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Auto Repairs and Servicing

Hello, my name is Walter. Over the past few months, I have been working on my car. I never used to think much about my car. I would just jump into it and hit the road. Things were fine at first, but soon I realised that things were starting to go wrong. Strange white smoke started to appear from the exhaust. Sometimes when I changed gear, I could hear a strange noise. Foolishly, I ignored all of this until my car broke down. When I got to the auto repair shop the mechanic repaired my car and then gave it a full service. As he did so, I began my auto servicing education.

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Why Your Catalytic Converter May Be Failing Frequently

by Margie White

Are you wondering why your truck keeps developing catalytic converter problems? Read on and discover what you can do to prevent those problems from recurring.

A Leaking Cooling System

A leak in the cooling system of your truck can cause the catalytic converter to fail. For instance, the engine coolant can find its way into the combustion chambers of the truck's engine if the cylinder head gasket is damaged. The fluids cause the catalytic converter to become clogged to the extent that the engine will no longer perform well since exhaust gases cannot leave quickly enough to allow clean air to mix with fuel.

You can avoid this problem by being alert to any signs of a leakage in the cooling system of your truck. For instance, investigate any sweet smell that you sense when you are in your truck. It could be an early warning sign that a coolant leak is taking place. Other signs include unexplainable reductions in the coolant's level.

A Defective Oxygen Sensor

A defective oxygen sensor can affect the ability of your engine to mix air and fuel effectively. Consequently, incomplete combustion is likely to occur if insufficient air gets into the combustion chambers. That incomplete combustion will cause the catalytic converter to become clogged.

Defective oxygen sensors often cause the "check engine" light to go on. Take your truck for professional diagnosis when you see that light on your dashboard. Prompt action will prevent the catalytic converter from sustaining irreparable damage.

Physical Damage

Trucks that are driven in severe conditions, such as on dirt roads, can suffer damage from road debris. This road debris can also damage the catalytic converter since it is situated underneath the truck. Hitting curbs or other obstacles can also damage the catalytic converter.

It is advisable to avoid driving in locations that expose the undercarriage of your truck to damage by objects and debris. Always check underneath the truck once you suspect that an object has damaged something there. Prompt detection of any defects can avert worse problems later on.

Several other factors, such as using poor quality fuel, can affect catalytic converters. It is therefore prudent to ask a mechanic for detailed tips on what you should do or avoid in order to prolong the service life of the catalytic converter in your truck. In this way, you will safeguard yourself from having to call for roadside assistance when your truck breaks down because of catalytic converter problems.

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