Mike’s Auto Service & Repair hates to say it but if your car is jerking when you accelerate, you probably don’t have the catalytic converter anymore. We will talk more about this below, but this is a sign that the converter has been stolen. This is a common form of automotive theft because people want the metal out of which the converter is made. Here are signs your catalytic converter is missing.
Extreme Engine Noise
You will know something is wrong before you press down on the accelerator. When the catalytic converter has been stolen, the engine gets much louder. Consequently, you will be surprised by how loud your engine is when you fire up your automobile. It will also make an unusual roaring noise that gets louder when you press down on the accelerator.
Jerking Acceleration
The reason why the engine makes so much noise and your acceleration jerks is that the catalytic converter is no longer there to absorb the exhaust force as it exits the engine. When the engine moves the exhaust into the catalytic converter, it does so with quite a bit of force. A missing catalytic converter will make the engine roar and the acceleration jerk as a result of this force.
Slow-Speed Sputtering
Your engine will also have problems performing when you want to drive at slower speeds. The engine performance will improve as you pick up speed. When the catalytic converter has been removed from underneath your automobile, the engine can still produce high-end torque, or the power you need at high speeds. It will struggle to produce the power you need at slow speeds.
Check Engine Warning
As you can imagine, there’s a lot going on that isn’t normal when the catalytic converter is missing. Consequently, you will receive a check engine warning on the dashboard that will remain lit until you have another catalytic converter installed. This is because sensors are detecting malfunctions in various systems and reporting them to the engine control module.
Noticeable Exhaust Odors
Finally, the discussion so far has assumed that you are driving your automobile with a missing catalytic converter. We want to discourage you from doing this because the engine’s exhaust will not remain in the exhaust system. It will be pushed out of the engine and surround your automobile because the catalytic converter isn’t there to take it in. Consequently, you could get sick while driving your automobile if the exhaust makes its way into the cabin.
Mike’s Auto Service & Repair in West Springfield, MA, can help you if your catalytic converter has been stolen. Give us a call today.
