what are the symtoms of a blown catalitic converter? my car has developed a rotton egg smell is this the prob?

Answer 1

The rotten egg smell is an indication of too much fuel not being burnt (in other words, the fuel mixture is too rich), not a bad catalytic converter. Chances are, the converter is still good, for now anyway.

While it's possible the cat is bad already, you'll need to fix the fuel problem first, then have the converter checked out. They can check it with a backpressure guage that tells if the converter is plugged or not. If you run it like this long enough, it will go bad, fix it soon enough, and you may save it.

A bad cat will cause a decrease in acceleration, decreased speed, hard start, and can even prevent the vehicle from starting in some cases.

BTW, all cars sold in the US carry an 8 year 80,000 mile emissions warranty. If you're under that, take it to the dealer as the repairs may be covered under warranty, even if it isn't the converter itself.

Answer 2

Actually, motor fuels should have a very, very low sulfur content. If you can smell it, you're burning something you shouldn't. It may be that the place you buy your gas has had an off-spec or contaminated delivery. This is easy enough to check. Just run down your tank and fill it someplace new once or twice. The other possibile source of the problem is your oil. It may be that you're beginning to burn oil, or that the oil's sulfur content is so high that the little bit left on the cylinders is producing the HS. Same fix....have your oil changed someplace new. Try synthetic for your next oil change. If the problem goes away, you've nailed it.

If neither of these tricks cleans up your exhaust, that means your engine is running VERY rich. The likely cause is a bad O2 sensor, and it will cause your cat to fail eventurally.

Answer 3

The rotton egg smell is a sign that your car needs a good service. The smell is H2S and comes from the fuel only being partially burned. You may also notice a reduction in MPG which again points to a service being required.

Answer 4

Hi

The rotten egg smell is the normal product of a healthy catalytic convertor, but if it is to the excess then you could have an overfueling problem, which you should have rectified as soon as possible or you will end up needing a new convertor because the excess fuel will terminally damage it.

Cheers

Geordie

Answer 5

Dude, you answered your own question. The egg smell is also commonly referred to as a "Stink Damp" That smell is actually high levels of Sulfur. Do a complete engine tuneup & replace the catalytic converter.

Answer 6

nicely once you say rotten egg scent it makes me think of of heavy weight equipment oil. As in the equipment oil in a rear differential or some handbook transmissions. yet then i do no longer see how urgent on the gasoline halfway down might do away with it. you in all probability could examine under you vehicle for any leaks. If it extremely is a rear wheel stress then examine the rear differential (in between the rear wheels). And examine the transmission if it extremely is a common. the two in between the motor and rear differential (rear wheel stress) or under the motor (front wheel stress). stable good fortune i'm hoping you stumble on out what it extremely is. with a bit of luck no longer something important.

Answer 7

It sounds like you have done your cat in but get it checked and if you come from England buy a product called cat converter a liquid that keeps it clean ace stuff

Answer 8

er, i disagree, the smell of rotten eggs is a sign the cat is working... hydrogen sulphide is a by product of combustion...

go to a garage and put it on the exhaust analyser they use for MOT's... itll cost around ten quid... better to know than guess...you may save yourself a few hundred quid.

Answer 9

that is the "symptom" of a blown catalitic converter, good luck

Answer 10

If it is noticeable at more times than just when you floor the thing the cat is badddddddddddd