Honda Catalytic Converters

If you're looking to replace the catalytic converter on your Honda, you may be wondering a few things. What exactly is a catalytic converter? And how did yours break? The answers are relatively simple, and replacing your Honda catalytic converter shouldn't be too difficult, either.

How Catalytic Converters Break

In case you're not too automotively inclined, a catalytic converter is a part of your car's exhaust system that prevents harmful emissions from entering the atmosphere. They are a relatively recent addition to cars, and came as a result of laws that were passed that limit the amount of pollution your car can generate. Having a bad catalytic converter doesn't necessarily mean your car won't work, but it is illegal in virtually every state to drive without a working catalytic converter.

There are basically two ways that your catalytic converter can go bad. The first way is via actual physical damage. Since the catalytic converter is usually mounted underneath the car, it can be susceptible to damage from bumps and flying rocks. A hole in your catalytic converter can break up the sensitive filtering materials inside, causing a lot of noise and reducing your car's efficiency to the extent that you may actually feel a difference while driving.

The other major reason for damage to catalytic converters is overly rich exhaust. Catalytic converters are designed to filter a precise amount of exhaust, so if your engine is running inefficiently it might be sending more pollution into the catalytic converter than it is designed to handle. The result is a clogged catalytic converter that will reduce engine performance and will allow too much pollution to escape through the exhaust system.