Does It Sound Like The Catalytic Converter Needs Replaced?
Monday, August 31st, 2009 at
3:33 pm
I bought the car 1 wk ago. I had a 27 point inspection and this wasn’t reported. The check engine light came on while driving it home (the owner probably had it reset), then I got a diagnostic test @ 2 different places.. “either o2 sensor or cat converter”.
Earlier I parked my car and got back in and something smelled weird. I pressed on the gas hard while going up a hill and it stalled. It stalled every 5 minutes under 20mph and took me 1 hour to get home (usual 20 min drive).
Tagged with: Catalytic • Converter • Does • Like • Needs • Replaced • Sound
Filed under: home inspection
Well hon, I am afraid that you are right. Could be either or both. BTW, what car is this? Just curious.
A muffler shop can check the cat. with a thermal heat sensing device,and can tell you if it is indeed bad.To me it sounds more like it would need a O2 sensor because that controls the fuel although a wierd smell could be the cat.
when it dies on u try to look under the car if the cat is bad then it will usually turn cherry red if it is and u cant afford a new one and u dont have emissions testing in your area then have some some one to just take it off or drill a hole in it with a metal drill bit it will be slightly louder but not much
sounds like it to me
Take the car in and have some one look at the cat converter.Also have some take a look at the o2 sensor.I bet it will be the cat converter i had one go bad on me it was the same as what you are talking about.How many miles are on the car.Cat converters really do not go bad untill around 10000 miles or so.
while it is possible for the fuel filter to need replacement way before the cat. convertor how many miles are on the car because if it is under 80000 miles it would be covered under federal emission warranty through ford motor company and as for drilling out the convertor this is illegal and would make your car VERY LOUD.
as for this weird smell if it smells like rotten egg it is most likely the convertor
It sounds like the catalytic coverter. There are several places that you can get a new catalyic converter. If you want one that is like what was originally on it you can go to a Ford Dealership or usually JC Whitney has a reproduction of an original catalytic converter.
If you want an exhaust system that will improve your fuel economy and performance then you can always buy a cat-back performance exhaust system.
Hope this helps!
A catalytic converter is a tough thing and seldom causes this kind of problem.
I would try a small fix first,like changing your fuel filter,if its clogged it can cause this.Especially if one has run out of gas a few times.
A new air filter can help too.