Rattling Catalytic Converter

This is a great example of a noise a catalytic converter may make if it comes apart internally. This is a somewhat common way in which a catalytic converter can fail. However, a catalytic converter dose not have to make noise to be bad. This is just one example and one symptom of a bad catalytic converter.

Note: While this is a somewhat common symptom of a catalytic converter that has come apart inside it is not common for a converter to come apart on its own. There is usually a root cause to why the converter came apart. Usually an ignition misfire is to blame. When an ignition misfire occurs the unburned fuel enters the cat converter and overwhelms it. The catalyst temperature rises above normal operating temperature and causes the catalyst to meld down. There are other things that can cause a catalytic converter to melt down also such as a leaking fuel injector, a faulty O2 sensor, a faulty MAP sensor, and the list goes on. Proper diagnosis and repair of root causes of catalytic converter failure must be address before replacing a catalytic converter or repeat failure could occur.

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Barbour's Auto Help is not responsible for any damage or personal injury incurred in the process of performing any auto repairs done by you the viewer. Automotive repair is extremely dangerous. Repair your vehicle at your own risk. It is the viewers responsibility to verify all information and procedures as outlined in YOUR REPAIR MANUAL AND OWNERS MANUAL FOR YOUR VEHICLE. Owning and using a repair manual suited for your vehicle is essential for correctly and safely performing ANY repair to your vehicle. Always wear safety glasses and heed all instructions for use applicable to any piece of equipment you may use. Due to circumstances out of the control of Barbours Auto Help, Barbours Auto Help makes no guarantee that by the use of the information given in this video a quality repair will be made. Barbour'sAutoHelp makes no guarantee that the information provided is totally complete, syncronized and accurate. Verify everything using an appropriate repair manual.

Repair your vehicle at your own risk! Barbour's auto help does not guarantee a proper repair using these techniques.

Special thanks to my wife for checking my spelling on this video and all my videos. You're the best Babe!

[solomonromeci]

Exactly brother finally someone who understands my pain thank you so much after years and years you are greatly appreciated keep up the good work

[masonwabevalashiya]

Thanks alot Bro. I've searched everywhere on the internet trying to find out why my car sounds like that!!!! This video helped me to find the cause!!!!

[dfwfast]

Thanks. That’s exactly what my 94’ ZR1 is doing. Thought it might be a rod at first so quite a relief.

[markgunther]

The new ones just deteriorate over time. I have a cat I only use for smog checks but I've been doing that for about 16 years, however it only gets about 10 miles on it per year. Thus it probably has about 160 miles on it. I noticed just a couple years ago, the insulation that I holds the catalyst in place inside fell apart and stated coming out the pipe ends just from sitting in the garage. The catalyst is now free to bounce around and makes quite the racket, however, the catalyst works fine and lowers emissions the same amount as it did when it was brand new.

[posttracy]

Thank you for getting to the point with a long drawn out video of talking. The sound is exactly the same sound my 2016 Toyota Camry started making yesterday.

[driver]

I was on my home the other night and i could feel my car missing. Well, that missing turned in to violent bucking and backfiring in the exhaust. This ended with me pushing my dead car off the bottom of an off ramp on to the shoulder. After a 50 mile tow to my mechanic it was diagnosed as a failed IGNITION COIL. The night that I got it back it started making this exact noise. The car is over 25 it doesn't need to be inspected anymore so today I ordered an off road X-pipe. Your video was perfect! Thank you!

[tareqkarim]

My X3 is doing the same, when the engine is cold and when it's warm but running below 2k RPM, the crazy thing that when I went and the car the noise comes from the place where the engine and the gearbox meet each other.

[drmanhattan]

THANK YOU! Took my car to a “mechanic” for spark plug replacement. My car stared to shut down when parked. He told me he had over 50 years experience and he knew what he was doing. And that I was over reacting to the car shutting down. That my needed to get use to the new spark plugs. My car wouldn’t accelerate, so he drove it and put gas to the floor to make it drive and said car was driving fine. Next day I found the boxes he left in my car for the spark plugs he put in my car. … took it to Autozone and they said it wasn’t fit for my car. I bought the correct ones but within a day- the spark plugs he placed in were burnt out. And was causing so much misfire. My car is still acting worse now. And I was told my catalytic converter is now acting up. It is creating this noise now. 😭😩 ALWAYS TRUST YOUR GUT INSTINCT!

[michaelburkett]

Omg thank God for this video! I thought my motor was blown this morning. Sounds like a rod is gonna shoot through the block. Appreciate the info🤯

[BXHiram]

Finally! Found the noise I've been hearing, thank you! I'll check it out

[jsanchez]

I had been hearing this same noise coming from my 2004 Ford Expedition and thought it was something in my engine. It turned out to be the 2nd catalytic. Replaced it and now sounds as smooth as butter! Thank you. Your video definitely steered me in the right direction. I am now subscribing to your channel!

[suzannenelson]

Thank you for your time and effort in making these videos. Perfect!! I searched it and BAM! Exactly what I wanted to hear and see. Problem solved. Appreciate you like crazy. I'll be back.

[ImTheDaveman]

My 2001 F250 Super Duty is making a noise almost like that - and the catalytic converter came to mind. You are my first stop to get even a hint of what's going on. Thank you for making this video!

[TheIpadiphone]

Thank you I was hearing a noise from my exhaust by I never thought it would be the catalytic converter. You do talk about finding the cause of the fault but my truck doesn’t show any signs of misfire or and engine problems, the only thing I can think of is a few months ago someone half cut the other catalytic converter and I had to drive my truck about 40 miles to get it fixed

[MrKL]

My sister in law brought her 2009 Nissan frontier with the same noise. Went under and found the rattling noise on the passangers cat converter. The secondary I believe. Great video.

[toyotamuhfuh]

Thanks for this, i hit a speed bump really hard tonight because my car is lowered and I was going too fast like an idiot, at first I thought my engine was knocking but then I remembered the speed bump and it turns out that my catalytic converter is what hit against the speed bump.

[jaggass]

The joint on my backbox (muffler) rattles on idle but goes away when you rev it or touch the joint. I have no engine management light and it runs fine.

[leetos.]

Hi mate I totally agree with you that honey comb breaks down as part of wear and tear inside a cat regardless how well an owner does regular maintenance on his car . I'm going through same experience right now with my 2017 ioniq at 250K mileage and starting to hear some weird noise within that cat converter when I accelerate at times ....I figured I could extend the life of my converter as long I keep my regular maintenance like oil change air filter and other basics...once theres much consistent rattle noise during driving then it's perfect time to replace my cat once and for all

[souldude]

Thank you so much for this video!! This is the exact same sound my car is making and you’ve helped me to find a solution. I’ve been worried out this sound for a few months now.

[robertgussler]

and i was thinking about just selling it cheap and taking a massive loss thank you so much you saved me $3000 God Bless you