Catalytic Converter Repair & Replacement Service in Phoenix AZ

What is a Catalytic Converter?

A Catalytic Converter or cat, converts harmful substances found in your car’s exhaust into compounds that are safe for humans and the environment. The inside of a cat contains ceramic beads or a ceramic honeycomb-like structure that has been coated with a catalyst of palladium or platinum. When toxic carbon monoxide enters the cat, it undergoes a chemical reaction that converts it to harmless carbon dioxide; similarly, hydrocarbons are converted into carbon dioxide and water, and nitrogen oxides are converted into nitrogen and oxygen. Think about it this way: just as your liver detoxifies chemicals in your body, so does a catalytic converter nullify chemicals that are harmful to yourself and the environment.

Troubleshooting

A surefire sign that your catalytic converter is in trouble is the smell of rotten eggs, although you may also notice engine problems. If your engine misfires or performs poorly, or if your check engine light just won’t turn off, you may have an issue with your catalytic converter. Performing an emissions test and analyzing your exhaust gases is the easiest way to determine which part of your catalytic converter has failed. It’s most likely that the cat has become clogged with contaminants and can no longer do its job properly.

Replacement of Catalytic Converter

It’s easier and safer to replace a faulty catalytic converter than it is to repair a clogged one. Replacing your cat is the easiest way to ensure that your vehicle doesn’t continue to produce harmful emissions, and it will also keep your car from losing power and decreasing its overall performance. Additionally, because cats contain precious metals, the costs of repairing and replacing catalytic converters are roughly the same. Therefore, it’s not particularly advantageous to opt for repairs over a replacement.

What Do You Need?

Luckily, replacing a catalytic converter is a relatively easy procedure. Because it’s illegal to replace a cat with a used or refurbished catalytic converter due to strict laws controlling emissions, your mechanic will need to replace your clogged or damaged cat with a new one. Fortunately, this procedure is relatively brief and simple for an experienced mechanic to perform.

Schedule An Appointment Today

At Performance Muffler, we’ve been troubleshooting and replacing faulty catalytic converters throughout Arizona since we opened in 2007. If you think you may be having problems with your catalytic converter, contact us to pick a time to come in for a consultation. We’ll take the time to make sure your car gets the care and attention it needs so you can be back on the road in no time!

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