Steps for Finding Your Catalytic Converter When Replacing It

by Michelle Turner Consultant

Your car's catalytic converter is a critical component placed on its exhaust line. Its function is to neutralize many of the toxic contaminants in exhaust from the combustion process, before they are allowed into the atmosphere.

Unfortunately, this expensive component is placed in harm's way on the bottoms of cars. It doesn't take well to high levels of heat or impact with rocks or other road debris. Damage isn't uncommon. You know that your car's catalytic converter is due for replacement when you look for the symptoms.

Look for the signs

When damaged, catalytic converters usually change in behavior -- they restrict exhaust flow. You will usually notice the effects in the form of poor performance, poor fuel economy, misfiring and stalls. If you're handy around cars, you could even look up information on how to disconnect the oxygen sensors on the exhaust line. If taking the sensors out improves performance, you can be sure that your catalytic converter needs replacing.

The problem, however, is that asking a mechanic to replace your catalytic converter can end up being expensive. Depending on the car, these parts can cost hundreds, whether you go OEM or aftermarket. If your car is not particularly new, it wouldn't make sense investing this kind of money in it.

According to Bessler's Auto Parts, the answer is to look for the exact right model in a junked car at a yard. You can either have the yard's caretakers pull the part for you, or you can take in a set of tools, and pull the part yourself. You'd save a great deal.

Finding the right part

It can be so hard locating the right catalytic converter for a model of car, experienced mechanics are known to get it wrong sometimes. If your car comes with a universal catalytic converter, it makes your job locating the part much easier. -- you can go with any car in the yard with such a converter; you only need to make sure that it's the right kind -- two-way or three-way. You'll be able to locate the information you need in your manual, or on an emissions control information tag on the underside of the hood.

If it isn't a universal converter, however, you'll need to put in some work finding your exact model of car at the yard. Sometimes, however, if you find the exact model hard to come by, substitutes may work. The yard's website will usually offer searchability.

Once you locate models of car with parts that will work for your, all you need to do is to head to the yard, and find what you need.