Terre Haute Auto Repair

A healthy catalytic converter cleans up exhaust without calling attention to itself. When it begins to clog, the change is gradual. Power falls off, the engine feels labored, and fuel economy dips for reasons that are not obvious at first. Many drivers chase coils, plugs, and sensors before realizing the exhaust is the real restriction. Knowing the early signs can save you from a tow and prevent damage to parts upstream. What the Converter Does and Why It Can Restrict Flow Inside the converter is a ceramic or metallic honeycomb coated with precious metals. Exhaust flows through those tiny passages while chemical reactions reduce harmful gases. Heat, unburned fuel, and age slowly damage the coating and the structure. When the brick melts or breaks apart, passages collapse and the outlet shrinks. The engine now pushes against backpressure, which steals power and raises temperatures in the exhaust system. Early Symptoms Most Drivers Notice First Clogg ... read more