Head straight for Benton Road Auto Repair if your vehicle is doing any of the six things listed below. This is a sign that someone has stolen the catalytic converter from underneath your automobile. This type of theft is common because people want the metal out of which the converter is made. We can replace you’re missing catalytic converter with a new one. Here are signs your old one has been stolen.
1. Check Engine Warning
The check engine light will turn on because system sensors report errors due to the missing catalytic converter. Unfortunately, the light will stay on until you replace the catalytic converter. Once you have a new catalytic converter installed, the check engine light should turn off.
2. Unusually Loud Engine
You may notice that your engine is unusually loud the first time you start your automobile after the converter has been stolen. The catalytic converter helps to muffle the engine noise and the exhaust system noise. Once the converter is missing, your engine will be extremely loud.
3. Rough/Jerky Acceleration
Your vehicle’s acceleration will also be rough and jerky because the engine does not have the catalytic converter through which to push the exhaust. Usually, the converter absorbs the pressure that the engine exerts when it moves the exhaust into the converter. Unfortunately, because the catalytic converter is missing, your acceleration will be jerky due to the engine’s pressure.
4. Emissions Test Failure
If you live in a parish that requires emissions testing, your automobile will fail the test if there isn’t a catalytic converter installed to treat the hydrocarbons in the exhaust. The catalytic converter is designed specifically to make your vehicle’s exhaust safer for the environment.
5. Feeling Ill When Driving
Another sign that you do not have a catalytic converter underneath your automobile is feeling ill every time you drive your vehicle. You will definitely feel sick if you are driving with the windows down. This is an indication that the catalytic converter is not treating the carbon monoxide in your exhaust.
6. Reduced Low-End Torque
Finally, your vehicle will lag when you are driving at slower speeds because the low-end torque has been reduced by the missing catalytic converter. You will not notice a difference when you are driving at higher speeds, however. Only the low-end torque (power production) is affected.
Benton Road Auto Repair in Bossier City, LA, is here to help, so call us today if your catalytic converter is missing. We can install a new one.
