There are various types of catalytic converter symptoms for failure and you can easily identify these symptoms to ensure that you can go to the mechanic before the problem goes out of hand and the expenses of fixing the problem remains within the budget. The first and the most significant symptom is that of loss of power. When unused or excess raw fuel gets into the catalytic converter and burns there itself, it creates overheating causing thermal failure. Moreover, the fuel fails to reach to the engine thus confirming that there is some kind of leakage in the catalytic converter. Therefore, if you find that you are experiencing power failure you should check your catalytic converter.
The second most obvious symptom that your catalytic converter is failing is the high levels of emission from your car. This happens when your catalytic converter gets clogged with coolant or other material causing excess emission of hydrocarbons, nitrogen oxide and carbon monoxide. When you push on your accelerator and you see that your car is emitting gases more than it should it is a clear indicator that your catalytic converter is experiencing serious problems and requires your immediate attention. With regular excess emission, your catalytic converter is going to get clogged even more thus causing serious damage not only to your catalytic converter but also to your car.
Foul odor is the next indicator that your catalytic converter is experiencing problems. The foul smell can be due to the fact that the oil mixture reaching the converter is too rich or is disproportionate in composition causing overheating. The overheating damages the ceramic monolith thus emitting the foul smell. The disproportionate composition of the fuel can create hydrogen sulfide, which has a very foul smell. When you start experiencing such foul smell in your car, you might want to take a look at your catalytic converter for failure symptoms.
Apart from these symptoms, you also have the symptom of rattling which is also an indicator that your catalytic converter requires your attention. If you are driving in extreme temperatures and your heated catalytic converter is subjected to quick cooling, for example due to snow, then the ceramic substrate can crack and the housing of the catalytic converter contracts as well due to this reason. Therefore, the combination of this situation causes rattling an indicator that the catalytic converter has been damaged. All these conditions are the basic indication that your catalytic converter has suffered some kind of damage and it is best that you get it checked immediately.
