What are the symptoms of a damaged catalytic converter?
3 Answers
The symptoms of a damaged catalytic converter include: 1. Unpleasant exhaust odor; 2. Engine overheating and premature excessive wear; 3. Loss of engine power and abnormal noises. The catalytic converter is an external purification device installed in the vehicle's exhaust system, which converts harmful carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, and nitrogen oxides from vehicle exhaust into harmless carbon dioxide, water, and nitrogen through oxidation and reduction reactions. The causes of catalytic converter damage are: 1. Blockage due to sintering of deposits from ethanol gasoline, sulfur-phosphorus chemical complexes, lead-manganese metal deposits, or melting of the ceramic substrate caused by engine exhaust flames; 2. Loss of activity of the surface precious metals, rendering them unable to catalyze reactions; 3. Prolonged exposure to high temperatures, leading to thermal deactivation.
I remember driving for decades and seeing catalytic converters fail many times. The symptoms are usually obvious: exhaust emits a pungent rotten egg smell, especially strong during acceleration, which is unbearable. The check engine light frequently comes on, indicating emission issues. The car loses power, struggles uphill, and fuel consumption quietly increases as the engine compensates for the blockage. The exhaust sound also becomes louder, like a deep rumble. If completely clogged, the car may have difficulty starting or overheat and stall. I once had an old car with a clogged catalytic converter that failed emissions during inspection, costing thousands to replace. I recommend regular highway driving to burn off carbon buildup and prevent issues—otherwise, worsening emissions harm the environment and degrade the driving experience.
I've encountered many cases of catalytic converter failures during auto repairs. Common symptoms include: extremely strong exhaust odor resembling sulfur smell, with the check engine light persistently on. Owners often complain about power loss and a 10%-15% surge in fuel consumption. When the exhaust system is clogged, the noise becomes thunderous, accompanied by overheating risks. OBD scans typically indicate catalytic converter faults or emission test failures during inspections. The ceramic honeycomb structure is prone to carbon buildup – once fully clogged, it's irreparable, and replacement is time-consuming and costly. From a repair perspective, early intervention prevents engine damage. For maintenance, I recommend using high-quality fuel and avoiding frequent short trips with constant start-stop cycles to prolong component lifespan.
