Does Your Car Need a New Catalytic Converter?

A catalytic converter changes dangerous combustion byproducts into harmless chemicals and water. It does this through a combination of pressure, extreme heat, and chemical reactions. Heat, pressure, and age can take their toll on a converter, and it can sustain damage. Your Chrysler dealer can install a replacement for you or repair a damaged one. We’d like you to know some signs that your converter could be failing.

Signs You Need a New Catalytic Converter From Your Chrysler Dealer

Your Converter Is Blocked

After combustion in a cylinder, the residue in the cylinder empties into the exhaust system. This residue enters the converter, and the dangerous chemicals are converted. One of the byproducts of this conversion process, carbon, will slowly build up in the converter. Over time the carbon buildup can block the exit of the converter into the exhaust system.

The blockage will decrease the conversion process and prevent exhaust chemicals from exiting the tailpipe. The gases will flow back into the engine and increase the pressure in the engine. This has a similar effect to flooding the engine, and it can cause your engine to die unexpectedly. A blockage is usually easy to fix, and our technicians can quickly clear it to allow the converter to work again.

Overheating Converter

A converter functions at a temperature of between 1,200 F and 1,600 F. This extremely high temperature is necessary for the conversion process to occur. While a converter can withstand this high internal temperature, it can be damaged if the heat is increased above this level. One of the causes of a major increase in heat inside the converter is a fuel-rich engine.

If your engine is fuel-rich, it lacks air. This problem is usually due to a clogged air filter. In a fuel-rich engine, much of the contents of the cylinders won’t combust due to lack of air. As a result, the hot contents of the cylinders are emptied directly into the converter. This extra heat can burn out the converter, and its outer casing will turn blue. We can’t repair a burnt converter, but we can install a new one.

Check Engine Light

The check engine light can come on due to a blocked or damaged converter. The light will illuminate due to sensors in the exhaust or your engine detecting a problem. Oxygen sensors in the exhaust can detect a low level of oxygen in the exhaust, which suggests a converter problem.

Sensors in your engine will detect a fuel-rich environment, and signal a potential problem for the converter. Our technicians will need to examine your converter to find the cause of the warning and then repair the problem,

A damaged or failed converter can lead to engine damage. Call us today at Peppers CDJR.

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