Out-of-operation catalytic converter: algorithm of actions
Posted by admin at 12 August 2021, at 09 : 51 AM
Has a technician in a car service center said that the catalytic converter was clogged and needed to be replaced? Vehicle users immediately have the question: what to do with an out-of-operation converter? This part that can no longer be used for its intended purpose still has a certain value. So the user can sell it for scrap and receive a monetary reward. Prices for used catalytic converters from various manufacturers are listed on the Autocatalyst Market platform.
Why does the catalytic converter fail?
The converter may be clogged for the following reasons:
* The small diameter of the honeycomb cells contributes to their early clogging since a short period is sufficient for the cells to be clogged.
If the vehicle runs on low-quality fuel, the converter starts to clog. The fuel, burning out in the exhaust manifold, overheats and melts off the catalytic converter.
* A road surface of poor quality can cause damage to the converter due to mechanical impact (while driving over pits and bumps). Even if one honeycomb is damaged, there is a gradual clogging of all cells.
* The failed converter may be the reason for the malfunction of the exhaust system and the engine. Fuel and oil consumption increases.
Repairing the catalytic converter
The converter clogging can occur gradually. If the vehicle user notices this process at an early stage, it is possible to solve this problem by cleaning the honeycomb from carbon deposits and dirt. There are many cleaning methods, but how effective they are and how long the catalytic converter will operate after the cleaning is another matter.
It is worth trying to clean it if the clogging extent is minor, otherwise, it will be a waste of money and time since this vehicle part cannot be repaired.
If the catalytic converter has failed, there are several options for further action:
* Installing a new, original catalytic converter instead of a failed one is the most expensive, but also the most appropriate solution.
* Installing an inexpensive analog is a lottery since it can serve for a very long time or fail after a few months of operation.
* Removing the converter and replacing it with a flame arrester is the option that requires you to re-flash the vehicle software so that the computer does not initiate an error alert.
How does an engine perform with a clogged converter?
If you continue to use the vehicle with exhaust system malfunctions, the consequences can be bad:
* the content of harmful substances in the exhaust increases;
* the engine power will noticeably decrease;
* fuel consumption will increase;
* there will be problems with starting the engine;
* the vehicle will have difficulties with building up speed.
The most severe result of driving with a failed catalytic converter is engine breakdown. This can happen if you ignore the clogged catalytic converter for a long time and continue to use the vehicle. The inner part of the failed catalytic converter (honeycomb) is damaged and destroyed; solid particles enter the cylinder, which causes cinch marks. Major repairs are required to eliminate these cinch marks, including grinding and honing.
If the catalytic converter fails, this fact should not be ignored. Breakdowns in the exhaust system lead to the destruction of vehicle parts and assemblies, and therefore expensive repairs later.