Your automobile’s catalytic converter performs the crucial function of converting carbon monoxide into carbon dioxide before it is released through the tailpipe. It filters exhaust gases through a honeycomb-type filter. Over time, the catalytic converter can get clogged. If this happens, you might notice the smell of rotten eggs or sulfur in your vehicle’s cabin. Car Doctors Auto Repair cautions that this odor might mean you have carbon monoxide backing up into your car. This is just one sign that your catalytic converter is clogged. Here are other signs of a clogged catalytic converter.
Reduced Fuel Efficiency
If the catalytic converter isn’t functioning properly, your vehicle’s exhaust system isn’t functioning properly. This can affect the efficiency of your automobile’s engine, and it will have to work harder to start and run. The harder it works the more gas it will use, and you will notice a reduced efficiency in your vehicle’s fuel economy.
Sluggish Acceleration
Your vehicle’s exhaust actually helps power your engine in a unique way. As exhaust is created in the combustion chamber, the burnt gases must leave the chamber to make room for fresh air and fuel to be ignited. If the catalytic converter is clogged, exhaust gases will back up into your combustion chamber and cause engine performance issues. The most common engine performance issue associated with a clogged catalytic converter is sluggish acceleration.
Fails Emissions Test
Naturally, if the catalytic converter cannot convert carbon monoxide into carbon dioxide, your vehicle will fail its emissions test. The purpose of the converter is to turn the dangerous carbon monoxide into a much safer exhaust gas before it is expelled from the tailpipe. This is not only safer for humans, but it is also better for the environment. If your vehicle fails its next emissions test, it might have a problem with the catalytic converter.
Check Engine Light Warning
You may also receive a check engine light warning on your dashboard. The oxygen sensor measures the amount of oxygen in your vehicle’s exhaust as it is pushed through the tailpipe. If the sensor picks up too much carbon gases, it will signal a problem to your automobile’s engine control unit, and if the engine control unit cannot fix the problem itself, it will turn on the check engine light to alert you of trouble.
Car Doctors Auto Repair in Athens, GA, can help. We can check your converter and the rest of your vehicle’s exhaust system if you are having fuel and engine performance issues or the check engine light has turned on and won’t turn off. Call us today.
