How to Fix a Catalytic Converter Without Replacing It
You can fix a catalytic converter without replacing it as long as the damage isn’t severe. Here’s what to know.
Written by John Davis
Reviewed by Melanie Reiff
You can fix a catalytic converter without replacing it if the damage is minor. Some techniques to try include using fuel additives, removing the catalytic converter and cleaning it, and driving your car hard to help it reach a high operating temperature.
The catalytic converter’s job is to clean and filter out some of the more toxic chemicals your engine produces before they escape your tailpipe into the atmosphere. As such vital pieces of equipment, catalytic converters are not cheap—and can cost upwards of $2,000 to replace.
Fixing a damaged catalytic converter can reduce your costs in the long run, but having a good comprehensive
car insurance
policy is another important form of protection. In this article, trusted quote comparison app
and insurance broker Jerry
will go over everything you need to know about fixing a broken catalytic converter and getting the coverage you need to protect it. Jerry sends free alerts to keep your car up-to-date so you can avoid costly repairs
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Signs your catalytic converter cannot be fixed
As much as you might be hoping to fix your
catalytic converter
instead of replacing it, this isn’t always possible. Before we proceed, the following are signs that your catalytic converter has damage that’s beyond repair. Rattling noise
One symptom of a faulty catalytic converter is a rattling noise coming from beneath your car.
Your catalytic converter will be located roughly in the middle of your vehicle. If you notice a rattling sound coming from this area, your catalytic converter may have a major problem.
Physical damage or discoloration
You can also identify significant damage to your converter from warped, bent, or broken parts.
While you’re likely to find a bit of heat-caused discoloration on an older catalytic converter, excessive or odd-looking changes in color are cause for concern.
Rotten egg smell
A final sign of a failing catalytic converter is a sulfur smell. If you notice a smell like rotten eggs coming from your vehicle, there’s a good chance your catalytic converter is on the fritz.
This happens when the converter fails to change hydrogen sulfide into sulfur dioxide, resulting in an unpleasant odor.
Signs your catalytic converter can be fixed
Other catalytic converter issues, luckily, are fixable. There are a few things to look out for that signify that your converter can recover if you give it some TLC.
Decreased engine performance
Poor engine performance can be a sign that there is a problem with your catalytic converter. If your car is sputtering or losing power while driving and the issue lies with the converter, it’s likely that you can fix it.
Another symptom is
bad gas mileage
. Poor fuel efficiency often indicates that your car has an exhaust problem. This happens because the catalytic converter pushes some toxins back into your engine, resulting in performance and gas mileage issues. Catalytic converter problems might also cause your car to have issues with acceleration or starting. Often, these are signs that your catalytic converter is clogged, and you might need to clean it.
Check engine light is on
One final sign of a fixable catalytic converter issue is your check engine light. Although this light might turn on for any number of reasons, it may indicate problems with the exhaust system, specifically with the catalytic converter.
You can check the code that triggered your check engine light by using an OBD2 scanner or by visiting your local auto parts store, where the employees will often check your car for free.
MORE: How to read car OBD codes
Key Takeaway If you’re dealing with slower acceleration, decreased fuel efficiency, or other engine performance issues due to a faulty catalytic converter, you’ll likely be able to fix the catalytic converter yourself.
How to fix a catalytic converter without replacing it
If your catalytic converter has a minor issue, you might be able to fix it without replacing it. There are a few methods you can try.
Use fuel additives
Fuel additives, like Cataclean, are one of the first and easiest methods to try for fixing a catalytic converter issue. Just add the product to your fuel tank and then drive your car for 15 minutes.
These are especially useful if you use regular gasoline instead of premium varieties, as more expensive fuel already contains additives.
You can also try using lacquer thinner. For this method, you’ll want to pour about one gallon of lacquer thinner into your half-full gas tank. Then, drive on the highway for around 150 miles.
Alternatively, you can let your car idle at 2500 RPMs in the driveway for half an hour.
Remove the catalytic converter and clean it
If you’re mechanically inclined and fancy getting your hands dirty, you can remove the catalytic converter and clean it. Depending on your car, this isn’t as hard as it sounds.
You simply need to remove the converter and pressure wash all the gunk out. You can also try soaking it in a degreaser for several hours first to make things easier.
Drive your car hard
Finally, you can drive your car hard. This method is worth trying if you don’t usually push your vehicle much on the road.
Catalytic converters are designed to reach incredibly hot temperatures. However, if you only drive your car to and from work or to pick up the kids from school, your converter may never reach its optimal temperature.
Try taking your car out and pushing it hard for a while. To do this, accelerate rapidly, and then take your foot off the gas before accelerating again. Doing this a few times should allow your catalytic converter to reach its optimum temperature and may work well to burn off any gunk.
Key Takeaway If your car has a fixable catalytic converter problem, try using fuel additives, removing and cleaning the converter, or driving your vehicle hard to help the converter reach its optimal temperature.
Should I fix or replace my catalytic converter?
As it’s such an expensive part, you’ll want to ensure that your catalytic converter truly needs to be replaced before spending the money to buy a new one.
To review, your catalytic converter is probably beyond repair if you notice any of the following signs:
- Rattling under the car
- Warping or discoloration of the catalytic converter
- Sulfur smell (like rotten eggs)
On the other hand, you can possibly salvage your converter if you experience any of the following:
- Poor engine performance
- Bad gas mileage
- Issues with accelerationor trouble starting the car
- The check engine light is on
If you’re still unsure whether you can fix your catalytic converter, it never hurts to try it anyway. All of these fixes are cheaper than replacing your catalytic converter, which involves buying a replacement part and paying for the installation labor.
MORE:
What does an exhaust do?
How to find hassle-free car insurance
Regardless of whether you can fix your catalytic converter without replacing it, you must have a quality car insurance plan for your vehicle. However, not all policies provide the same levels of protection. And it’s often difficult to determine which coverage is the best deal for you.
The car owner’s super app,
Jerry
, makes things easier. As a licensed insurance broker, Jerry compares rates from over 55 of the nation’s top insurance providers to ensure you get the best coverage. Simply download the app, and let Jerry take care of the rest.“I was paying $350 a month for my new car. WithJerry, I set up a new policy in under 30 minutes that will save me over $1,000 a year!”—Mariah K.
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4.7/5 rating on the App Store | Trusted by 5+ million customers and 7 million cars4.7/5 app rating | Trusted by 5M+ driversCan you drive your car without a catalytic converter?
You can technically drive your car without a catalytic converter, as doing so will not damage your engine. However, it’s illegal to do this in every state.
Will a faulty catalytic converter damage the engine?
A bad catalytic converter can cause engine damage. This happens when your converter cannot expel harmful chemicals, and they back up into your engine. This can lead to various problems, including overheating and poor performance.
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