How to Easily Determine if a Catalytic Converter is Good or Bad?
2 Answers
You can remove the oxygen sensor to check if the internal part of the catalytic converter is damaged or clogged, and shake it to listen for any rattling sounds inside. Related information: 1. Introduction: The catalytic converter, installed in the automotive exhaust system, is the most crucial external purification device. It converts harmful gases such as CO (carbon monoxide), HC (hydrocarbons), and NOx (nitrogen oxides) emitted from vehicle exhaust into harmless carbon dioxide, water, and nitrogen through oxidation and reduction. Since this converter can simultaneously transform the three major harmful substances in exhaust into harmless ones, it is called a three-way catalytic converter. 2. Inspection Method: Check whether the converter has been damaged during driving or has overheated. After lifting the vehicle, observe the surface of the catalytic converter for any dents. If there are obvious indentations or scratches, it may indicate that the converter's substrate is damaged. Look for severe discoloration spots or slight bluish and purple traces on the converter's outer shell, and check for very noticeable dark gray spots in the center of the converter's protective cover. If present, it suggests the converter has been in an overheated state and requires further inspection.
My old car occasionally has issues, and the quickest way to judge whether the catalytic converter is working properly is to check if the engine warning light on the dashboard is on. If this light is illuminated, it means the system has detected abnormal emissions, with common trouble codes like P0420 indicating low catalytic converter efficiency. You can also listen after starting the car—if there’s a rattling or knocking sound from under the engine, it suggests the catalytic converter might be damaged or clogged internally. Additionally, observe the exhaust from the tailpipe; a pungent sulfur smell or black smoke indicates a faulty catalytic converter. The catalytic converter plays a crucial role, and leaving it unrepaired can pollute the environment, waste fuel, and even cause engine overheating, leading to major repairs. For peace of mind, regularly take your car to a repair shop for emission testing, and replace faulty parts early if issues are detected.
