A faulty catalytic converter will cause your car, truck, or utility vehicle to fail its emissions test. This is because the catalytic converter treats the carbon monoxide found in your vehicle’s exhaust. Mark’s Auto Service can inspect your catalytic converter to determine whether it is clogged, malfunctioning, or both. You can expect to get about a decade out of your vehicle’s catalytic converter. After this time, you are at a higher risk of having a problem with the catalytic converter. Here are some of the problems that result from a clogged or malfunctioning catalytic converter.
Acceleration Lag
Your vehicle’s acceleration will lag when you press down on the accelerator to pick up speed. This generally happens when the catalytic converter is clogged. The reason why is that the exhaust cannot exit the combustion chamber through the catalytic converter and into the exhaust system.
Black Exhaust Smoke
You may also notice puffs or a steady flow of black exhaust smoke coming out of your automobile’s tailpipe. Any time you see exhaust smoke, this can be an indication of serious engine damage including a problem with the catalytic converter. It’s important to have this problem addressed right away.
Engine Performance Loss
As we mentioned above, a clogged catalytic converter can prevent the flow of exhaust. When this happens, your acceleration will lag and you will lose engine performance. Your engine may stutter at higher speeds and have a difficult time maintaining power when you need it to.
Excessive Heat
Another problem that can be caused by a malfunctioning catalytic converter is excessive heat. The heat begins underneath your vehicle and rises into the engine. When this happens, the engine can overheat, as well. You may smell extremely hot odors coming from underneath your automobile. Please note, it can be dangerous to continue to drive your vehicle when there is an excessive heat condition.
Rotten Egg Odors
Finally, when the catalytic converter malfunctions, it produces burning sulfur. You may not know this, but the burning sulfur also smells like rotten eggs. If you smell rotten eggs coming from underneath your vehicle, from the engine bay, or in the exhaust, you likely have a problem with your catalytic converter that needs to be addressed immediately.
We can help here at Mark’s Auto Service in Loves Park or Loves Park, Belvidere, Roscoe, and Rockford, IL. Call us today to schedule an appointment for your automobile if you are experiencing any of the symptoms listed above. We’d be happy to inspect your catalytic converter and replace it if necessary.
