Q: Catalytic converter turning bright red

asked by on February 09, 2016

I recently had the valve cover gasket replaced and now my catalytic converter is turning a bright red and five codes are coming up.

Catalytic Converter Replacement $288.41 - $1959.69 Get a Quote

You have two valve cover gaskets, one for each bank of cylinders. They should both be replaced at the same time. The left bank(front) is much easier and there are less parts to remove. The right bank(rear) is more involved and has more possibilities for error. The catalytic converter will glow red when too much fuel is reaching it. It’s purpose is to burn the excess fuel and air from normal combustion through a chemical process. When there is a misfire, much more fuel and air reach it and it burns too hot. If your engine is running rough, this indicates a misfire. During your repair, if an ignition coil was not plugged in, this could result. The 5 codes set will point to what was not done properly when the gaskets were changed. Do not run the engine until it is repaired. The converter has the ability to melt itself and they are very expensive to replace. I recommend having a certified mechanic diagnose your vehicle and replace your catalytic converter if necessary.

The statements expressed above are only for informational purposes and should be independently verified. Please see our terms of service for more details

Get an instant quote for your car

Our certified mechanics come to you ・Backed by 12-month, 12,000-mile guarantee・Fair and transparent pricing


Experienced Mechanic?

Earn up to $70/hr

What others are asking

Cylinder has no compression
Loss of compression in a cylinder is a sign of physical/mechanical damage such as; a bent intake or exhaust valve, a leaking head gasket. Or possibly a hole in the piston, block, or cylinder head. The combustion chamber could also...
Engine sputtering and hesitating
Hello. This problem has a number of potential sources. If you have serviced the vehicle on schedule, determine if the sputtering occurred gradually, or happened suddenly. The sputtering could be from a fuel filter, fuel pump ,or fuel pickup problem,...
Screeching metal sound
The power steering fluid you keep adding has to be going somewhere and it most likely leaking from one or more places. Typically the power steering pump, high pressure line and power rack and pinion are common failure items. Have...
Car won't start
Without testing, it will be very difficult to determine what is wrong. That being said, there are a few things that pop into mind. The mesh wire you see may be a ground strap. It is very important that the...
Car rough idles and worse when engine is warm - 2008 BMW 528i
Hey there. You should first check for any problem codes. Next, check for vacuum leaks (https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/is-it-safe-to-drive-with-a-vacuum-leak). Third, check out the idle air control valve (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/idle-control-valve-replacement) - clean it if possible. A professional mechanic, like one from YourMechanic, can help with...
How much does it cost to replace spark plugs on a V6 engine?
Billing question sent to CS for the cost to replace spark plugs on a V6 engine.
Fuel Pump
If you have a brand new fuel pump, I would recommend trying a few things. First, I would verify that the connections to the fuel pump are fully plugged in and that no wiring issues exist. Next, I would check...
How to tell if my Yukon has active brake control or not?
If you have a traction control switch to turn traction control on and off then you do not have active brake control. If you do not have the switch then you should be equipped with active brake control.
Misfire on coils 4,5,6 after I replaced all coils and spark plugs
Hi there. When you have a misfire that happens after replacing ignition components, it's usually due to the spark plug wires or coil packs not being installed correctly or being the wrong parts. It might be a good idea to...

Related articles

A Buyer’s Guide to the 2012 Nissan 370Z
Whether Whether you opt for the roadster or the coupe in the 2012 Nissan 370Z, you will be choosing a machine that will provide outstanding performance and a luxurious interior that you won’t be able to tear yourself away from....
How to Buy a Good Quality Valve Cover Gasket
When When you open the hood of your car to take a look at your engine, you'll find it is kept safe with a valve cover. What keeps this valve cover in place and not moving around is the valve...
How Long Does an Exhaust Manifold Gasket Last?
Your Your exhaust manifold requires a seal between the cylinder head and the exhaust manifold. This seal is called the exhaust manifold gasket, and is an incredibly hard-working part. The exhaust manifold is where all the engine cylinders’ burned gasses...