More News & Tips - Automotive Insight

Catalytic or Cataclysmic?

A catalytic converter is designed to remove hydrocarbons (HCs) and carbon monoxide (CO) that would otherwise pollute the air. With replacement costs approaching $1000, this is not a component that vehicle owners want to see fail, and automobile owners have every incentive to be sure their catalytic converters do not face any obstacles to their normal operation. All it takes is a dirty sensor to force an untuned engine to run too richly, causing the catalytic converter to overwork and possibly fail. A rich fuel mixture will often produce a "rotten egg" (hydrogen sulfide) odor from the exhaust. A single misfiring spark plug may also increase HC emissions to the point where a converter operates beyond its normal temperature range.

A dirty sensor is cheap to fix. A catalytic converter is not. So it pays to bring your car down to our shop for some regular maintenance, so you can catch little things, like dirty sensors, before they become giant headaches, like $1000 bill for replacing your catalytic converter. Let our ASE Master-certified technicians save you time and money by providing the preventive care that your car needs. Call 952-473-4848 to schedule an appointment, or visit us at 2220 Daniels Street, Long Lake.

Hint: Because a fouled catalytic converter may not cause any increase in backpressure, other methods must be used to check its operation and health, including its operating temperature.