A catalytic converter is a part of the car exhaust unit that controls exhaust emissions. It converts toxic gases and harmful pollutants in exhaust gas from an engine’s emissions into less toxic and safe gases.
The action of the catalytic converter is at its best when the optimal temperature needed for its operation is attained. Emissions may occur in the first few minutes of driving until the appropriate temperature is reached.
So, if it goes bad, is it, should you replace it? Is catalytic converter worth replacing?
Yes, it is worth replacing a catalytic converter when it goes bad because of the numerous yet important duties it performs in a vehicle. Also, to follow the set standard laws of exhaust emission against pollution, the catalytic converter is worth replacing.
Is Catalytic Converter Worth Replacing?
Yes, of course, a catalytic converter going bad is normal and is caused by driving your car. This occurs as a result of the catalysts in the catalytic converter slowly getting clogged up in the converter from taking up the impurities out of the fuel the vehicle is using.
The common reasons for the replacement of a catalytic converter are physical damages or theft. Another reason is the use of leaded fuel. The lead poisons the catalysts in the converter affecting the converter in a way that no longer works.
A bad catalytic converter should be replaced because it causes harm to the car engine. It causes excessive back pressure in the exhaust system, which in turn reduces engine power and causes overheating.
A plugged-up catalytic converter prevents the engine from running. It will pre-start and run for some seconds and eventually, exhaust pressure builds up and stops it.
If it is a damaged catalytic converter or if the catalytic converter was stolen, it is worth getting a replacement. This is to give off proper and unharmful emissions and prevent pollution.
What if You Don’t Have Money to Replace Your Catalytic Converter?
The cost of replacing a catalytic converter is high and can be strenuous on one’s financial capability. There are a few ways to fix a catalytic converter without trying to replace it.
These are a few simple things that can be tried out before resorting to dropping the high cost of replacement.
These fixing methods can only work when the symptoms of the catalytic converter are not beyond fixing and can only be replaced.
If the catalytic converter has these symptoms then replacement should be considered. It cannot be fixed. They are; rattling noises, rotten egg smell, discoloration, and deformity.
But if the symptoms are; low vehicle performance, check engine light on, decrease in gas mileage, slow acceleration, then you can fix it with the following methods:
1. Clean Your Catalytic Converter
You can fix your catalytic converter by washing it. All that you have to do is take the catalytic converter off and pressure wash all the junks that had accumulated inside the catalytic converter.
To get a thorough clean, make sure to use something that washes through heavy grease buildup. For example, laundry detergent and hot water. Clean the converter from both the front and back to get all the junk.
Go head to powder wash it, dry, and reinstall.
2. Make Use Of Fuel Additives
Using fuel additives in your vehicle will boost your engine’s performance and will also help clean your catalytic converter.
This is a method for those that use regular fuel. The more expensive types of fuel, i.e the premium and super-premium fuel have additives already in them.
If your catalytic converter is showing symptoms that can be fixed, then you can use fuel additives or make use of the premium or the super-premium fuels.
3. Hard Driving
A catalytic converter has to be pushed hard sometimes to attain an adequate temperature to work. Driving easy can cause the catalytic converter to fail early because it has never attained the temperature needed for it to operate.
Drive and push the vehicle to limits for several miles by taking the vehicle out and accelerating quickly at a higher speed. Take your foot off and on the gas pedal severally.
This heats the catalytic converter and burns the junks deposited in the converter and throughout the exhaust.
Importance of Replacing Your Catalytic Converter.
Vehicles release gases that cause pollution and create poor air quality and blacken surfaces. These gases emitted from automobiles are dangerous and pose a hazard to the environment and reduce the quality of life where there are lots of vehicle activities.
A catalytic converter exists to create a series of chemical reactions purposed to alter the gases with the imputed catalysts and convert them into gases that are not harmful to the environment.
Catalytic converters reduce localized and immediate air pollution from the road. They change harmful gases into harmless gases.
Can You Drive with a Hole in your Catalytic Converter?
It is not advisable to drive your vehicle with a hole in the catalytic converter. A hole in the catalytic converter can cause leaks of harmful gas emission which is harmful to your health and the environment.
Gases exit the vehicle through the pipe connected to the catalytic converter, but in the case where there is a hole in the catalytic converter, harmful gases will exit from under the car instead of the back which could get into the vehicle and affect the driver and the passengers.
What Happens if You Have a Hole in Your Catalytic Converter?
Majorly, a hole in the catalytic converter will cause harmful exhaust gases to leak. In addition to this, the catalytic converter becomes noisy and starts to make so much sound once the vehicle is started up.
During the operation of the vehicle, the catalytic converter makes so much noise while driving which is another form of pollution.
The catalytic converter will also lose its efficiency and have low performance. It becomes exposed to bare steel and begins to rust out.
The back pressure of the engine is removed when there is a hole in the catalytic converter. It may increase the engine performance quickly but there is also a chance that the valves will wear out faster.
Conclusion
Catalytic converters are expensive to replace and so are not considered normal maintenance parts. They are not one hundred percent effective when it comes to cutting emissions but they reduce the effects of these harmful gas emissions and pollution. But most catalytic converters last long for the number of years of the vehicles they are fitted to.