The weld broke from the manifold or the catalytic converter. Will it be ok to drive if a few miles until I can get it fixed
With the pipe off the manifold or catalytic converter, can I drive it for a few days until i can get it fixed.
My car has an automatic transmission.
My car has an automatic transmission.
Experienced mechanics share their insights in answering this question :
Hi there. Where the manifold is located on this vehicle, you may cause additional damage to the surrounding area components from the exhaust heat. I would not recommend driving it except to the repair shop if it is only a couple miles away. Even just driving it to the repair shop is a bit risky as well. If you’d like, a certified technician from YourMechanic can come to the car’s location to inspect the car and can help resolve this issue for you from there.
How to Identify and Fix Common car Problems ?
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Driving with a bad catalytic converter has drawbacks, like lower fuel economy and frequent stalling. You could also receive a ticket or fine and fail an emissions test.
Typically the catalytic converter does not require that you replace the exhaust manifold. The exhaust manifold refers to the manifold of tubes that connect from each piston, and bring the exhaust together to the main exhaust pipe.
Catalytic Converters should run for at least 10 years, but it doesn`t need to be swapped out as soon as those 10 years are up. It only has to get changed once you start to see those issues occur and if it`s recommended by the service technicians.
When the converter first starts showing signs of failure, it will not immediately affect the engine. Left unchecked, however, it will eventually degrade and collapse, plugging the exhaust, which will choke vehicle performance and limit the life of the motor.
A Catalytic Converter Can Be Driven Indefinitely
Driving with a bad catalytic converter is not too dangerous. If some small parts of your catalytic converter is plugged, you can still drive your car as usual.
Can you drive without a catalytic converter? Yes, you could temporarily drive without a catalytic converter, and it won`t damage a modern car or engine. But in the long run, it`ll emit harmful gas, sacrifice your car`s engine performance and fuel economy, and possibly get you in trouble with the law.
The O2 sensor senses oxygen levels. The catalytic converter catalyses hydrocarbons to CO2, nitrates and water. The two items have no relationship. You can remove either without them affecting each other.
Most older Toyota Camrys have a single catalytic converter on their undersides, but newer models carry a second under their hoods. Depending on the year, your Toyota Camry could have one or two catalytic converters.
Most catalytic converter failures fall under one of three categories: Overheated, melted or broken converters.
The average catalytic converter is designed to last about 100,000 miles, so if your car is nearing six figures on the odometer, chances are you need to give some thought to your catalytic converter.
It may be fixable if you catch a catalytic converter in the early stages of failure. However, it will probably need to be replaced if it is discolored, warped, rattling, or smells like sulfur.
The catalytic converter is supposed to last for the full lifetime of your vehicle. It rarely happens that someone must deal with dysfunctional catalytic converter but not impossible. There are a lot of factors that impact the life span, but generally a catalytic converter should last between 70,000 and 100,000 miles.
The cheapest way to fix catalytic converter is by giving it a good clean. Furthermore, a faulty oxygen sensor can sometimes have the same symptoms as a failed converter. And in such a case, all you would have to do is simply replace the rather inexpensive sensor.
Driving with A Failed Catalytic Converter
If you`re noticing slow powertrain performance, reduced acceleration, a smell of rotten eggs or sulfur from the exhaust, dark exhaust smoke, or extreme heat from under the vehicle, these are symptoms of a clogged Catalytic Converter, and it should be replaced quickly.
The most common reason for a catalytic converter to fail is because a related part fails — most often, a faulty spark plug. (Bad plugs can cause unburned gas to overheat inside the catalytic converter.)
A straight pipe exhaust system helps your engine run more efficiently. That`s because the backpressure created from the catalytic converter and muffler no longer exists. Less pressure on your engine results in more efficient operations, so you`ll see a slight increase in fuel efficiency.
Removing the catalytic converter can increase horsepower, but only by a negligible amount. You can expect an average gain of 15 horsepower by removing the cat. However, this depends on the size of your engine and the type of exhaust system you have.
Catalytic Converters should last at least 10 years, but they don`t need to be replaced once the 10 years are up. It just needs to get changed whenever you start to see those problems occur and if it`s recommended by our service technicians.
Most cars have at least two oxygen sensors located throughout the exhaust system; at least one in front of the catalytic converter and one or more downstream from the catalytic converter.
If you remove the oxygen sensors from your vehicle, you will ruin the efficiency of the engine, thus consuming around 10 to 20 percent more gas than otherwise required, and also cause early failure of many components such as the spark plugs.
The sensor should be located 6-8 inches after the collector, with 18-24 inches of exhaust pipe after it. As Kise explains, that`s the ideal location for the sensor to monitor the unburned oxygen in the exhaust while also preventing ambient oxygen creeping up the exhaust pipe and throwing off the readings.
This direct-fit catalytic converter is designed specifically for the 1996 Toyota Camry and interchanges with OE parts 17410-7A180 and 17410-74870. Avoid potential exhaust leaks by using the included gaskets to get a proper seal.
