How often to catalytic converters die?

[SOUTHBAYeric]

Sorry if this is in the wrong spot. I have a car that wont pass smog because the HC and NO is way over the limit. The car has 150000 miles and the cat may have been replaced but I am not totally sure. Is it a common thing for converters to go bad?

thanks

eric

[FL02]

you might want to do a #smog search. I think there are a bunch of topic on this, maybe.

[steve k.]

in humid envinroment they will die quick. rust from the inside. if your car runs rich, they will die fast too. get nder the car and try to shake the cat. if it rattles, it is probably dead. at 150k mile it probably needs replacement. did you warm up the car prior to the test?

steve k.