Can I drive my car without the Catalytic Converters?

ABILOUWHO

MEMBER
2005 NISSAN ALTIMA
V6
TURBO
2WD
AUTOMATIC
180,000 MILES

My car's Catalytic Converters were removed before I had gotten it, but the exhaust pipe was welded back to straight pipe it. Well, when the last driver that trailered it was dropping the car off the winch hook to the trailer had gotten hooked up under the car without him knowing and as he took off it ripped the exhaust down. The exhaust was still attached to the car, but it was never fixed from whatever damage that may have caused, but recently I was driving it and the exhaust pretty much fell out of my car from underneath and the only way at the time to fix it was to cut the exhaust pipe from the front and leaving it short. My husband told me I can no longer drive the car until the exhaust pipe is fixed because driving with a short exhaust pipe could blow the motor on some cars, but he couldn't remember which ones. Can I continue to drive my car without getting it fixed?

1 Reply

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
109,747 POSTS

Hi,

I don't feel this will cause the engine to fail, but it is dangerous. The engine exhaust must exit the body of the vehicle. When you have it cut off under the car, there are good chances that carbon monoxide will enter the vehicle.

Carbon monoxide is colorless and odorless. It can cause disorientation, sickness, and it will cause death if ingested long enough. So, this is a repair that shouldn't be put off.

If you must drive it this way, make sure to leave a window open so that fresh air can enter the vehicle. If you feel sick or disoriented at all, pull over and shut the engine.

Let me know if you have other questions.

Take care,

joe