Yes, your car, truck, or utility vehicle’s catalytic converter is part of the exhaust system. It is located underneath the vehicle, and it treats engine exhaust to make sure it is safe to be released out of the tailpipe. New Castle Auto Repair advises that the average lifespan of the catalytic converter is 10 years. After this time, you may notice one or more of the following signs that the catalytic converter is going bad.
Sluggish/Jerky Engine Performance
One of the problems that happens in older catalytic converters is that they get clogged. This directly affects the balance of air and fuel in the combustion chamber because the exhaust has nowhere to go. Consequently, your engine performance and acceleration will be sluggish and jerky. You might also hear your engine misfiring and feel it sputter when it does so.
Black Engine Exhaust
Another indication that the air and fuel mixture is out of balance is black exhaust flowing out of the tailpipe. This can be caused by the malfunctioning catalytic converter and the rich fuel mixture in the chamber. Black engine exhaust also suggests that the exhaust is not being treated properly by the catalytic converter. This means your vehicle is releasing harmful emissions out of the tailpipe.
Burning Sulfur Smells
As the catalytic converter continues to have problems, it will release burning sulfur odors into the engine bay and exhaust. You might already know this, but burning sulfur smells like rotten eggs. Unfortunately, you will continue to smell this unpleasant odor until you get the catalytic converter replaced. Rotten eggs definitely point to a problem with the catalytic converter.
Too Much Heat
The catalytic converter can also produce too much heat when it is malfunctioning. This will overheat the underside of your automobile as well as the engine. In fact, if your engine has suddenly started overheating every time you drive your automobile get the cooling system is fine, it could be that the malfunctioning catalytic converter is the problem.
Check Engine Warning
Finally, the check engine light will illuminate on your dashboard when the catalytic converter goes bad. This is because the catalytic converter and your exhaust system do not have lights of their own. Consequently, the engine control module has no choice but to turn on the check engine light to let you know there’s a problem with your engine.
Do not worry. New Castle Auto Repair in New Castle, PA, can replace your catalytic converter when it goes bad. Call our auto service shop today.