The Common Causes of Catalytic Converter Failure

Catalytic converters are a critical component of any vehicle’s exhaust system, and they are essential for reducing harmful emissions. Unfortunately, these components can become damaged or worn out over time, resulting in increased costs for catalytic converter replacement and other repairs. Understanding the common causes of catalytic converter failure is important to help you avoid costly repairs down the road. In this blog post, we will discuss some of the most common reasons why your catalytic converter may need to be replaced or repaired. We’ll also cover some tips on how to prevent further damage and extend its life as long as possible.

Read on to learn more about what can cause a broken catalytic converter and the associated costs involved with replacing it!

Call 502-804-5605 to Sell a Catalytic Converter in Louisville Kentucky
Call 502-804-5605 to Sell a Catalytic Converter in Louisville Kentucky

Reasons Why Cars Experience Catalytic Converter Failure

Catalytic converters are an important part of any car engine, helping to reduce harmful emissions from the exhaust. But these components can be costly and difficult to replace if they fail. That’s why it’s important for drivers to understand the common causes of catalytic converter failure in order to prevent them from happening in the first place. With proper maintenance and care, you can ensure that your car’s catalytic converter is functioning properly for years to come!

Here are some of the most common reasons cars experience catalytic converter failure:

Age: The age of your vehicle is one of the key factors when it comes to determining how often you need to replace or repair your catalytic converter. Generally, these components last around 10 years before needing to be replaced. If your car is older than this, it’s likely that it will require more frequent repairs and replacements as parts wear out over time.

Malfunctioning Oxygen Sensors: Malfunctioning oxygen sensors can lead to an inefficient combustion process in your engine and therefore cause higher levels of harmful emissions from exhaust gases. This can result in a damaged catalytic converter due to the increased heat and pressure created by the malfunctioning sensor.

Oil Sludge Buildup: When oil starts to accumulate inside the catalytic converter, it can clog up important passages and reduce its overall efficiency. This is caused by an accumulation of engine sludge, which forms when oil breaks down over time due to heat and pressure. If you regularly change your oil according to manufacturer recommendations, then this should help prevent sludge buildup in the catalytic converter.

Faulty Spark Plugs: Faulty spark plugs can create misfires or incomplete combustion processes, leading to higher levels of emissions being released from the exhaust system. This can damage or even destroy your catalytic converter if left unchecked for too long.

Additional Causes: In addition to these common causes, there are several other factors that could lead to a broken catalytic converter such as an exhaust leak, a blocked oxygen sensor, or a damaged fuel injector. When dealing with any of these issues, it’s important to get your car serviced as soon as possible to minimize the damage and costs associated with replacing or repairing the catalytic converter.

Catalytic Converter Replacement is Pricey

Replacing your catalytic converter can be quite expensive; however, there are some things you can do to reduce the costs involved. Shopping around for different quotes from local mechanics is one way you can save money on this type of repair. Additionally, many mechanic shops offer discounts for regular customers so make sure to ask about these when getting a quote. Lastly, if you have any warranties in place on your vehicle (such as through an extended warranty company), then check to see if the cost of catalytic converter replacement is covered.

Avoid Catalytic Converter Failure in the Future

By understanding the common causes of catalytic converter failure, you can take precautionary steps to help protect your vehicle and reduce the associated costs. By regularly changing your oil, replacing spark plugs, and getting your exhaust system serviced on a regular basis, you can help extend the life of your catalytic converter and keep repair costs down in the long run.

Do you have a broken catalytic converter that you’d like to sell for cash on the spot? Contact GC’s Junk Cars at 502-804-5605 to sell scrap car parts in Louisville, Kentucky. We pay cash for all scrap metal and automotive parts. If you are selling a catalytic converter, you will need proof of ownership.

Related Posts:

Current Scrap Prices for Catalytic Converters
Signs That Suggest You Need to Replace Your Catalytic Converter
3 Facts About Catalytic Converters You Did Not Know

3 Facts About Catalytic Converters You Did Not Know

Catalytic converters are one of the most important parts of a gas-powered automobile because they eliminate harmful exhaust emissions. They are designed to use catalyst particles to super-heat toxic hydrocarbons generated by the engine. So, without a properly functioning catalytic converter, your car will emit dangerous and toxic tailpipe emissions into the surrounding environment. For this reason alone, it is important to ensure your catalytic converter is in tip-top shape.

Never knew just how important a catalytic converter was? Well, continue reading to learn 3 more catalytic converter facts you did not know, including one that can make you richer!

Cash for Cars Louisville Kentucky 502-804-5605
Cash for Cars Louisville Kentucky 502-804-5605

Catalytic Converter Facts

Catalytic Converters are Made of a Highly Valuable Precious Metal

Catalytic converters must be able to tolerate extremely high levels of heat. For this reason, they are embedded with precious metals like platinum, palladium, and rhodium, all of which retain physical and structural properties compatible with high heat transport and conduction. This metal composition makes catalytic converters extremely high in value. Precious metals are naturally occurring and rare, so they are quite expensive.