Designed to fit the 1997-2001 Toyota Camry and 1999-2002 Toyota Solara, this direct-fit catalytic converter also interchanges with OE parts 17410-0A080 and 17410-0A240, among others. Avoid potential exhaust leaks by using the included gaskets to get a proper seal.
Yes, the oxygen sensor can damage the catalytic converter, although the damage is indirect. What actually happens is that the oxygen sensor malfunctions and sends incorrect data to your vehicle`s main computer chip.
Relevant Questions and Answers :
the most relevant questions and answers related to your specific issue
The weld broke from the manifold or the catalytic converter. Will it be ok to drive if a few miles until I can get it fixed
ANSWER : Hi there. Where the manifold is located on this vehicle, you may cause additional damage to the surrounding area components from the exhaust heat. I would not recommend driving it except to the repair shop if it is only a couple miles away. Even just driving it to the repair shop is a bit risky as well. If you’d like, a certified technician from YourMechanic can come to the car’s location to inspect the car and can help resolve this issue for you from there.
Can front wheel drive car engine power rear wheel drive
ANSWER : Anything is possible with enough engineering. The changes you are looking at would take major structural changes and would definitely not be an easy job. You could possibly consult a manufacturing engineer to get more details on how this could actually be carried out and whether it would be feasible.
Check engine light is on for the catalytic converter , I fixed one about a year ago. Is there a part needed, Frontback? Which part
ANSWER : Since your vehicle has a V shaped engine, it will likely have two catalytic converters. Since the engine is mounted transversly in the vehicle (because it is front wheel drive) there will be one converter on the front and one on the rear. If you had one replaced, it is likely the issue is coming from the opposite converter. I would recommend having your exhaust system inspected by a qualified professional who has experience in exhaust system diagnosis and repair.
Fuel range indicator says I can drive 180 miles until empty. I drive half a mile and the indicator already says 165 miles left. What’s wrong?
ANSWER : This calculation your car performs is a constantly varying calculation due to a couple of things. One part of this calculation is based upon the driving habits of the driver and how the throttle is used in combination with how much fuel is left in the tank. The computer calculates a running average of the fuel used relative to how much fuel is in the tank. As you use more throttle consistently, this average mileage to empty calculation goes down. However, if you feel something is definitely out of the ordinary, have a certified technician, such as one from YourMechanic, diagnose your car’s fuel mileage issue.
What’s the difference between welding catalytic converters in place and placing a sleeve with clamps on it?
ANSWER : Hi there. It is okay to replace a catalytic converter with using clamps and sleeves. However, you will need to make sure that there is no exhaust leaks. An exhaust leak before any oxygen sensor will cause the engine light to come on as the computer thinks that the catalytic converter is not working properly. It is best to have one welded on but if you cannot have it welded on, you can clamp it on with no leaks. If you need further assistance with your catalytic converter replacement, then seek out a professional, such as one from Your Mechanic, to help you.
Changed catalytic converter, no lights on dashboard, but codes for catalytic converter & O2 sensor still remain
ANSWER : Hi there, thanks for writing in. I am not sure why you changed your catalytic converter. Assuming you had a P0420 code, replacing the catalytic converter should of resolved that code. The codes originally stored need to be cleared. The fact your check engine light remains off tells me, you may have fixed the problem. Try disconnecting the negative battery terminal for at least 2 minutes, reconnect. Start and drive the vehicle for 10-15 miles. Re-check for codes. If a code returns on the first drive cycle (pending code), a problem still exists. The check engine light should come back on (the next drive cycle) if, the fault is recognized by the computer. An exhaust leak before the oxygen sensor will cause O2 sensor and catalytic converter codes. If you are having trouble identifying the fault, consider having an expert automotive technician from YourMechanic come to your home or office to inspect and diagnose this issue for you, and make or suggest any repairs as needed.
Getting it into Park after driving & Getting it out of park to drive the car.
ANSWER : You should have the shift cable disconnected from the transmission to make sure the hard shift problem is in the shift cable or shifter assembly and not in the transmission. The most common cause is going to be in the shifter mechanism due to problems in the shifter. Have the shifter cable disconnected at both ends and check to make sure it moves free or it binds and shifter moves free. You may need to replace the shifter or shift cable and would need to be isolated to what one is cause.
I now know my catalytic converter is bad can I still drive it to work til I have it fixed in a day, I drive one way 65 miles
ANSWER : Although you catalytic converter may still allow the car to run, there is often times no telling when it will cause the car to not run. As you have experienced, this will cause the car to get very poor fuel mileage in addition to not running properly. A clogged catalytic converter can be dangerous to drive with due to the propensity for it to get extremely hot which can present a fire hazard in some situations. A certified professional from YourMechanic can replace your catalytic converter or inspect the decrease in mileage to verify which repairs are needed.
