How does a catalytic converter work?

Owners of used vehicles know well that a catalytic converter is one of the spare parts to be replaced after a run of 90,000–120,000 miles. Often it is required to replace the converter for vehicles brought from Europe and the USA.

You can sell an out-of-service converter on AutoCatalystMarket in UK. This is a platform that provides such services and buying out spare parts at a high price, pre-estimating the cost of the part with special equipment.

Why does the converter get out of service?

The catalytic converter fails and is not suitable for further operation in the following cases:

  • high mileage, which causes natural wear and tear;
  • mechanical damage due to impact, or collision with the kerb;
  • usage of low-quality fuel, which caused the honeycomb clogging.

Does my vehicle need a catalytic converter or not?

The main task of the catalytic converter is to purify toxic exhaust and turn it into a harmless one. The converter has a high cost since expensive metals can be found on its ceramic or metal base. A layer of rare, expensive metals decomposes harmful exhaust into H2O, CO2, and other compounds that do not harm the environment.

Removal of a catalytic converter violates emission standards. If you remove the catalytic converter and do not install anything in its place, the vehicle will produce a lot of noise during the operation and the comfort of driving will be compromised.

It is the catalytic converter that makes the gas temperature decrease, thus contributing to an extension of the service life of the exhaust system and its elements. So, the exhaust system will quickly become unusable without the catalytic converter being installed in a vehicle.

Operation principle

The catalytic converter reduces engine power because, in addition to purifying, it also creates exhaust resistance. The oxygen sensor constantly monitors the fuel quality adjusting its consumption, and here the priority is compliance with environmental standards rather than engine power.

For the catalytic converter to work efficiently, the fuel mixture must be of high quality. Furthermore, the gas post-combustion without residue requires more fuel consumption, thus, more fuel will be used.

Improper operation and poor quality fuel clog the converter cells. Carbon deposits form on the honeycomb and block the exhaust emission, which causes uneven operation of the engine since its power decreases.

It is impossible to remove the converter without consequences. The operation of this element is controlled by the program in the electronic control module. If the neutralizer is removed, it will be necessary to reflash the engine ECM by changing the program so that the ECM does not generate a signal to turn on the engine emergency operation. In some cases, removal of the catalytic converter even increases the engine power and reduces fuel consumption. But, it must be remembered that the converter removal will lead to accelerated wear of the exhaust system.

Any work related to the installation/removal of catalytic converters shall be carried out by professional technicians in a car service center, where they provide a guarantee for all services rendered.