Catalyst Fracture

This is an example of a catalyst fracture. The ceramic became loose, cracked and began to break down. The pieces began to obstruct flow, creating backpressure and increasing the heat in the exhaust system. There is evidence of partial meltdown in this example due to overheating.

The initial causes for this damage could have been road debris striking the converter based on evidence of impact on the converter shell. In some cases, if the protective mat that holds the catalyst in place is directly exposed to exhaust gasses, it could deteriorate and allow the catalyst to fracture. Car Sound’s protective mat is shielded from direct exposure by our recessed dual cavity body and holds the catalyst firmly in place.