| Usually a catalytic converter can fail if: It becomes clogged. There really is no "inspection port" for the mechanic to see an actual clog in your catalytic converter. Often, the only way to tell if a catalytic converter is bad or clogged is to remove it and check the change in engine performance.
Most times when a converter is clogged it is usually caused by the O2 sensor going bad. Most oxygen sensors need to be relpaced every 60,000 miles as regular maintenience, but mosly get overlooked by most people and mechanics. Sometimes you can tell that a converter is clogged because you don't go any faster when you push the gas pedal.
Also, there usually is a major drop in gas mileage associated with a clogged catalytic converter. A clogged catalytic converter often acts like an engine governor, limiting the actual RPMâ??s. A totally clogged catalytic converter causes the engine to quit after a few minutes because of all the increased exhaust system back pressure.
Most catalytic converters will last 100,000 miles or more. But some can fail when just a few months old also. It just depends on luck most of the time. |
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