Car engines emit some harmful gases, including carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxide, and hydrocarbons. It’s the job of your catalytic converter to turn these toxic emissions into predominantly harmless gases and vapor, thereby protecting the health of drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians alike. Occasionally, these complex exhaust converters can become damaged or malfunction. Here are five indicators you should visit your local Honda Service Center to have your converter repaired or replaced.
Your “Check Engine” Light Comes On
The extremely popular Honda Civic, along with most modern Honda models, has hundreds of sophisticated computerized sensors throughout the vehicle, promptly picking up engine problems and warning you with the “check engine” light on your dashboard. A blocked or faulty converter usually creates issues inside the engine, which will trigger this warning light to come on.
Ask Your Local Honda Dealer To Diagnose the Problem
If you see the “check engine” light, the underlying cause could be many things. It’s best to take your car along to a trusted technician at your local dealership. They’ll determine the problem, which might be a malfunctioning converter or something else.
You Hear Rattling
Your converter rests beneath your car, between the engine and the muffler. It’s vulnerable there to impacts from potholes or obstacles on the road. Such impacts can dent or dislodge your converter, causing meshes and other parts inside of it to tear loose. These loosened parts will then start rattling around, and you’ll hear this clearly as you drive.
When a converter is damaged in this way, it will no longer function properly. As a result, you’ll notice the problems listed below, and your car will be giving off higher emissions than is allowed by law.
You See Black Smoke
Most converter problems cause the outflow of exhaust and air to become restricted. This backs up the gases inside your engine and slows down the overall airflow, causing the vital fuel-air mixture inside your combustion chambers to become fuel-heavy.
Such an unbalance can cause various engine problems, one of which is a buildup of soot and unburned fuel, which tries to escape in the form of black smoke from your tailpipe. Sometimes you’ll even see flames in the smoke as the unburned fuel ignites. If you notice anything like this, have your converter checked right away.
Your Engine’s Struggling
When a malfunctioning converter lessens the engine’s airflow, the unburned fuel also begins to cake the spark plugs inside your combustion chambers in a sooty residue. This leads to misfiring, which you’ll notice in reduced power when accelerating, and roughness and sputtering while idling. Your fuel will be burning less efficiently, which will have you visit the gas station more often.
Your Engine’s Overheating
In the worst-case scenario, a malfunctioning converter might prevent emissions from escaping. This creates a dangerous buildup of pressure inside your engine and rapid overheating. You’ll need to stop driving at once and have your car towed to the nearest auto repair shop.
If you’d like to have your converter examined and repaired today, visit DARCARS Honda or schedule a service appointment. We offer an extensive inventory of outstanding cars and unbeatable customer service, no matter what your vehicle purchasing or servicing needs are.
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