The catalytic converter is a vital component of your vehicle's emissions system. It helps to reduce the amount of pollution that our vehicles are emitting into the atmosphere and makes our vehicles safer to operate overall. It works using a chemical catalyst which helps to convert toxic gases from the engine into less harmful ones before they leave your vehicle.
Before the catalytic converter was installed into vehicles, our cars were emitting mass amounts of pollution into the atmosphere. This change in modern vehicles has made our cars safer and less harmful to our world. If this component isn't working properly, the entire emissions system isn't doing its job. More importantly, this can affect your safety as well. You and your passengers could be breathing in harmful gases, which can be detrimental to your health.
So, how do you know if your catalytic converter is failing? Here are some of the most common symptoms that can indicate a failing catalytic converter:
- Reduced engine performance - a bad catalytic converter can cause a decrease in overall engine performance and fuel efficiency
- Rattling noises - a damaged catalytic converter can cause the honeycomb shaped meshes on the inside of the converter to break apart and cause rattling noises
- Rotten eggs - the smell of rotten eggs is a telltale sign that your converter isn't working. During the emissions process, sulfur needs to be converter. If it isn't being converter, you will smell rotten eggs while driving
- The check engine light is on - a failing catalytic converter will turn on your vehicle's check engine light
- Your vehicle is failing an emissions test - a vehicle cannot pass an emissions test with a bad catalytic converter, and this component is a common reason why vehicles fail
As soon as you notice any of the symptoms listed above or suspect an issue with your vehicle's emissions system, bring your car into the experts here at Lorentz Automotive for an inspection. We will get to the bottom of the issue and determine the repairs necessary to get your vehicle's emissions system up and running again!