Catalytic Converters are Expensive to Replace

If your catalytic converter breaks down, it will likely not be qualified for repair. In most cases, catalytic converters must be replaced entirely. And this is very expensive. Many car owners are shocked to learn just how much it will cost them to replace a broken catalytic converter. As you recall, catalytic converters are made with precious metals like platinum and palladium, making them extremely expensive to make, let alone sell. So, you can see why they come with a high price tag.

You can expect to pay anywhere between $900 and $1,700 for new catalytic converter. This average cost breakdown can vary depending on the make and model of your vehicle and can be even higher for luxury and exotic cars.

Another shock many drivers run into when they have a broken catalytic converter is being left with a totaled car. Because catalytic converters are so expensive, it is common for a car to be a total loss because the repair costs more than what the entire car is worth.

Catalytic Converters Can Be Sold for Cash at a Metal Recycling Center

If you have a broken catalytic converter that needs to be replaced, you won’t have to flinch at the price and labor of a new one. You can sell an old, used, or broken catalytic converter for cash on the spot to most local metal recycling center or cash for cars company in Louisville. Because catalytic converters are made with highly valuable metals that can be 100% recycled and repurposed, they never lose scrap value.

Are you looking to sell a bunch of old auto parts or an entire totaled car for cash in Indiana? Contact GC’s Junk Cars at 502-804-5605 to speak with a trusted Louisville junk car buyer for details on how to get started! We offer free junk car removal and accept all old or broken auto parts!

Related Posts:

Signs That Suggest You Need to Replace Your Catalytic Converter
The Most Expensive Auto Repairs That Can Total Your Car
4 Things Auto Mechanics Do Not Want Drivers to Know

Louisville Junk Car Buyers 502-804-5605
Louisville Junk Car Buyers 502-804-5605

Signs That Suggest You Need to Replace Your Catalytic Converter

Your vehicle is an important asset. After all, if it weren’t, you probably wouldn’t have one. For this reason, it is important to keep your eyes peeled for any signs that suggest it needs some mechanical attention. Most parts and systems can be easily protected and replaced with little cost. But when it comes to the more complex and important systems in your vehicle, like the catalytic converter and engine, it is better to catch their needs early on, before the cost to repair them gets out of control.

Engines will show obvious signs, including indicator lamp warnings on the dashboard. But when it comes to catalytic converters, the signs are more subtle. Fortunately, with a little knowledge, you will know exactly what to look out for, and what to do when it happens.

Continue reading to learn the top signs that you need to replace your catalytic converter, and how to sell your old one for cash on the spot.

Louisville Junk Car Buyers
Sell Us Your Old Car Parts! 502-804-5605

What Does a Catalytic Converter Do?

Before you can learn to spot the signs of catalytic converter mechanical failure, it helps to learn how this vital auto part works in the first place. By understanding the basic operation of a catalytic converter, you will be naturally more in tune with any signs that might pop up.

A catalytic converter is an advanced exhaust emission control device used to reduce carbon monoxide (CO), volatile organic compounds (VOC’s), nitrogen oxides, and similar pollutants produced by automotive engines and fuel. Simply put, they are the automotive component responsible for transforming the harmful emissions into less harmful ones, before exiting the vehicle’s exhaust system.

Fun fact: Catalytic converters operate by using metal catalysts, generally consisting of one or more valuable metals, like platinum, rhodium, palladium, and even gold. This precious metal content is what makes catalytic converters so expensive, and so valuable.

Signs of a Failing Catalytic Converter:

Your Engine is Sluggish or Problematic – If your engine seems like it is not working like it used to, it could be due to a mechanical failure within the catalytic converter. In fact, decreased engine performance is often the very first sign to show up when a catalytic converter is having problems. Usually, the Check Engine Light illuminates on the dash. A blockage or crack within the exhaust system can cause the engine to have poor fuel efficiency, slow acceleration, or power issues.

Your Check Engine Light is On. As mentioned, one of the very first signs you will likely notice when your catalytic converter is malfunctioning is seeing the Check Engine Light, also known as a Malfunctioning Indicator Lamp (MIL). This light is programmed to come on when anything within your vehicle’s systems is affecting the engine’s performance. A common catalytic converter malfunction that causes the Check Engine Light to come on is when it is not catalyzing the exhaust gases correctly.

Your Car is Rattling When it Runs. Hearing rattling noises while the engine is running, whether moving or at an idle, is a common indication that something is going wrong with the exhaust system. More times than not, it is due to the catalytic converter corroding or coming apart.

What to Do With an Old Catalytic Converter in Louisville, Kentucky

Call GC’s Junk Cars at 502-804-5605 if you have a junk car or broken catalytic converter to sell in Louisville and its surrounding areas. Not only do we accept all vehicles, regardless of age, make, model, and condition, our Louisville Kentucky cash for cars company also payout the highest returns for junk vehicles in Kentucky. Just accept our offer and we will come pick up your junk car! Contact us today to request a free estimate!

Louisville Junk Car Buyers 502-804-5605
Louisville Junk Car Buyers 502-804-5605