3 Signs You Need a New Catalytic Converter

The catalytic converter is important for both the health of the environment and the functionality of your car. This vital device exists to trap and convert harmful gases into ones that won’t damage the atmosphere or harm the lungs of people around your vehicle, as well as serving necessary functions in your car’s computations for fuel usage. This list will break down the common signs your converter is going out.

3 Signs You Need a New Catalytic Converter

1. A Clanging Sound

The sound of rattling does not automatically mean your converter is damaged, but it can be a sign it’s time to update yours. Within the device are layers of mesh intended to help filter the exhaust gases, but these rows of film can wear away from age or an excessively rich fuel-air mixture. Once damaged, a clanking can be heard from the mesh vibrating against the metal interior.

Unfortunately, the mesh is not easily accessible to check for deposits on its screen. You can, however, get a better guess by listening at particular times. The rattling of a converter will be most apparent when you have first turned on your engine.

2. Needing More Stops at the Gas Station

Converters have become an expected inclusion in your vehicle’s fuel system, so when it is clogged or damaged the computations for fuel to air will be inaccurate. With the mesh blocked, the air is unable to flow properly through the engine and your mixture is thrown off. The engine will add more gas as you attempt to accelerate, but no air will be present to utilize the fuel. If left unchecked long enough, a blocked converter can even cause your car to stall.

3. A Smell of Sulphur from the Exhaust

One of the many gases the converter is in charge of managing is hydrogen sulfide, which is not only dangerous to inhale but is also an air pollutant. This unpleasant gas smells like rotten eggs, but thankfully the converter binds to the pollutant and changes it to sulfur dioxide, which has no scent at all. If your device is functioning as intended, you should not be smelling sulfur in the exhaust.

If the scent is particularly strong and accompanied by an unusual amount of sound as you press on the gas, this can indicate your converter may be absent altogether. Without the converter, your engine will appear especially loud.

Converters are a necessary part of your vehicle’s health and functionality, as well as being a legally mandated inclusion of your fuel system for the safety of you and everyone around your engine. If you’ve seen any of the signs in this list, it may be time to update your device. Drop by Crain Hyundai of Bentonville today to make the swap and ensure you have the best performance and fuel economy possible.

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