Your car’s catalytic converter is a device that helps control the amount of pollution your vehicle produces. Without a catalytic converter, your car would produce thick, black smoke when it starts up. However, due to the high cost of replacing converters and the fact that they sometimes fail, many drivers choose to just drive around with their cars emitting pollution.
What is a Catalytic Converter?
A catalytic converter is a device that helps the engine of your car to burn the fuel more efficiently. Without it, the car might not start at all!
When Does a Catalytic Converter Fail?
A catalytic converter is a device that helps your car run more efficiently by breaking down pollution into less harmful gases. In most cases, a catalytic converter will last around 80,000 miles before it fails. However, there are a few things that can cause a catalytic converter to fail early, which can result in poor fuel economy and even engine failure.
One of the most common causes of a catalytic converter failure is from the use of leaded gasoline. Lead has been shown to damage catalytic converters over time and can eventually cause them to fail. If you’re using leaded gasoline and your catalytic converter does eventually fail, your car will not be able to run on unleaded gasoline. You’ll need to replace the entire catalytic converter.
Another common cause of a catalytic converter failure is from the use of carbon monoxide. Carbon monoxide is a gas that can seep into the engine and corrode the catalyst inside the converter. If this happens, your car will be unable to run on unleaded gasoline and may also experience poor fuel economy. To avoid this problem, keep your car’s windows up during cold weather and keep your vehicle well-ventilated.\
How to Test for a Catalytic Converter Failure
The catalytic converter on your car is a important part, as it helps to reduce emissions from the vehicle. If you experience problems with your cat converter, you can test to see if it’s actually failing. Here’s how:
1. Park your car in a clear area and turn off the engine.
2. Remove the air cleaner element and locate the exhaust pipe that leads to the catalytic converter.
3. Use a long straight object like a dowel rod to pry open the exhaust pipe just far enough so that you can insert a small screwdriver into the opening and twist it around until the converter pops off.
4. Inspect the converter for signs of damage, such as cracks or wear. If there are any problems, replace the converter.
Fixing a Catalytic Converter Failure
There are a few things you can do to fix a catalytic converter failure if it’s within your abilities. However, if the cat is beyond repair, you’ll need to get a new one.
Here are the steps for fixing a Catalytic Converter Failure:
1. Remove the cat from the vehicle and inspect it for damage. If there is any visible damage, remove it immediately.
2. Clear the fuel lines of debris using a shop vac or some other suction device.
3. Check all of the wires and connections on the cat and make sure they’re tight and secure.
4. Connect a battery charger to the car’s AC outlet and let it sit overnight while you check for signs of life in the cat. If there’s no response, replace the cat.