New Jersey.