What causes a catalyst to go bad?
Possible causes are an improper fuel mixture, incorrect timing, bad spark plugs, a malfunctioning oxygen sensor, sticking float, defective fuel injector or a faulty check valve. Oxygen Sensor Not Functioning Properly. Too rich and the catalyst can melt down from fuel burning inside the converter.
Why is a bad catalytic converter bad for the environment?
If from the signal, the module determines that the cat isn’t doing its job, it will turn on the check engine light. A faulty catalytic converter is bad for the environment and, in some cases, it can cause engine performance problems.
How can I tell if my catalytic converter is blocked?
If it comes back slowly or goes low, it means your catalytic converter is blocked. Secondly, the catalytic converter can also be tested manually using IR thermometer. Start the car and let the engine run until it gets fully warm up.
Why does a bad catalytic converter smell like rotten egg?
A properly working catalytic converter will convert hydrogen sulfide into odorless sulfur dioxide. When failing, you may notice a sulfuric, rotten egg-like smell coming from the exhaust. Unburnt fuel left in the exhaust by the bad catalytic converter produces the odor, and may even cause dark exhaust smoke.
What does it mean when your catalytic converter is rattling?
Rattling Sounds —If you can hear a rattling sound in your catalytic converter while the engine is running, this probably means that your car has begun to break apart.
What happens if you have a bad catalytic converter?
In some cases, the catalytic converter may become clogged or restricted, creating excessive exhaust backpressure. That chokes the engine, leading to performance problems such as lack of power and stalling. If the catalytic converter is severely restricted, it can create enough exhaust backpressure to prevent the engine from starting.
What should the OBDII reading be on a bad catalytic converter?
The ECM would interpret that as a bad catalytic converter. In that case, your OBDII scanner should be reading a lean 0.1v reading from the downstream sensor. You can add propane fuel to the exhaust to force the reading up to prove that the downstream sensor is good.
A properly working catalytic converter will convert hydrogen sulfide into odorless sulfur dioxide. When failing, you may notice a sulfuric, rotten egg-like smell coming from the exhaust. Unburnt fuel left in the exhaust by the bad catalytic converter produces the odor, and may even cause dark exhaust smoke.
How can I tell if my catalytic converter is leaking?
Check for exhaust leaks ahead of the catalytic converter Exhaust leaks can skew the pre and post converter O2 sensor readings and cause either of the converter codes. Raise the vehicle and look for signs of soot around every exhaust pipe connection.