Most diesel trucks are heavy-duty and large. This means the catalytic converter underneath is bigger than the catalytic converter installed in a car. Because catalytic converters are made of precious metals, thieves love to steal catalytic converters from diesel trucks. This gives them more money when they sell them on the black market. It is not safe to drive your diesel truck if the catalytic converter has been stolen. Thankfully, you will know immediately that there is a problem.
When you press the start button or turn the ignition key, the engine is going to roar very loudly after the catalytic converter has been taken. In fact, your initial thought may be that there is a problem with the diesel truck’s muffler. Although the catalytic converter is not a muffler, it does help prevent the loud sound of the exhaust being pushed out of the exhaust manifold.
In addition to the loud and roaring diesel engine, the check engine light is also going to illuminate on the dashboard. The exhaust system will report errors to the engine control module because the catalytic converter is missing. In addition, the exhaust is not treated. As such, the module will turn on the CEL to alert you that there is a problem it cannot fix.
We mentioned above that it is dangerous to drive your diesel truck. If you attempt to do so, you will notice right away that the truck lurches when you try to accelerate. This jerky acceleration is the force of the exhaust being pushed out of the exhaust manifold.
Your diesel truck will also have problems operating at slow speeds because the engine cannot produce low-end torque. Unfortunately, the diesel engine will sputter and struggle to run until you pick up speed. You will learn next what we recommend you do not drive your diesel truck.
It’s a simple fact of inhaling exhaust fumes. When the catalytic converter is stolen, the exhaust manifold releases the exhaust into the open air. When this happens, the exhaust floats up and into your diesel truck’s cabin. Consequently, you may smell the exhaust and get sick when you drive the diesel truck. Inhaling diesel exhaust is poisonous, so don’t drive the truck.
Rather, have the diesel truck towed to our shop today so we can replace the catalytic converter that was taken from underneath it.
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