A catalytic converter has been attached to every car in the US since 1975. The converter’s function is to remove dangerous and toxic chemicals produced by combustion by converting them into less harmful ones. Converters operate under high-pressure and high-temperature conditions, which can eventually lead to damage. These are some signs that you need to visit your Honda dealer for repair or replacement.
Signs You Need a New Catalytic Converter From Your Honda Dealer
Starting Problems
The combustion process begins as soon as your engine successfully cranks. Air is drawn into the intake manifold, and fuel is injected into it to form a usable fuel-air mixture. Efficient combustion requires a 14:1 air-to-fuel mix. This mixture will enter the cylinders, where it’s compressed and then ignited. Once the process has been completed in a cylinder, the cylinder opens and dumps the residue into the converter for conversion.
Blockages can build up in the converter over time, preventing the gases from leaving the converter and entering the exhaust system. These gases flow back into the engine, where they raise your engine’s internal pressure. The gases also contain fuel reside, which alters the fuel-air mixture. A high percentage of air in the mixture will prevent combustion, and your engine can shut down. We’ll examine the converter and remove any blockages to fix this problem.
Black Engine Smoke
Black exhaust smoke is a sign that your converter has failed. Before introducing converters, automobile exhaust was always black, as none of the dangerous gases were removed. You’ll also smell the stench of rotten eggs and gasoline from the exhaust. A failed converter can lead to major engine problems, and you can receive a citation for producing harmful emissions.
The high temperatures necessary for conversion can lead to your converter burning out. This will happen if your engine has a high fuel-to-air ratio, as much of the fuel in this situation won’t burn. Hot fuel is dumped into the converter, and its presence can increase the converter’s internal temperature to over 2,000 F and damage it. We’ll check your converter and install a new one if it’s burnt out.
Poor Acceleration
When you hit the gas, increased quantities of fuel and air are drawn into the intake manifold and the combustion process speeds up. This process works smoothly when your engine and converter are in good condition. If you start to notice a lag between stepping on the gas and your Honda reaching the desired speed, your converter could be partially blocked.
A partial blockage is caused by a buildup of carbon produced as a byproduct of the conversion process. This form of blockage reduces your engine power as the gases can’t be expelled from the converter as fast as they should be. We can easily clear the blockage to fix this problem.
If your converter seems to be failing, call us at Tony Honda.
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