Catalytic converters are not cheap. The cost of a catalytic converter largely depends on the kind of parts and labor needed to replace it. We’ll explain the costs, and what a catalytic converter is to help you get a better understanding.
What is a Catalytic Converter?
A catalytic converter is the component that controls the car emissions. It looks like a muffler, but it’s different inside. The catalytic converter has a honeycomb interior that ensures the exhaust gases passing through inside interact with the catalyst particles that are embedded inside the honeycomb structure. Some of the catalyst particles include elements like rhodium, platinum, and palladium.
What is the Purpose of a Catalytic Converter?
The catalytic converter ensures that exhaust gases are less harmful when emitted. The unburned hydrocarbons will be catalyzed by the catalyst particles. The catalyst particles will superheat the hydrocarbon, and break it down into less environmentally harmful gases before it exits the tailpipe into the air. These unburnt hydrocarbons are responsible for much of the global environmental issues, and emissions should be cut down.
How Much Does a Catalytic Converter Cost?
How much a catalytic converter cost largely depends on the model. A price range for catalytic converters is between $945 to $2475. It also depends on the car model as some specialty cars may have a more expensive catalytic converter.
There are also labor costs associated with fixing the catalytic converter. The labor costs associated with replacing a catalytic converter can range from $70 per hour to $130 per hour. This is because the catalytic converter system may have rusty parts that hold it to the engine. Should the mechanic face any problems while fixing your catalytic converter, this will add time and raise labor costs.
Before you decide to purchase a new catalytic converter, you may need a full breakdown of how much it costs to make a more informed decision. There are also costs incurred to diagnose the catalytic converter problems which resulted in its failure. Sometimes, fixing the catalytic converter may be more expensive than the cost of the car itself.
When Should You Change the Catalytic Converter?
These are some of the red flags that you have a faulty catalytic converter:
- Engine cannot run smoothly, or stalls
- A nasty odor from the tailpipe
- The Check Engine light is flashing
- The catalytic converter rattles when your car is idle
- The catalytic converter glows red and causes a fire risk
When a catalytic converter goes bad, the fuel economy will also decrease. This causes the car to fail the smog test, and the engine will not be able to run smoothly. Ultimately, this can damage the engine severely. Hence, it’s not advisable to drive cars with faulty catalytic converters as it can be very dangerous.
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