What are the symptoms of a failing catalytic converter?

A failing catalytic converter can lead to several noticeable symptoms, with decreased fuel efficiency, poor engine performance, and a sulfur smell being key indicators.

When the catalytic converter is not functioning properly, it may become clogged or fail to convert exhaust gases effectively. This can result in an increase in back pressure within the exhaust system, causing the engine to work harder. As a result, you might experience decreased fuel efficiency since the engine has to consume more fuel to maintain power and performance. Poor engine performance can manifest as sluggish acceleration, rough idling, or issues with maintaining speed.

Additionally, a sulfur smell, often described as a rotten egg odor, can indicate that the catalytic converter is not properly processing the sulfur compounds in exhaust gases. This occurs when the catalytic converter is damaged, leading to an insufficient breakdown of these harmful substances.

Overall, recognizing these symptoms is crucial for diagnosing issues related to the catalytic converter and addressing them promptly to avoid further damage to the vehicle’s exhaust system and engine performance.