A healthy catalytic converter is important not just for the environment, but also for the thrill of driving your Porsche and to ensure optimal performance. So it’s worth being alert to signs that it’s time to contact your local Porsche dealer about a replacement.
Signs That Your Porsche Needs a New Catalytic Converter
Your converter is designed to break down harmful chemicals from your engine, such as nitrous oxides, hydrocarbons, and carbon monoxide, into safer emissions. Often known as the “cat”, this component is rather like honeycomb and features numerous tiny pores. These are coated in metals, such as palladium, that act as a catalyst to neutralize fumes.
Over time these pores may become clogged, or the cat might become faulty or damaged. Eventually, you will need a replacement. Being aware of its health will help you to know when to book an appointment.
Time to Contact Your Porsche Dealer?
In Ohio, emissions testing is required every two years on vehicles that are over four years old, and this will pick up on any struggles that your converter might be experiencing. A Porsche converter should typically last for about 10 years, or 100,000 miles, so also keep an eye on the odometer and your calendar for an idea of when the need for a replacement might be looming.
However, these figures are variable, so it’s worth remaining alert to other signals that the cat is no longer functioning at optimal efficiency.
Compromised Performance
Every Porsche driver knows the joy of a powerful, smoothly-functioning engine as part of the driving experience. However, a malfunctioning cat will undermine your vehicle’s ability to perform. Inefficient fuel combustion may cause the engine to misfire, while a restricted flow of exhaust gases will reduce the engine power.
Leakage of unburned particles will also affect your fuel economy. If your car is no longer giving peak performance, and is struggling with speed and acceleration, then you should schedule a diagnostic checkup as soon as you can.
Bad Smells
Hydrogen sulfide is one of the harmful gases that should normally be converted by a functioning cat. However, if something goes wrong, unburned fuel might infiltrate the exhaust system and this will result in a sulfuric smell, similar to rotten eggs.
You might also experience a burning smell, or thick, black smoke that emits from the tailpipe. All of these are guaranteed to ruin your enjoyment of the drive, but they might also indicate that the internal components of your engine are at risk of damage. In any of these cases, it’s essential to get your converter looked at.
Rattling Noises
If the mesh inside the converter has degraded, it can cause a rattling sound under the engine. Especially noticeable when the engine is turned over, this might be a result of corrosion from certain fuel mixtures, or simply a matter of age. Either way, though, it needs to be checked out.
A faulty cat can put your engine at risk. If you’re in any doubt, don’t hesitate to contact us at Porsche Beachwood for the peace of mind that comes from knowing that your car is in the hands of the very best trained technicians.
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