Is it time for a new Catalytic Converter?
Cars, trucks, and other vehicles produce a LOT of toxic gasses. Automobile engines produce compounds like carbon monoxide, nitric oxide, and unburned hydrocarbons as they convert gasoline into energy to fuel the engine. So how do we keep these toxic gasses from filling the atmosphere and choking oxygen levels? Our environment – and our lungs – are protected by one crucial component in your vehicle: the catalytic converter.
What is a Catalytic Converter?
A catalytic converter is part of your car’s exhaust system, sitting between the muffler and the exhaust manifold. Its only job is to convert or filter out the toxic gasses your car produces before they reach the outside air.
So how do you know if your catalytic converter is doing its job? When should you service or replace your car’s catalytic converter? Here are three signs that you need a new catalytic converter installation.
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Your Exhaust Smells Like Rotten Eggs
If your car is producing weird smells, the chances are that something is wrong! If that smell reminds you of rotten eggs, it’s probably your catalytic converter, or “cat,” crying out for help.
The gasoline that fuels your vehicle contains a bit of sulfur. During the combustion process, sulfur is converted to hydrogen sulfide, then converted again into odorless sulfur dioxide when it reaches the catalytic converter – unless your catalytic converter isn’t doing its job! Then the stinky hydrogen sulfide will smack your nose, and your car will smell like a batch of old Easter eggs left out in the heat of July.
If you smell a sulfur smell, like rotten eggs, get your car inspected by an experienced, trusted mechanic. Your catalytic converter probably needs to be replaced.
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You Notice Poor Engine Performance
Your engine relies on the catalytic converter to keep things flowing. The cat should carry excess carbon away from the engine so that it can do its job and operate at peak performance. If you feel that your car’s performance is starting to slip, it could be a sign that the catalytic converter is clogged or damaged, and the engine can’t function amid the extra fumes. You may notice a lack of power when you try to accelerate, that your gas mileage isn’t what it used to be, or even a rattling noise from underneath your vehicle.
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Your “Check Engine” Light is Lit
The most apparent sign that something is wrong could be right under your nose – if you’re sitting in the driver’s seat, that is. That trusty “Check Engine” light knows when your catalytic converter is acting up, and it will let you know the second it does.
Most vehicles have oxygen sensors that monitor the gas levels from the exhaust. If the exhaust gasses aren’t being filtered by the catalytic converter properly, the sensors are activated, and the “Check Engine” light will illuminate. That orange glow might send a wave of dread through your body, but an experienced mechanic can inspect your vehicle, diagnose, and resolve the issue.
Getting your car serviced or repaired can be overwhelming – we know how it is! Triple A Muffler is the best muffler shop in Mesquite, TX, and we will make your experience a breeze. We’ve been serving the Mesquite community since 1972, so we take pride in our work and our tradition of a job well done. Visit us at tripleamuffler.com, give us a call at (972) 288-4549, or feel free to drop in any time!
