
If you see that the catalytic converter’s housing has turned blue or some other color, it could mean that the catalytic converter is clogged and is creating excessive heat. The combustion of this excessive air-fuel mixture causes a smell like rotten eggs or burnt sulfur, which is an obvious indication of your catalytic converter’s malfunction. When the catalytic converter is clogged, it will restrict the airflow of exhaust fumes so that the engine’s air-fuel mixture will get rich (too much fuel, leading to unburnt fuel)

Therefore, a bad catalytic converter will most often cause a higher fuel consumption, even if lower is possible in some cases. While better gas mileage may sound like a good deal, it can damage your engine and may cause even more expensive repairs.ĭue to improper combustion of the fuel when the exhaust is clogged, it will make your car engine to be much less efficient and it needs to work harder for the same amount of power. High or low fuel consumptionīetter or worse gas mileage is one of the symptoms of a poor catalytic converter. Compare the flow to a similar car if possible. If you get a meager amount of exhaust coming out, you might have a clogged catalytic converter. To check if your catalytic converter is clogged, keep your hand close to the exhaust pipe end and ask someone to push the accelerator pedal to increase your car’s RPM to 2000. Mechanics often misdiagnose the symptoms of a faulty catalytic converter as being caused by a bad oxygen sensor or any other sensor. are fine, then it could be the catalytic converter that’s bad. If you observe delays when accelerating or a decrease in power when driving in steep areas while all other parts like spark plugs, filters, sensors, etc.
#2018 vw atlas recall catalytic converter code#
The most common trouble code when it comes to a bad catalytic converter is the P0420 code. When checked with a compatible OBD scanner, it will show you a catalytic converter-related trouble code that must be decoded with the help of the operating manual. The check engine light, one of the most obvious indicators of a malfunction with your car, is also one of the strongest indicators of a bad catalytic converter. Here is a more detailed list of the signs of a bad or clogged catalytic converter to look for: 1. While these are not all possible symptoms, they are the most common ones. You may also notice engine performance issues like acceleration lag, higher or lower fuel consumption, and a misfiring engine. The most common symptoms of a bad catalytic converter are a sulfur smell when the engine is warm and a check engine light on your dashboard. How do you fix a catalytic converter without replacing it? Symptoms Of A Bad or Clogged Catalytic Converter
