Herndon’s #1 Garage to Replace Your Audi’s Failed Catalytic Converter

If you suspect your Audi’s catalytic converter has failed, it is advisable to take your car to a professional mechanic. Driving with a bad or improperly installed catalytic converter can cause harm to your Audi.

The catalytic converter, often called a cat, is part of your vehicle’s exhaust system. All modern ICE (Internal Combustion Engine) vehicles have catalytic converters. The cat converts the toxic exhaust gasses into less harmful substances. There are certain precious metals, such as platinum, palladium, and rhodium inside the converter. As the harmful gasses pass through the converter, a chemical reaction breaks down the poisonous gasses into water vapor, carbon dioxide, and nitrogen.

Symptoms of a Failed Catalytic Converter

When your Audi’s catalytic converter is not working as intended, you will notice quite a few tell-tale signs. Here are a few listed.

• Misfiring Engine: Incomplete combustion causes engine misfires. That can happen if the exhaust gasses are not being converted and expelled as intended due to a bad cat.
• Reduced Fuel Efficiency: When exhaust gasses cannot escape properly, they create excessive strain on the engine, which can easily lead to poor fuel efficiency.
• Lack of Power in Engine: When the engine is straining due to a malfunctioning cat, it will feel like your engine is sluggish and does not pick up. You’ll notice pressing the gas pedal doesn’t accelerate your car.
• Difficult Starts: Your Audi can start without a functioning catalytic converter. However, if a clogged cat is creating pressure on the engine, the engine will misfire. This will result in a difficult start.
• Banging Noises: Clanking, rattling, banging noises coming from under your car, while driving, could mean that your Audi’s cat may be loose or broken.
• Exhaust Smells Like Sulfur: If your Audi’s exhaust smells like rotten eggs, it means the catalytic converter is malfunctioning. Your exhaust contains sulfur, which is causing the smell.
• Thick Bluish Smoke: In addition to smelly, thick, black smoke, a malfunctioning catalytic converter might release thick, bluish smoke. Definitely make sure you have a mechanic check out your Audi.
• Failing Your Emissions Test: If the catalytic converter is not doing its job of converting the noxious gasses, then your Audi will fail its emissions test.
• Check Engine Light (CIL): This is one of the malfunction indicator lights (MIL), which turn on when your car detects some kind of problem within its system. There could be many reasons for this. Therefore, it is best to have a professional mechanic read the error codes with a scanner to determine what exactly is the problem.

Causes for Catalytic Converters to Fail

There could be many reasons why a catalytic converter might fail. Here are some top ones.

• Overheating: Extreme temperatures can destroy the precious materials inside the catalytic converter, rendering it useless.
• Contaminants: A clogged cat will have reduced efficiency. Any type of leaks from the engine, such as oil, coolant, or additives can all leave a residue and the converter could get clogged.
• Breaks and Cracks: It’s not unusual for the catalytic converter to take damage from road debris and rocks, as it is located under the car.
• Backfires: If your Audi backfires, which is a specific type of misfire, that can damage the cat. A backfire happens when an explosion takes place in the exhaust system because unburned fuel has entered the system.
• Normal Wear and Tear: Time, weather, and environment will play their part on your Audi’s catalytic converter. Oxidation will corrode the body and eventually the precious metals will be used up.

Regular Maintenance

The secret to your Audi’s long life is regular maintenance. Not only is it required for the longevity of the catalytic converter, but in general this is a must. Your professional mechanic can catch problems in their early stages, before they become a huge headache.

Visit Auto Scandia for Your Audi’s Best Performance

At Auto Scandia, we offer repair and maintenance services for many different makes and models. Our factory-trained, certified mechanics offer you professional and personalized service, where excellence is our benchmark. Call us or book an appointment to visit us in Sterling, Reston, Great Falls, Chantilly, Oakton, or Herndon in Virginia. We’ll get your Audi back in top condition so you can drive it with confidence.