Catalytic converters have been standard on all cars in the US since 1975. They are designed to convert dangerous chemicals from the combustion process into harmless chemicals to feed out the exhaust. All mechanical components can fail, and a damaged converter will release toxic chemicals into the environment. As your VW dealer, we can easily install a new converter for you.
3 Signs You Need a New Catalytic Converter From Your VW Dealer
Overheating Engine
When you see your engine temperature rise, the first thought is you have a problem with the radiator or the cooling system. You may, however, have a damaged converter. The converter forms part of your exhaust, and it takes in hot engine gases and converts them to less toxic ones for expulsion via the exhaust. If the converter is blocked or damaged, many of these gases won’t be able to escape.
If hot gases can’t leave through the exhaust, this creates a backflow of gases back into your engine. These hot gases will increase your engine temperature. Your engine cooling system isn’t designed to deal with this extra heat source, and your engine temperature will rise. If your engine is overheating, it’s essential to contact us ASAP, as overheating can cause severe damage to your engine.
Rattling Noises
No driver likes hearing strange noises from their engine, and a rattling noise suggests that something is loose. One of the main causes of this type of noise is a damaged converter. The converter has a honeycomb structure that’s designed to break down harmful chemicals into harmless ones to reduce pollution. This honeycomb structure is also relatively delicate.
Damage to the honeycomb in the converter, for example, by hot unburnt fuel from the combustion chamber, can create cracks in the surface. These cracks will widen due to the heat of the gases and fuel that pass through the converter. If enough damage is suffered, the honeycomb structure can break apart. The rattling noises you hear can be from broken parts of the converter moving as your car travels.
Black Smoke From the Exhaust
Regular exhaust smoke looks gray, and it’s the result of the breakdown of dangerous chemicals from the fuel into harmless emissions. If your converter fails, its ability to remove these hazardous chemicals is severely reduced. Black smoke from your exhaust includes a large amount of unburnt fuel that hasn’t been converted.
The black smoke increases pollution, and it’s highly toxic. It contains chemicals like carbon monoxide and hydrogen sulfide, which are usually broken down by your converter. If you spot black smoke, call our service department right away. Our highly trained technicians will examine the converter and replace it if it’s damaged.
A damaged converter can damage other engine components and breathing the unconverted fumes from the engine can be bad for your health. If you see signs of a damaged converter, call our service department at DARCARS Volkswagen. Our experts will remove the broken converter and install a new one, and these problems will be a thing of the past.
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