Exhaust System in College Station, TX

Your vehicle’s exhaust system consists of various pipes, exhaust manifold, catalytic converter, and muffler. Not only are they responsible for making your drive smooth and quiet, but they play a part in handling exhaust fumes and reducing harmful emissions. You can always rely on the experts at Gladney Automotive Solutions in College Station, TX for professional exhaust system service and repairs.

At Gladney Automotive Solutions, we offer a full range of exhaust services, including catalytic converter replacements, at exceptional prices and quality. We have ASE-certified technicians at our shop who are passionate about keeping your vehicle running at peak performance. No matter what kind of car or truck you drive, we use the latest equipment and OEM parts to ensure your emissions system never fails you.

Muffler Repair & Replacement
The muffler is the component that most people associate with exhaust systems. They are at the rear end of your vehicle, and they can rust and develop holes or cracks over time. If you’ve noticed loud engine roars or poor odors, bring your car to our shop for a muffler repair or replacement.

Catalytic Converter Theft. Fast and Professional Replacement

Theft / Stolen Catalyst Converter? We Can Help Fast

If you’re the unfortunate victim of catalytic converter theft near College Station TX, call or text Gladney Automotive Solutions to replace your stolen exhaust parts fast.

The precious metals housed in catalytic converters make all vehicles that have them equipped a target for thieves. Over time, the car’s emission management has evolved and as a result moved the location of the catalytic converter further under the vehicle. This is unfortunately an easy location for thieves to get underneath the vehicle and cut the catalytic converter away.

In recent years, due to the supply chain shortages after the effects of the pandemic, catalytic converter theft has risen dramatically. A recent bust on the US west coast charged 21 people with catalytic converter theft, totaling more than half a billion dollars. With each cat being reportedly valued upwards of $1,000 on the black market.

Catalytic Converters We specialize in saving you money.

Replacing a catalytic converter can be expensive, which is why it’s important to choose a reputable repair shop to replace them. At Gladney Automotive in College Station we have strict procedures to quote and repair catalytic converters for a stress-free easy visit. We also accept theft / damaged or stolen insurance claims and offer fast 5-star service.

Catalytic Converters We specialize in locating Backordered parts fast.

Don’t wait weeks or months for a repair facility to find your catalytic converter. With the local owner Kirk Holland’s unique industry contacts, Gladney is able to source most new catalytic converters in just days for all Brazos Valley clients. With the industry struggling to source new car parts, especially catalytic converters in recent years, it is vital that you choose the correct professional workshop to get your car back on the road as soon as possible.

At Gladney Automotive in College Station, our catalytic converter suppliers are ready and waiting for your order. As the industry bounces back from the effects of the pandemic, more suppliers are entering the market. These suppliers are part of our long list of partnerships we have established over time, and they provide an equivalent or OEM part in no time.

Having the right quality catalytic converter, whether that is from the original supplier or our alternative solution, is essential to getting you back on the road. We at Gladney Automotive in College Station TX pride ourselves in fast turnaround times for our customers.

Gladney Automotive Solutions, Catalytic Converter Experts

At Gladney Automotive Solutions in College Station, we work with the industries top technicians, tools, and equipment to fix all types of exhaust faults, including stolen catalytic converter replacement and repair. If your vehicle is accelerating slower, has poor fuel economy or has a warning light on display, then you have come to the right place!

At Gladney Automotive Solutions in Bryan-College Station we have 5-star customer service and reputation when it comes to exhaust system repair. We professionally repair our customers’ vehicles and make them feel as good as new.

What is a Catalytic Converter?

Engines emit carbon monoxide, nitric oxide, nitrogen dioxide and hydrocarbons. As a central part of the exhaust system, a catalytic converter alters the hazardous exhaust gasses to make them less harmful. With catalytic converters these are turned into carbon dioxide and water vapor via chemical reactions.

