When you notice a sudden louder sound, your engine is losing power or consuming more fuel than usual. These are obvious signs that your catalytic converter is telling you something. Catalytic converters help us in many ways most drivers can’t tell. One of them is cleaning up the harmful exhaust gas before it leaves the tailpipe, resulting in reduced emissions.
Well, in this guide, we’ll explore what a catalytic converter is, how it works, and the common signs it is failing. We’ll also explore its benefits, diagram, and signs it shows when it fails.
Let’s begin!
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What is Catalytics Converter?
A catalytic converter is known as an exhaust emission control device that converts toxic gases and pollutants produced by the engine’s air-fuel mixture in the combustion chamber into less-toxic pollutants using a catalyzing redox reaction. The system is often common in internal combustion engines powered by petrol or diesel.
The introduction of the catalytic converter started due to the stricter regulation of exhaust emission in the United States environment. This is why carmakers have to comply with the US Environmental Protection Agency and create a two-way oxidation converters combine oxygen with carbon monoxide (CO) and unburned hydrocarbons (HC) to produce carbon dioxide (CO₂) and Water (H₂O).
This is to say, a catalytic converter is a vital part of a vehicle’s exhaust system that helps to lower the number of toxic pollutants emitted into the air. It achieves this by converting hazardous combustion gases into less harmful substances, like water vapor and carbon dioxide.
It exposes the fumes to chemicals and metals inside the converter to prompt chemical reactions that transform the toxic pollutants into less harmless ones
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Main Purpose of Catalytic Converter
The major point of a catalytic converter in an automotive system is to reduce the emission of harmful pollutants from an engine’s exhaust gases. The purpose is to make it more environmentally friendly for humans and animals.
The system is also important for the effectiveness and reliability of maintaining the vehicle performance.
How it Works
Just as we’ve been saying, the catalytic converter serves a crucial role in reducing harmful compounds emitted by an engine. These transform the pollutants into safe gases, such as steam, before they are released into the environment.
This device is usually mounted on the underside of vehicles and resembles a large metallic box with two pipes, an input and an output.
The catalytic converter functions by channeling gases from the engine through the input pipe. It then directs them over a catalyst that initiates a chemical reaction to decompose harmful molecules into less harmful substances. The purified gases then exit through the output pipe, eventually reaching the tailpipe.
Inside the catalytic converter, the catalyst is composed of precious metals like platinum, rhodium, or palladium. The gases navigate through a ceramic honeycomb matrix within the housing of the converter. They are then lined with specific metals that assist in emission reduction. There are two types of catalysts used in vehicles:
1. Reduction Catalysts: These are specifically designed to minimize nitrogen oxide pollution by extracting oxygen from nitrogen oxides. It then results in nitrogen and oxygen gases that are not harmful to the environment.
2. Oxidation Catalysts: These types works by converting carbon monoxide into carbon dioxide through the addition of oxygen.
A key component in the working of the catalytic converter is known as the oxygen (O₂) sensor and is situated near the converter. The sensor helps to monitor the oxygen levels in the exhaust gases and communicates this data to the electronic control unit (ECU) of the vehicle.
This feedback is then used by the engine to maintain an efficient air/fuel ratio. It ensures that adequate oxygen is supplied to the catalytic converter to effectively carry out the oxidation process and enhance overall emission reduction.
Diagram
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Symptoms of a Bad Catalytic Converter
The major signs you will notice if your catalytic converter is faulty include declining fuel efficiency, the check engine light, rotten egg smells, engine starting difficulty, poor acceleration, and a failed emission test. Let me further explain:
Declining Fuel Efficiency:
A declining fuel is one of the common signs you will notice if you have a bad catalytic converter. This indicates that the system is clogged, which is why it reduced the amount of airflow through the car engine. As a result of this, your engine starts to burn more fuel than usual, resulting in a noticeable drop in fuel efficiency.
Check Warning Light:
The check engine warning light is another sign you can use to know your catalytic system is faulty. Although this light might signal various issues, this system is one of them. A malfunctioning catalytic converter could cause the air-to-fuel ratio sensor to trigger the check engine warning light to come on.
Rotten Egg Smell:
Internal damage in the catalytic converter can result in a sulfuric rotten egg smell. This is because it is hard for the system to convert the exhaust gases.
Issues Starting the Engine:
The catalytic converter is designed to make the exhaust gases escape. So a clogged catalytic converter can prevent this from happening effectively. This is what results in increased exhaust pressure and causes your car to sputter or even causes your engine to stall when you are about to start driving.
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Poor Acceleration:
Another sign you’ll notice when your car’s catalytic converter is bad is poor acceleration. This is as a result of the exhaust gases finding it difficult to escape. The trapped exhaust and increased pressure from a clogged converter might cause you to have trouble accelerating the car. This issue might also cause jerking and stalling during acceleration.
Failed Emissions Test:
A failed emission test is another common sign you’ll notice when you have a bad catalytic converter. Many states in the US require regular emission testing for vehicles, So you failing yours could mean your system is bad. Failing this test could also be as a result of the above symptoms.
How to Prevent Catalytic Converter Theft
Thieves often find value in catalytic converters because they contain valuable precious metals. This is why it is their major target in your car, but the theft often occurs on vehicles with more ground clearance because it’s easier to access.
However, you can prevent theft from your catalytic system by parking in a well-lighted area close to the building entrance. A secure garage will be more preferable. You can also prevent the system by welding it to the vehicle’s frame. This will make it harder to remove.
Also, you can install a metal cage on the system to keep it locked in place and make it difficult for thieves to remove. You can also install an alarm system or vibration alert sensor to keep your car more secure.
Another thing to do is to engrave your vehicle identification number (VIN) on the catalytic converter. This will make the part harder to sell and can help alert you if your converter is stolen.
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Conclusion
Even though your car catalytic converter is not the flashiest, you can now see how important it is. It reduces the toxic gases every time your engine works, improving and keeping the environment cleaner. You easily spot a bad symptom when you hear a strange smell, your engine performance drops, or you see your check engine light on.
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What do catalytic converters do?
The purpose of a catalytic converter is to use chemical reactions to convert toxic pollutants from a vehicle’s engine into less harmful gases like carbon dioxide, nitrogen, and water vapor.
Can a car run without a catalytic converter?
Yes, a car can run without a catalytic converter, but it is strongly not recommended because it is illegal in most places. It is harmful to the environment and can lead to other issues like engine performance problems and loud noises.
How much does it cost to replace a catalytic converter?
The replacement cost of a catalytic converter can range from $945 to 3,416, but it ultimately depends on vehicle make, model, and converter type.
What happens when the catalytic converter goes bad?
A bad or clogged catalytic converter restricts exhaust flow. While a cracked catalytic converter leaks harmful gases into the environment. These faults can negatively affect the engine performance, causing a reduction in acceleration and power.
How to fix a catalytic converter without replacing it?
Follow the step-by-step guide to fix the catalytic converter without replacing it:
Step 1: Diagnosing Catalytic Converter Problems.
Step 2: Use a Catalytic Converter Cleaner.
Step 3: Inspect and Replace Faulty Oxygen Sensors.
Step 4: Physically Clean the Converter.
Step 5: Apply Heat Treatment