Because too old or get damaged
If an engine is not tuned properly and allowed to run continuously, it can damage the cat by overheating and melting the catalyst inside causing an air restriction. The inside of the cat can also break up into pieces causing again an air restriction.
No, the catalytic converter is downstream from the EGR valve so it has no effect on it.
They can become clogged or they can burn out.
There can be a few reasons for a catalytic converter to go bad. One of the causes could be clogs. Other reasons include plugs not working right, and bad exhaust valves.
A bad coil can damage a converter. If the engine is misfiring, it will cause raw fuel to get into the converter and that can cause failure.
There's no possible way to pass inspection with a bad catalytic converter, if if you find out you have a bad catalytic converter during your inspection you have a chance after you after you have replaced the catalytic converter and the inspection no no charge/free!!
Yes. If a coil is bad causing one or more cylinders to not fire, this allows raw unburned fuel to enter the catalytic converter, where it is burned. This can ruin a converter.
the shop I go to said that my 2000 Jetta would not pass the smog check when the catalytic converter went bad.
It is possible but highly unlikely.
Yes, the unburnt fuel from poor timing will enter the converter and slowly destroy it.
A catalytic converter should NEVER go bad unless something causes it such as a RICH or a LEAN condition. What is a "RICH OR A LEAN CONDITION"?
Transmission torque converter or an exhuast catalytic converter?
A bad catalytic converter can cause hard starts if it has become clogged. This produces excessive back pressure in the engine.