Catalytic converters are stolen from cars, trucks, and utility vehicles because they are made out of rhodium, platinum, and palladium. These metals fetch a high price on the black market. We here at Lonestar Elite Automotive hope you never become the victim of catalytic converter theft. If you do, however, you can count on us to repair your exhaust system and replace the converter.
An Extremely Loud Engine
Once you have slid into the driver’s seat and started the engine, you will know that something is wrong. The catalytic converter is attached to the exhaust manifold. This allows the manifold to push the exhaust into the converter so it can be treated. When the catalytic converter is removed from the exhaust system, the engine roars loudly because the converter is no longer there to muffle the exhaust transfer.
An Illuminated Check Engine Warning
You may also notice right away that the check engine light stays on after you have started your automobile. This is because you have malfunctions occurring in the exhaust system. Consequently, the system sensors report codes to the engine control unit that it identifies as errors. Because the unit cannot replace the catalytic converter, it will turn on the check engine light.
Acceleration That Jerks
After you have reported the theft to the authorities and your auto insurance company, you may attempt to drive your automobile home or to our shop. If you make this attempt, you are going to discover that every time you press down on the accelerator, your vehicle jerks several times. Aside from muffling the noise, the converter also absorbs the force that the manifold uses to push the exhaust into it.
Sputtering at Slow Speeds
As if the jerky acceleration were not bad enough, your vehicle is also going to have a difficult time operating at slower speeds. The engine produces two types of torque. It produces low-end torque when you drive slowly, and it produces high-end torque when you drive fast. For some reason, when the catalytic converter is missing from the exhaust system, the engine struggles with low-end torque.
Noticeable Exhaust Odors
Finally, we want to caution you that if you do drive your automobile, you may end up inhaling untreated exhaust. The exhaust manifold will release the untreated exhaust into the space where the catalytic converter once was. This will cause the exhaust to rise upward and into your automobile.
Lonestar Elite Automotive in Fort Worth, TX, would be happy to help, so call us today so we can schedule an appointment for you to come in for a new catalytic converter.