It sounds like you’re experiencing issues with your vehicle’s engine and suspect that the catalytic converter might be missing or broken. Here are some symptoms and potential issues related to a bad or missing catalytic converter:

  1. Check Engine Light: The check engine light is one of the most obvious indicators of a malfunction with your car, and it’s also one of the strongest indicators of a bad catalytic converter When checked with a compatible OBD scanner, it will show you a catalytic converter-related trouble code

  2. Acceleration Lag: If you observe delays when accelerating or a decrease in power when driving in steep areas while all other parts like spark plugs, filters, sensors, etc. are fine, then it could be the catalytic converter that’s bad

  3. High or Low Fuel Consumption: A bad catalytic converter can cause your car engine to be much less efficient and it needs to work harder for the same amount of power. Therefore, a bad catalytic converter will most often cause a higher fuel consumption, even if lower is possible in some cases.

  4. Sulfur Smell: The most common symptoms of a bad catalytic converter are a sulfur smell when the engine is warm.

  5. Misfiring Engine: You may also notice engine performance issues like a misfiring engine1.

If you’re experiencing these symptoms, it’s crucial to get your vehicle checked by a professional mechanic. They can diagnose the issue accurately and suggest the necessary repairs or replacements. Please note that driving with a missing or broken catalytic converter can lead to engine failure, so it’s important to address the issue promptly.

Remember, it’s always important to be aware of the signs of a problem with your car so that you can get it fixed before it becomes a bigger issue