1996 Ford Escort Catalytic Converter

Suggested Repair

Do not replace the catalytic converter unless it has failed. Signs of failure include reduced fuel mileage, sputtering, the engine dying after a few minutes as if starved for fuel, and exhaust rattling if the catalyst has broken apart inside the casing.

Conversation Summary

The owner of a 1996 Ford Escort Cabriolet 1.8 with 92,000 miles asked how to tell when a catalytic converter needs replacement and what faults a bad converter causes. The expert advised leaving it alone unless it fails, and listed symptoms including poor fuel mileage, sputtering, stalling after a few minutes as if fuel-starved, and rattling from a broken catalyst substrate.