Catalytic Converter Replacement in Berkeley
Oceanworks Berkeley provides full service catalytic converter replacement in Berkeley. Catalytic converter is located on the underside of your vehicle (most cars have just one, cars with dual exhaust pipes will have two catalytic converters), and its function is to clean up emission gases before they are released into the atmosphere. Since they have no moving parts, catalytic converters rarely fail. But failures do occur, especially when the vehicle has aged, and recent thefts of catalytic converters in the Bay Area resulted in thousands of vehicles needing catalytic converter replacement.
At Oceanworks Berkeley our nationally ASE certified technicians have extensive experience in catalytic converter replacement. If your vehicle had its catalytic converter stolen (Prius Gen 2 and Honda Element seem to be especially at risk), they will assess damage done by thieves, order appropriate parts, and order correct catalytic converter ( California has very stringent requirements when it comes to catalytic converters), then we will repair the damage and install the new catalytic converter.
If the catalytic converter was not stolen, but merely appears to be failing, we will run diagnostics to verify that the catalytic converter does need to be replaced – replacement is expensive, so we want to be 100% sure that catalytic converter replacement is needed.
How to Spot Catalytic Converter Failure
Failing catalytic converter results in symptoms that will alert you that a visit to your Berkeley mechanic is in order:
- Loss of power
- Engine may misfire
- Exhaust gases may have an unpleasant odor, due to unburned hydrocarbons.
- Car engine may be running rough
- Backfiring or rough running
- Check engine light will be illuminated
Fortunately, many of these symptoms do not necessarily mean that the catalytic converter needs to be replaced, but a professional diagnosis at an auto repair shop is necessary.
How We Go About Replacing a Catalytic Converter
Since California has stringent laws pertaining to catalytic converters, first thing we need is your vehicle’s VIN number, and possibly catalytic converter number to make sure that we source correct, California legal, replacement converter.
Once the new catalytic converter is delivered to our Berkeley auto repair shop, we will get your car up on the rack, and remove old catalytic converter ( on in case of a stolen one, remove and replace parts damaged by thieves). After installing new catalytic converter, we start the engine to check for exhaust leaks and other problems with the new catalytic converter. The final step of the catalytic replacement process is to take your car for a road test, to make sure that all systems are working as expected.
So if your vehicle’s catalytic converter was stolen or if you see indicators that it may be failing, bring your car to Oceanworks Berkeley for a professional inspection. We will find out exactly what needs to be done, and will advise you in deciding on the course of action.
If you have any questions about the catalytic converter replacement process, call us at the shop – we are happy to be of service. If you are ready to make an appointment, you can make an appointment online, or simply call us to set one up.