If your vehicle failed its most recent smog check and is doing the things listed below, you’re driving without a catalytic converter. John’s Auto Care advises that people saw away and steal the catalytic converters from underneath automobiles, especially Toyota Priuses and large trucks, because they want to sell the metal. Your vehicle’s exhaust hasn’t been treated if the converter is missing, which is why it failed the smog check. Here are other signs that you need to call the police and report a theft.
Unusually Loud Engine
Your engine will never sound the same once the catalytic converter is missing. It will be unusually loud and make roaring sounds, especially when you accelerate. As the engine forces the exhaust into the area where the catalytic converter once was, this push is extremely loud and no longer muffled by the catalytic converter. Consequently, you may not want to drive your automobile because it is so loud.
Jerking Acceleration
You may also want to quit driving your vehicle because the acceleration is going to jerk when you press down on the accelerator. This, too, is being caused by the force the engine uses to transport the exhaust out of the engine and into the catalytic converter. You no longer have a part underneath your automobile to absorb this force. Consequently, you will end up with jerking acceleration.
Slow-Speed Hesitation
Your automobile will also hesitate to perform at slower speeds because it is having problems producing low-end torque. This type of torque is what makes your engine run smoothly when you are driving slowly. For some reason, the missing catalytic converter affects this torque production. Consequently, you will have poor engine performance until you pick up enough speed.
Check Engine Warning
As you can imagine, system sensors will detect that the catalytic converter is missing and go crazy. There will be a ton of malfunctions reported to the engine control unit because the exhaust is not being treated and pushed out of the automobile correctly. The engine control unit turns on a dashboard warning light if it cannot solve the problem. In this case, it will turn on the check engine light.
Noticeable Exhaust Odors
Finally, driving your vehicle after the catalytic converter has been stolen can be dangerous because the exhaust can make its way into the passenger cabin. The exhaust is no longer being routed through the exhaust system. It’s being released into the air. This can make you sick while you are driving because you inhale the vehicle’s exhaust and all of the dangerous gases in it.
John’s Auto Care in Roseville, CA, is here to help, so call us today so we can work with your insurance company to replace the catalytic converter.