The internal structure of a ‘cat’ is formed into a honeycomb shape. This honeycomb structure is coated with a material known as a catalyst. Catalysts are materials or elements that react with the exhaust gasses to change their configuration.

Common materials used within a catalytic converter are palladium, rhodium and platinum which are all precious metals. It is why a vehicle has at least some worth at the end of its life. Before it enters the junkyard, the cat is removed and sold for the metals to be extracted.

History of Catalytic Converters

Catalytic converters have been in existence for well over 100 years. They were first used in French motor cars and contained filters coated with the platinum, iridium, and palladium we are used to seeing in cats today.

The first patent was created by Eugene Hudry after trialing the technology in the 1930’s. Eugene was a Frenchman living in LA and was an early pioneer in reducing harmful emissions from industrial smokestacks, forming a company called Oxy-Catalyst.

The patent was secured in 1956 and involved the use on passenger cars after a successful trial on forklift trucks in warehouses. However it was only later used when Lead was removed from fuel, after which the catalytic converters were allowed to function as they were intended.

Tips for protecting your Catalytic Converter

Despite being somewhat rare, your cat can be victim of theft at any time. Here are a few measures you can take to ensure yours is less vulnerable to theft:

Use a garage when parked at home and make sure it is locked.

When a garage is not available, park your vehicle in a well-lit area with public viewing, or close to a wall or fence.
Inscribe your VIN number on your cat.
Have a local mechanic weld or install anti-theft bolts to your cat to make it hard to remove.

How can I tell if I need a new Catalyst Convertor other than Theft?

They need to be replaced if they are blocked. This usually is a result of oil or coolant getting into your exhaust system. These enter the exhaust after combustion and a blocked cat means there also could be a leaky engine component. Therefore, it is important to get it checked out as soon as possible.

Other signs that you need a new catalytic converter include a check engine light appearing on your dash, a poor MPG and gas mileage, or slow and sluggish acceleration.

A Sulfur or eggy smell coming from the exhaust also signifies that yours needs replacing, as well as generally high temperature exhaust pipes. It may not be the catalytic converter, which is at fault, therefore, to save you potentially thousands, it’s always worth getting a mechanic to check over the entire system and diagnose the problem.

If you experience the signs above then your cat may just need to be cleaned. Head to Gladney auto’s today where our experienced mechanics can give your exhaust system a once over and advise you what to do next for your vehicle.

Importance of having a properly functioning Catalytic Converter

When your car reaches 10 years of age, it is vital that the engine, fuel, and exhaust system operates effectively. The catalytic converter starts to lose its functionality at this age too. Although you may never need to replace your catalytic converter during your vehicle’s lifetime, it is important to know it is functioning optimally for many reasons.

Catalytic converters are less effective when your air and fuel ratio is out of line, during improper engine timing, or when your spark plugs, or oxygen sensors are not functioning.

As a result, the overheating of the exhaust components can melt the honeycomb structure and rendering your catalytic converter a lot less effective. A failed engine gasket, valve seal and damaged pistons can be the culprit of bad catalytic converters too.

With the continued concern of climate change, it is vital that your cat is running optimally. As they ensure that harmful exhaust gasses are reduced, making sure each vehicle on the road complies with emissions standards set by governing bodies.

Is it important to get my faulty Catalytic converter replaced?

In short, yes. Smog tests will detect faulty or missing cats and getting yours replaced will ensure harmful emissions are being converted to less harmful pollutants in your exhaust system.

Having been mandatory since 1981 in the US, catalytic converters change around 90% of hydrocarbons (HC), carbon monoxide (CO) and nitrogen oxides (NOx) from the engine. Turning them into less harmful carbon dioxide (CO2), nitrogen and water vapors in gasoline fueled cars.

Diesel engines are particulate emitters and require additional filters. The use of a particulate filter combined with a catalyst, actually reduces particulate mass by 90% and reduces the number of ultra-fine particles by 99%.

Gladney Automotive. Your local Catalytic Converter replacement experts.

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