What are the effects of a bad catalytic converter on a car?
2 Answers
The effects of a bad catalytic converter on a car: 1. Excessive exhaust emissions. The catalytic converter is mainly responsible for the harmless treatment of exhaust gases. When it is clogged or damaged, the catalytic effect is reduced, and harmful gases cannot be converted, leading to direct emissions of harmful gases and failure to pass annual inspections; 2. Increased fuel consumption. Engine control is a closed-loop system, and clogging can affect the data from the oxygen sensor and the engine's control, making it unable to accurately control fuel injection, air intake, and ignition, resulting in increased fuel consumption; 3. Poor exhaust flow, reduced power, engine shaking, malfunction indicator light turning on, and frequent stalling. Due to the fine internal mesh of the catalytic converter, it is prone to clogging, which can obstruct the discharge of combustion gases and reduce engine power. In cases of severe clogging, the inability to promptly discharge exhaust gases can cause backpressure and reverse flow. When the pressure exceeds the engine's exhaust pressure and rushes back into the combustion chamber, it can cause the engine to shake or even stall.
A faulty catalytic converter is no small trouble. My car recently had this issue – it felt extremely sluggish when driving, accelerated like a snail, and fuel consumption more than doubled. Watching the monthly gas bills was heartbreaking. There was also a constant strange smell from the exhaust, similar to rotten eggs, especially noticeable when opening windows or parking, making me hesitant to give friends a ride out of embarrassment. The engine warning light on the dashboard stayed on, and a diagnostic scan showed emission problems. If left unfixed, it will definitely fail the annual inspection, and in our area, you could be fined a few hundred bucks. Worse yet, delaying repairs might damage engine components, leading to repair costs in the thousands. It’s better to just replace it at the dealership early on – saves both hassle and money. Bottom line: act immediately when you spot the problem.
