What Happens When the Catalytic Converter Goes Bad?

Your catalytic converter will go bad eventually if you drive an older automobile. This generally happens after approximately 10 years and/or 100,000 miles. The catalytic converter cannot be repaired when it goes bad. You need to have a new converter installed in your vehicle’s exhaust system. We can do that here at our shop, so call us today if you are having any of the following problems.

The check engine light might turn on if the catalytic converter is bad and fails to treat the exhaust. The converter treats the exhaust by converting harmful carbons into water or other safer emissions. The most common problem faced by an old catalytic converter is carbon deposits and sulfur deposits. These deposits can clog the converter and reduce its ability to treat the exhaust.

In addition to problems with the exhaust, you will start to have problems with your engine, as well. Unfortunately, if the converter is clogged, the exhaust may get stuck behind the converter and back up into the engine. It can make its way back to the combustion chamber where it was originally produced. When this happens, the engine performs poorly because it cannot generate efficient combustion.

The engine control module, the main computer chip, may send more fuel to the chamber in an effort to improve the engine’s performance. The converter may also fail to treat the small amount of exhaust that can make its way past the clogs. Consequently, you will see black exhaust smoke flowing out of the tailpipe of your automobile because of the excess fuel and untreated exhaust.

Your vehicle’s exhaust will also start to smell rotten if it is filled with burnt sulfur deposits. As the exhaust comes into contact with the sulfur deposits that are clogging the converter, they will release an odor that smells like rotten eggs. You will smell this odor in the engine bay, in the exhaust, and underneath your utility vehicle, car, or truck.

Finally, the catalytic converter tends to produce a ton of heat when it goes bad. This heat wafts out from underneath your vehicle. It also makes its way into the engine. Unfortunately, the engine’s cooling systems can only deal with so much excess heat. Consequently, the engine will start to overheat.

Call us today to set up a service visit if you are having any of the problems discussed in this blog post.