Yes. Absolutely. Car Doctors Auto Repair advises that there has been an uptick of catalytic converter thefts in the U.S. because people want the metal. Unfortunately, if your import has been sitting in a public location long enough for someone to scoot underneath it and remove the converter, you may be the newest victim of catalytic converter theft. Let’s talk about the signs of the theft below.
I Can’t Hear Myself Think
You will know that something isn’t right the minute you turn on the import’s engine. The engine is going to be so loud that you may think you won’t be able to hear yourself think. It will be roaring like a lion. In fact, this might frighten you at first because the volume of the engine will be completely unexpected. The noise you are hearing is the exhaust being pushed out of the manifold into the environment.
The Check Engine Light Is On
Naturally, because the exhaust manifold is pushing the exhaust into the open air rather than the catalytic converter, the exhaust system is going to malfunction. Once the engine control module, your import’s main computer, receives the error codes from the exhaust system, it will try to problem-solve the issue. Unfortunately, it can’t replace the catalytic converter, so it will turn on the check engine light.
The Acceleration Is Jerking
Another problem that occurs due to the fact that the exhaust push is forceful and into the open air is that your import’s acceleration will jerk. You will feel your vehicle lurch forward every time you press down on the accelerator. If, at this point, you are still driving your import, we recommend that you pull over and call for a tow truck to bring your import to our shop.
I Can’t Drive Slowly
Aside from the acceleration problems, your import is also going to suffer at slower speeds. The engine will struggle to produce the torque needed in order for the imports engine to operate smoothly. Again, stop driving your import. Don’t continue with the engine running.
I’m Feeling Sick
The reason why we are stressing this is that your import no longer has a catalytic converter to take in the exhaust. Naturally, this means the exhaust is introduced into the environment where it will drift upward and inside. Consequently, you will inhale the exhaust and get sick.
Car Doctors Auto Repair in Athens, GA, is here to help home so give us a call today so we can make an appointment to install a new catalytic converter in your import.
