The catalytic converter remains an integral part of the fuel management system of modern-day vehicles but the fact remains that the relevance of this component continues to be undermined.
Catalytic converters perform several functions in an automobile which in all honesty is usually overlooked. before the advent of the catalytic converters cars and indeed automobiles were the subject of increased air pollution to our immediate society dishing out raw carbon mono oxide into the air which constituted a great health hazard to people without them knowing it. But along the line respite came in the mold of the catalytic converter.
WHAT EXACTLY IS A CATALYTIC CONVERTER.?
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Ok let's do this simple and short for our friends who are not so grounded with automotive terminologies, a catalytic converter is a device usually fitted underneath modern-day vehicles with the sole aim of neutralizing the very toxic carbon monoxide emitted by our vehicles to the less toxic and maybe a little bit environmental friendly carbon dioxide.
FUNCTIONS OF THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER
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As stated above the function of the catalytic converter is simply and straight break down the gaseous components from our car exhaust to a more environmentally friendly state that would reduce pollution and enhance better performance. other functions of the catalytic converter also include enhancing overall fuel efficiency and improving the functionality of our cars.
HOW TO KNOW IF YOUR CATALYTIC CONVERTER IS GOING BAD
It's not so easy to know if your catalytic converter is bad or is on its way out already owing to the fact that it is located way beneath the car except you have the car inspected by a technician or better still run a diagnosis on the car, for the sake of the everyday car user we, ll point out these few signs you are to look out for that might indicate you have a bad or faulty catalyst.
1. FOUL OR BAD SMELL WHILE IDLING
One major sign of a bad or faulty catalytic converter is the emission of a bad or foul smell while the car is idling or in some cases while in motion. the reason for this isn't far fetched, your catalytic converter is made up of a horny comb that does all the filtration I f by accident this horny comb goes bad or breaks inside the converter usually due to a rich fuel mixture the resultant effect would that foul smell that it does emit.
2. POOR ENGINE PERFORMANCE
A depreciated or poor engine performance is also a sign that you have a bad or faulty catalytic converter, these signs usually manifest in reduced speed, increased fuel consumption, loud or rattling sound underneath your car, and in most cases triggering the check engine light all these are signs that you might need to have a look at your catalytic converter.
3. UNABLE TO REV YOUR CAR
Another way to figure out a bad or blocked catalytic converter is when you are unable to rev your car, assuming you start your car while in neutral you try to rev your engine, and it either very sluggish or doesn't rev at all in rare cases then that's a telling sigh that you might have a blocked catalytic converter this is a severe case and should be attended to as quickly as possible to prevent an impending engine damage
WHAT CAN MAKE YOUR CATALYTIC CONVERTER GO BAD.
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Yes, your catalytic converter can go bad but the big question is what exactly could make it go bad since it's virtually hidden beneath the car, the answer isn't far-fetched though.
Your catalytic converter could go bad for several reasons one of which is a rich fuel mixture or putting it in layman's English excessive fuel consumption by the engine. when the injectors dump excessive fuel in the engine sometimes these fuels are not properly burned out by the engine and then find their way to the exhaust of which they must come through the catalyst the excessive fuel can clog up or possibly melt down the honeycomb within the catalyst thereby rendering it useless.
Other mediums by which your catalyst could also go bad includes age, bad roads, and sometimes our driving pattern.
WHAT CAN MAKE YOUR CATALYTIC CONVERTER GO BAD.
photo credit / youtube.com
Yes, your catalytic converter can go bad but the big question is what exactly could make it go bad since it's virtually hidden beneath the car, the answer isn't far-fetched though.
Your catalytic converter could go bad for several reasons one of which is a rich fuel mixture or putting it in layman's English excessive fuel consumption by the engine. when the injectors dump excessive fuel in the engine sometimes these fuels are not properly burned out by the engine and then find their way to the exhaust of which they must come through the catalyst the excessive fuel can clog up or possibly melt down the honeycomb within the catalyst thereby rendering it useless.
Other mediums by which your catalyst could also go bad includes age, bad roads, and sometimes our driving pattern.
Whatever the case maybe it's always recommended to seek professional advice if you come to discover that your catalytic converter is either bad or faulty.
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Repair And Maintenance