For instance, it prevents environmental pollution by converting harmful substances within the exhaust into safer compounds. It is crucial, therefore, to ensure your catalytic converter is working well at all times.
Read on to learn some of the telltale signs that your catalytic converter needs urgent repair or replacement. However, they often overheat, get clogged, damaged, and contaminated causing a decrease in engine performance and eventual shutdown. The potential issues with a catalytic converter include leaded gas contamination, overheating caused by incomplete combustion, or a failure in the oxygen sensor. Any malfunction causing an unusually high level of HC or CO in conjunction with high levels of O2 to enter the converter, will dramatically elevate its temperature.
Potential causes for high HC readings may include:. Catalyst poisoning occurs when the converter is exposed to emissions containing substances that coat the working surfaces, enveloping the catalyst to the point it cannot contact - and treat - the exhaust.
Potential causes for coated or fouled substrate may include:. The primary cause of structural damage is road debris striking the converter. Normally, some evidence of impact is visible on the converter shield. These can include carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, and hydrocarbons, all of which are bad for the environment. The catalytic converter is a device that is part of your exhaust system.
It uses catalysts such as platinum to create a chemical reaction that nullifies these harmful pollutants. Often called just a cat, the catalytic converter is made of three main parts. The Heat Shield — Surrounds the cat to prevent the high temperatures from escaping and causing potentially harmful consequences.
The Shell or Casing — The shell is the main body of the cat and it houses the internal components that perform the chemical reactions. The High Flow Honeycomb Catalyst — Inside the catalytic converter, a honeycomb web of pathways allows the exhaust to make its way through. The walls of these paths are lined with the catalysts that create the chemical reactions that reduce harmful pollutants.
When exhaust enters into the catalytic converter, it passes through the inner honeycomb. Here it will come into contact with catalysts that will ignite the chemical reaction needed to convert the harmful pollutants. Two main types of catalysts will control this reaction; oxidation catalysts and reduction catalysts. To nullify carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons, the oxidation catalysts will convert them to simple carbon dioxide and water. Similarly, the reduction of catalysts will break the nitrogen oxide down into oxygen and nitrogen.
Older style catalytic converters would first remove the nitrogen oxide from a rich fuel mixture. Then, air would be introduced, which would lean out the mixture making it possible to break down the carbon dioxide and hydrocarbons. The catalysts inside the converter will continue to function almost indefinitely. However, physical wear on the exterior as well as damage inside caused by a buildup of oil or engine misfires can cause the catalytic converter to fail. When this happens, you may be able to hear the results.
Once the cat reaches temperature, you may not hear it anymore. Some vehicles do make this type of sound at idle and it may not be something to be alarmed about.
When you hear your catalytic converter rattling, it may be on its last leg. But what is causing it to rattle? Catalytic converter heat shield rattle is a pretty common occurrence that is caused by the heat shield becoming loose.
Often, one or more of the bolts that hold it in place has broken, loosened, or become overly corroded. This allows the heat shield room to move around, causing it to rattle.
It could also become a potential fire hazard if you drive over dry leaves or grass. This can be caused by normal wear over time, or it can be from physical damage such as a direct impact on the catalytic converter. Did everything he could to track down a emissions code, after all recommended to replace a bad PCM. Pedro 22 years of experience.
Request Pedro. Infiniti Q60 V Very professional and honest. Was fortunate to have him be the one to show up. Thank you Pedro! Need Help With Your Car? Related articles. Read more. Related questions p A vehicle with , miles is likely due for a catalytic converter. Most of the time it does mean you need a new catalytic converter. But there are a couple of other things that are prudent to take a look The flex pipe needs to be replaced.
Yes, the entire section of pipe the flex pipe is attached to can be replaced. For the best fit, consider ordering the part from your local dealer. The repair may take some time depending on how much rust has built Secondary air injection Hi There, As you may know, the purpose of the secondary air injection system is to inject more air into the exhaust system at cold start to help light the catalyst material inside the catalytic converter quicker. The reason for
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