no risks except that it might be illegal not to have one
If the converter is clogged it must be replaced. You cannot unclog it either on or off the vehicle.
This would probably be the catylitic converter being clogged up with whatever it gets clogged up with. If you know a mechanic you could probably have him cut the catylitic converter off and weld in a straight pipe as a bypass unless you want to pay for a new converter which is sopme $$$ seeing as the active component in it is made from platinum hence all the monkeys stealing the converters and selling them at scrap yards.
A Catalytic Converter can fail if it becomes clogged or poisoned but there is no way of knowing when it is clogged. Replace your Catalytic Converter when it starts to malfunction.
The answer is yes, it can.
Yes, it most certainly can if the converter is clogged.
this is caused by the catalytic converters are clogged .
No, if it is clogged it must be replaced.
Yes, you can do serious damage to the engine if the converter is clogged.
There is only one thing you can do and that is to replace the clogged converter. There is no way to unclog it.
Loss of power, and a converter that gets red hot.
A clogged converter will cause an extreme loss in power, poor mileage, and hard starting. If it is clogged really, really, bad it may cause the engine to not even start.
Most cars won't even run is the converter is clogged. Clogged converters can get very hot, maybe even start fires.