If you have owned a few vehicles in your lifetime, you are probably familiar with the catalytic converter. It is a vital part of your exhaust system. Its main function is to minimize harmful materials coming out of your tailpipe. It accomplishes this through a complicated system of essentially burning up harmful substances such as heavy metals. If you don’t replace your unit when it goes bad, you are essentially placing more pollutants into the atmosphere every time you drive. Just as importantly, you are putting your engine at risk of serious damage or failure. You will also probably notice reduced performance in the areas of gas mileage and acceleration. Your car is also more likely to stall out. Finally, in some states you could fail mandatory emissions tests.
Signs You Need To Replace Your Catalytic Converter
When your car’s converter starts to go bad, you will notice a number of signs. The longer you drive with a failing unit, the signs are likely to become more noticeable and potentially damaging to engine components. These 6 signs are common in failing catalytic converters:
- Dark exhaust
- Foul smells
- Engine stalls
- Rattling sounds
- Check engine light on
- Sluggish engine
If you notice any of these signs and if they worsen, it is probably time for a replacement. A catalytic converter cost depends upon factors such as the make and model of your car, the labor charge of a mechanic and the type of converter you purchase. In general, you can expect to pay between $950 and $2500 for a new unit. This is a lot of money, but a converter is a sophisticated piece of equipment necessary to the proper operation of your vehicle. You can minimize your costs by doing the installation yourself. A direct fit converter is usually easier to install than a universal fit converter.
How To Fix A Catalytic Converter
To make sure you get the right replacement unit, you can use the free VIN number lookup at your neighborhood auto parts store. Using this tool will allow you see all of the converters that will work with your car. You can also find your 17-digit VIN on your car or on your vehicle title or your insurance cards. Properly installing the replacement part will fix any problems you had with the converter. You can also expect to get a decent warranty to protect your investment in case the new unit fails too quickly. You might also be able to fix a converter that is clogged, buying you a few more months or even years of usage. You can do this yourself if you have the skills, or you can find a mechanic that specializes in this type of repair. In general, though, it is best not to operate a compromised converter or to attempt to bypass the warning system. This often leads to bad performance, potential safety problems and more chemicals going into the air.
Get all of your auto parts online or at your local store. Quality components help you get the most out of your vehicle at a great price.