Your car’s catalytic converter removes most of the toxic byproducts from combustion and increases your engine efficiency. Over time, the converter can become damaged, and you’ll need a repair or replacement. As your Chrysler dealer in Odessa, TX, we’d like to tell you more about some signs of a converter problem.
Check Engine Light Comes On
The check engine light always comes on to signal a problem. If something in your engine isn’t working as it should, you’ll get an almost immediate notification. This light is connected to numerous sensors in your engine that monitor various components. These sensors can detect minute problems and report them to your car’s computer, and the light will come on.
A converter problem can trigger the light for several reasons, including a high fuel mix in the engine due to a blocked converter, and a low level of oxygen in the exhaust gases due to poor conversion. Our technicians will connect your car to our diagnostic system to find the cause of the problem. Once it’s identified, we’ll repair the problem.
Your Converter Is Very Hot
Your converter operates at high temperatures and normally runs from 1200 F to 1,600 F when it’s converting dangerous chemicals. A block in the converter can prevent exhaust gases from escaping, but it can also raise the internal temperature in the converter. If you’ve been driving for a while, and you smell a hot metallic smell from your converter, this is a sign of trouble.
If you look underneath your car, you’ll see the converter connected to your exhaust system. You’ll also feel the heat radiating from it if it’s overheating. Overheating risks damaging the honeycomb interior of the converter. Our technicians can easily test for a blockage, and we’ll clear it away if we find it. Once the blockage is removed, your converter’s temperature will drop to its normal operating level.
Black Smoke
Thick black smoke that smells like rotten eggs is a sure sign that your converter is failing. Normal exhaust smoke is white and almost invisible. Thick black smoke means your exhaust is releasing dangerous levels of carbon monoxide, hydrogen sulfide, and other polluting chemicals. This can only happen due to a failure of your converter.
Your converter can fail due to age or damage. If it fails, the toxic byproducts from combustion will pass through the converter and exit the exhaust. A failed converter also means your car will fail an emissions test. Our technicians will test your converter and replace it if it failed.
Don’t risk engine damage by driving with a damaged converter. Call us right away at All American Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram of Odessa.
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