Book your vehicle’s catalytic converter repair online with Lube Mobile, Australia’s fleet of mobile mechanics who come to you for all of your car repairs and car service needs. Our fully qualified mechanics are equipped with everything they need to fix, replace and maintenance your engine and components, including being able to carry out your catalytic converter repair on site at your location. Whether you’re at home, at the office or on the road, Lube Mobile are always the local mechanics near me who are ready to attend to your vehicle.
Book online with Lube Mobile to have your next vehicle inspection, repair and service completed on site at your location including Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth and Brisbane, as well as the towns and suburbs in between.
What is a catalytic converter?
For the last 30 years, cars have been designed with a much greater emphasis on emissions control to try and keep them running as economically as possible and to stop them from impacting the health of the planet. Part of that design has been the invention of the catalytic converter that ensures your gas-powered vehicle remains as environmentally friendly as possible. This component is located in the exhaust pipe beyond the exhaust manifold but before the muffler. Its main purpose is to convert unburned hydrocarbons from the exhaust gases into more harmless gases as they leave the car and enter the environment.
A catalytic converter repair or a catalytic converter service may be required when the check engine light is illuminated. This happens when your engine management system detects a fault and it should be acted upon immediately. Our technicians are equipped with specific data gathering devices which integrate with your car’s onboard computer to read the trouble code it is registering. Once the error has been identified, the mechanic will quote you a price for the cost of repairs or replacements as required. The check engine light can be illuminated for a variety of reasons and the need for a catalytic converter is just one of them. Sometimes the error code may relate to other issues such as a steering problem or another king of exhaust repair required. It may even be related to things like your brakes or a suspension repair. Until the mechanic attends, however, you may not be able to read or interpret why your check engine light is on. Failure to act, however, can lead to further mechanical problems or even the need to replace your engine should the problem not be identified and corrected.
A bad catalytic converter can lead to a poor operating engine as well as the risk of associated issues like engine and exhaust leaks, other exhaust problems, broken oxygen sensors and restricting gas flow which leads to poor vehicle performance. Signs that you may need to replace the catalytic converter include a strong fuel smell coming from your exhaust, poor acceleration and poor idling. If your engine or exhaust is making noises that it doesn’t normally make, or your engine management system has detected a problem, then it’s best to arrange a mechanical inspection as soon as possible.
How much does a catalytic converter repair cost?
If a vehicle’s engine is not running at peak efficiency, then the catalytic converter can become clogged. High heat levels can also result in damage to the internal structure of the catalytic converter. This component works by taking harmful gases like nitrogen oxide and carbon monoxide and then turning them into harmless gases through a chemical reaction with its ceramic honeycomb shaped internal structure. Heat can damage this structure or higher than usual amounts of harmful gases, produced by a badly performing engine, can render it ineffective. In both cases the catalytic converter must be replaced and cannot be repaired.
The cost of a catalytic converter repair or replacement will vary depending on the car that you drive. Typically, the cost for replacement is about $1,500.00 but this could increase to up to $3,000.00. If the technician believes that removing the catalytic converter must be done, then the process usually takes about 2 hours. First, the technician will confirm whether there is a hole or a blocked area that is causing the issue. The car is then raised to it can be worked on properly and safely. The exhaust pipe is located, and the catalytic converter is then removed. This process can vary as some makes and models have secured the catalytic converter in place by welding while other will have it clamped or bolted into place.
Once the new component has been installed, the mechanic will check that everything is in working order and confirm the case with the car’s ECU. The final step is a road test to determine whether all of the noises and smells have dissipated.
More often than not, the catalytic converter does not fail on its own and will indicate a separate issue which also requires attention such as ignition system issues or even possibly a timing chain problem.
Book online today for a catalytic converter repair or a catalytic converter replacement. Our mobile mechanics are available and waiting to attend to your location where we can undertake a full range of mechanical servicing, maintenance, replacement of parts and safety inspections.
