Catalytic Converter Problem Symptoms

While a catalytic converter is designed to last 10 years or more, several variables can make it die sooner. Nowadays, vehicle employ more than one converter, which increases  the chances of internal or external problems. When catalytic converters were integrated  for emissions control, they converted harmful hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide into cleaner emissions. Oxygen sensors now monitor the efficiency of each converter on every vehicle.

The average temperature an exhaust system operates under is 1,200 to 1,600 degrees Fahrenheit. As pollutants increase in the exhaust, so does the operating temperature of the internal structure.  At 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit, the structure will begin to weaken or melt, reducing its efficiency to convert harmful gases into less harmful pollutants.

Engine performance

Unburned fuel is a leading contributor to causing a catalytic converter to fail internally.  So replacing the converter only temporarily solves the problem. When the engine is not performing as it should, it’s only a matter of time before it damages the new converter. Diagnose any and all diagnostic trouble codes before replacing a catalytic converter to preserve and enhance its performance and effectiveness