How to Tell If Your BMW X3 Catalytic Converter Is Bad in Phoenix? In general, the main role of the catalytic converter in your vehicle is to convert the amount of harmful gases and pollution produced from the exhaust system into nonharmful gases before they are pushed through the tailpipe. However, it is an important component of the exhaust system located between the engine and muffler. Thus, the converter is using the chemical catalyst to turn the harmful gases into a safer one for running the engine efficiently. If the catalytic converter is damaged, it will reduce engine performance and your BMW X3 will fail the emission test. When it happens, you have to repair and replace the converter including the exhaust system. Generally, the clogged catalytic converter is a common problem in high mileage cars. Determining the early signs of a bad catalytic converter will prevent the occurrence of major damages. The following points define the signs of a bad catalytic converter in your BMW X3.
Decrease engine performance When the exhaust system of the car is unable to escape or become trapped, it will decrease the engine performance poorly. When it happens, you have to check the catalytic converter for damages because it creates backpressure that can affect the engine's performance and prevent it from running properly. Due to the sudden increase in the backpressure, the engine is stalling while driving the car. Moreover, it clearly indicates that the air is trapped within the exhaust system that can cause jerking problems while pushing the accelerator.
The exhaust system perform poorly Changes in the performance of the exhaust system indicate that the converter is clogged and starting to fail. If the catalyst materials within the catalytic converter are starting to melt, it will malfunction the converter. When it happens, you will find that the performance of the exhaust system is reduced automatically. For determining the current condition of the catalytic converter, you can take out the oxygen sensors from the exhaust system temporarily.
Increase the emissions When you will add low-quality antifreeze or motor oil to the catalytic converter, the mechanical mechanisms of the converter is contaminated and performs very poorly.