To read why acatalytic converterfails , you need to know how it works . The catalytic converter is part of the machine exhaust organisation . It converts harmful compound in fumes into harmless compounds . In a typical passenger car , the catalytic converter , which resembles amufflerin physical body , is between theengineand the muffler . It ’s on the underside of the car , unremarkably underneath the passenger rear end . Maybe you have mat up its warmth through the floor on a long trip .
Catalytic converter have been stock on U.S. automobiles since the mid-1970s . The catalytic converter helped labour the button toward unleadedgasolineas well . Leaded gasoline contaminates the accelerator used inside a catalytic converter , destroy its usefulness and lead to a clogged convertor .
Go to the next page to see what can go wrong with your catalytic converter .
Inside a Catalytic Converter
After the engine exhaust gases pass through the catalytic converter , the gases go through the muffler or mufflers , depending on the make of the automobile . Some fomite expend a pre - convertor as well , to do a similar function . The catalytic convertor generally last the life of the automobile and seldom has a problem with being clogged or plugged during its lifetime .
The interior of the catalytic converter is a honeycomb countersink of passageways or small ceramic beadwork coated with catalysts . A chemic response takes stead to make the pollutants less harmful . There are many passage for the exhaust gas to flow , to allow for the maximum amount of surface area for the red-hot accelerator to run .
The catalyst include :
Many states and localities have legislate annual automobile emission examination that checks the actual emission content . The exhaust emission trial run check-out procedure for the absence of a converter or a malfunctioning one during an inspection . It ’s illegal in some states and vicinity to remove a manufacturing plant - put in catalytic converter . A mechanic can sometimes temporarily take away it and supplant the catalytic convertor with a test pipe , but the rules on this can vary from situation to place .
So how do you know for sure if your catalytic converter has conk out ? Get the answer on the next page .
Causes of Catalytic Converter Failure
There are two ways a convertor can fail :
There really is no " review port " for the consumer or shop mechanic to see an actual clog in a converter . Often , the only agency to tell if a catalytic converter is malfunctioning ( plugged ) is to take out it and check the change in locomotive engine operation . When a clogged converter is suspected , some mechanics temporarily remove theO2 sensorfrom the exhaust system pipe ahead of the catalytic convertor and look for a change in performance .
A catalytic convertor swear on meet the proper mix of exhaust fumes gases at the proper temperature . Any additive or malfunction that cause the mix or the temperature of the exhaust gases to change reduce the effectivity and lifespan of the catalytic convertor . Leaded gasolene and the over - use of sure fuel additives can expurgate the life of a catalytic converter .
A catalytic converter can also fail because of :
Sometimes you may severalize that a converter is clogged because you do n’t go any faster when you campaign the gas pedal . Also , there unremarkably is a noticeable fall ingas mileageassociated with a choked catalytic converter . A partially clogged converter often play like an locomotive governor , limiting the existent RPMs to a dissolute idle . A wholly clogged converter causes the locomotive engine to quit after a few minutes because of all the increase fumes back pressure .
The catalytic converter , like the rest of the emissions arrangement , typically has a warrantee length that exceeds the term of the warranty for the rest of a distinctive U.S. automobile .
Here is a safety admonisher : Do notpark your carover tall pasturage or piles of dry folio . Your car ’s perfectly running catalytic convertor get very hot – enough to startfires ! you may keep it running well by keeping theignition systemin top shape , to forbid any unburnt fuel from entering the catalytic converter .
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