Will There Be Any Impact If a Faulty Catalytic Converter Is Not Replaced?

[AniyahDella]

A faulty catalytic converter will not affect the normal operation of the vehicle. Here is the relevant information: 1. Hazards: It can cause difficulties in ignition, reduced driving power, engine backfiring, increased fuel consumption, incomplete combustion, carbon buildup in cylinders and spark plugs, and other issues. Over time, it may also impact the vehicle. 2. Catalytic Converter Cleaning: Cleaning a catalytic converter requires an endoscope to check for blockages. The purpose of the endoscope inspection is to determine whether the deposits in the catalytic converter filter are crystallized. If crystallization occurs, cleaning will not resolve the issue, and replacement is the only solution.

[DelKira]

I think if the catalytic converter is broken and not replaced in time, you'll encounter quite a few troubles while driving. You'll often feel like the acceleration is sluggish, as if running with one leg dragging behind, and fuel consumption will skyrocket. What used to be 7-8 liters per 100 kilometers might now surge to over 10 liters. The most annoying part is the increased noise—it starts rumbling as soon as you start the engine, and it's even louder on the highway. There's also the environmental issue: a broken converter can't clean the exhaust, so black smoke comes out of the tailpipe, polluting the air. Such excessive emissions can easily draw attention in big cities, and you'll definitely fail the annual inspection, possibly even getting fined. Leaving it unreplaced for a long time might damage other parts, like the oxygen sensor, causing unstable engine operation and costing even more to fix. As someone who's been driving for over a decade, I've seen many similar cases, so I recommend fixing it as soon as it breaks—don't try to save small money only to lose big in the end.

[DelGia]

I see that if the three-way catalytic converter is broken and not replaced, it severely impacts the environment and daily life. Originally, it was a key component for converting harmful gases. Once broken, carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons are directly emitted into the air, making urban air dirtier and reducing blue skies, which no one is happy about. Regulations are also getting stricter—if a faulty catalytic converter is detected during vehicle inspection, the car is sent back for repairs, causing unnecessary hassle. As a young person, I believe environmental protection is no small matter. Driving is meant to be convenient, but delaying repairs only adds trouble. For example, some friends complain about a strange smell in the car, leading to headaches after prolonged driving. Worse, it may accelerate battery aging or engine issues, costing even more. Overall, timely replacement is responsible for the planet and saves you trouble in the long run.

[SarahFitz]

I believe that not replacing a faulty catalytic converter saves little money but carries significant risks. Currently, repairing a catalytic converter typically costs one to two thousand yuan. Delaying the repair might make it seem expensive temporarily, but the result is skyrocketing fuel consumption and reduced engine power, making the car feel sluggish like climbing a hill. More critically, a broken catalytic converter can easily affect the exhaust system, such as causing sensor failures or pipe blockages. This could lead to failing the annual inspection and incurring fines of several hundred yuan, not to mention additional repair costs for other components. I know some car owners who went this route and ended up spending double the repair cost, with their cars even breaking down midway. So, rationally speaking, it's better to replace it when it's broken—don't lose the greater for the less.