The catalytic converter is the component that functions to lessen the toxicity of emissions from an internal combustion engine. A defective catalytic converter can influence the damage of your engine, so it must never be taken lightly. Here are some tips to help you spot a damaged converter.
Basically, a catalytic converter is defective when it becomes clogged, poisoned or shows sign of physical damage. When it becomes clogged, you may feel in a decline in vehicle performance and a noticeable drop in fuel economy levels. This is because if your convertor is clogged, it will trap exhaust gas in front of the catalyst. When this gas it trapped, it creates back-pressure that can prevent the engine from breathing normally. Then, the higher back-pressure can also result in the engine quitting after a few minutes of driving, or at least make the engine feel like it is starved of more fuel. In some cases, you may hear a whistling sound when the throttle is applied indicating a restricted exhaust flow or catalytic converter problem.
One of the telltale signs of a catalytic converter problem is when you hear rattling noises coming from the catalyst, which sound like they have broken apart from the converter casing or converter shell. You can observe these strange noises more as the car is idling or decreasing in volume as speed is increased. If you discover that your converter has failed, you should try to determine why exactly it has failed in order to avoid the same problem in the future.
Causes of failure
One common cause for failure is a defective oxygen sensor. Another is failing to schedule a tune-up on time. A defective oxygen sensor (O2 sensor) can cause the engine to run out of tune causing the converter to break down. Keep in mind that oxygen sensors should be replaced regularly according to your vehicle manufacturer specifications, as they are a regular maintenance item. What you can do is to change your oxygen sensor on a regular basis with a reliable brand.
The good news is that there are currently many choices of catalytic converters out in the market that may fit your vehicle. One choice is a direct fit catalytic convertor which can be bolted up even without welding. Or if you prefer to go for increased performance, there are also several high performance converters to choose from. A high flow catalytic converter matched with a performance cat back exhaust system will help you have increased horsepower because the lower back-pressure will let your engine breathe better.
Whatever choice you make, you can select from a variety of catalytic converters on our large catalogue of vehicle components. Choose the right one that fits your car from a range of high-quality and reliable parts. Go to autopartsway.com to learn more.