Catalytic Converters – A Valuable Commodity

As outlined in our previous blog article, catalytic converters are valuable commodities; mainly because they contain small amounts of valuable metals such as platinum and rhodium.  In fact, some states of America have seen a recent spike of thefts from certain older models of SUV’s which are easier for the thieves to access because of their wheel height. In this article, we shall be explaining in-depth the main role, lifespan and noticeable signs of when they should be changed.

Reducing or Destroying Gaseous Pollutants

The main role of the exhaust is to decrease pollution output from the vehicle by reducing or destroying gaseous pollutants through a catalyst system. For a diesel engine, the exhaust catalyst converts carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons into carbon dioxide and water (often connected to a particulate filter – DPF). On the other hand, for a petrol engine, the catalyst simply transforms carbon monoxide and nitrogen dioxide into a non-polluting substance. Catalytic converters are effective at high temperatures, they are installed close to the engine in order to heat quickly and reach a good operating temperature.

When to change?

A catalytic converter should be changed every 100,000 to 120,000 kilometres or it will end up with a faulty component that no longer meets industry standards. Indeed, a vehicle with an exhaust catalyst in poor condition can emit seriously high levels of pollution.  Catalytic converters have been installed on all new cars sold in the E.U. since January 1993, they reduce ultra-fine particle emission levels by 99% when maintained and in good order.  Regular engine maintenance can extend a catalyst life, but it should be routinely changed before reaching 120,000 kilometres of use.

Signs of Catalyst failure

Unusual smoke coming out of the silencer, or a metallic noise coming from the exhaust system are possible signs of a faulty catalyst. Exhaust leaks also deteriorate the catalytic converter. If the component clogs, the consequences could be serious for the vehicle since the engine could be damaged as a result. The exhaust catalyst is therefore an important part to inspect. A passage on a pollution bench at a specialist garage makes it possible to check its functionality. This examination is part of tests carried out during the technical inspection every two years, starting from the fourth year of the vehicle’s life.

While maintaining your vehicle takes a little time, planning and effort, it far outweighs putting the safety of yourself and others at risk, emptying your wallet to pay for expensive replacement parts as a result of overdue repairs or having to purchase a new vehicle sooner than you had originally planned. Therefore, order you universal catalytic converter online today from CatMan.