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catalytic converter information about the need for replacement

A catalytic converter is a fireproof ceramic or metal cylinder with honeycombs through which exhaust gases, which contain harmful substances: hydrocarbons, nitrogen oxide, carbon monoxide, pass. On the walls of these honeycombs there is a microlayer of catalyst substances: it can be platinum, palladium or rhodium. They speed up chemical processes, and exhaust gases become less toxic after redox reactions with these metals.

Catalysts are installed in the exhaust system of cars with gasoline engines. Particulate filters are most often used to clean diesel engine exhaust gases.

The catalyst reduces the temperature of the gases. At the inlet to the catalyst, the gas temperature is about 730 °F, and at the outlet 500 °F.

The work is determined by the second oxygen sensor, also known as a lambda probe. It is placed after the catalyst, and its task is to determine the level of toxicity of emissions. If you simply remove it, the sensor will record low catalyst efficiency and a Check engine error will appear on the dashboard.

  Symptoms of a faulty catalyst

  • The check engine light on the instrument panel lights up for various reasons.
  • Reduced engine power.
  • Extraneous sounds under the bottom.
  • Unstable gas pressure from the muffler.
  • Exhaust smell.

Replacing the catalyst in a car service

  1. diagnostics are performed to determine the condition of the catalyst using special diagnostic tools.
  2. The car is raised on a lift to provide access to the exhaust part of the car.
  3. Remove the old catalyst from the muffler and other parts.
  4. Installation of a new catalyst.
  5. After installing a new catalyst, the vehicle is checked for exhaust system operation for exhaust gas leaks.

The old catalyst can be sent for disposal or recycling, as it contains expensive metals.

 

"Catalytic converter replacement" fixes "Faulty catalytic"

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Four common causes for a “check engine” light on the vehicle and their related parts.
This fix will help eliminating

Check Engine Light

The yellow check engine light commonly warns that the engine releases more emissions than expected, often due to a catalytic converter failure. This causes engine misfires, poor fuel mileage, low power, and more. But there are alternative common causes for this issue.

The most common causes for the Check Engine light are:

  • Engine misfire: When an engine misfires, it fails to ignite the air-fuel mixture properly, leading to a loss of power and rough running. The onboard diagnostics system detects this issue and triggers the check engine light.
  • Evaporative emission leak: An evaporative emission (EVAP) leak can cause the check engine light to illuminate because it disrupts the vehicle's emissions control system. A leak in the EVAP system, allows fuel vapor to escape, leading to increased emissions. 
  • Loose gas cap: If the gas cap is not properly tightened or is missing, it can allow fuel vapors to leak out, triggering the check engine light.
  • Faulty airflow sensor: The airflow sensor measures the amount of air entering the engine to help the system adjust the fuel injection for a perfect air-fuel mixture. If the sensor fails, it'll cause a bad mixture and trigger the check engine light.
  • Faulty catalyst: The catalytic converter converts harmful gases into less harmful emissions. If the catalyst is faulty, it increases emissions and triggers the check engine light.
  • Lean codes: Lean codes can cause the check engine light to illuminate because they indicate a problem with the air-fuel mixture in the engine. A lean condition occurs when there is too much air and not enough fuel in the air-fuel mixture, leading to incomplete combustion.
  • Faulty variable valve timing (VVT): The VVT system controls the timing of the opening and closing of the engine's valves. If the VVT system is faulty, it may not operate correctly, leading to issues such as rough idle, reduced power, and increased emissions, triggering the check engine light.

Stay alert if the check engine lights up on your car's dashboard. Your vehicle might be under progressive damage and can end up requiring hefty repairs in the future; it'll also show considerable fuel loss. So please, keep track of your car's odd behaviors and browse through our articles to find out the information you'll need to share with your go-to auto shop.

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Four common causes for a reduced engine power warning on the vehicle and their related parts.
This fix will help eliminating

Reduced Engine Power Light

The reduced engine power light appears because the vehicle has limited its power output based on a problem it has detected; this is a designed safety measure. This is caused by issues with the fuel pump or catalytic converter. Alternatively, faulty sensors might be triggering this.

Spot the early warning signs of reduced engine power and take action before symptoms worsen. We recommend you communicate any concerns to a technician for professional assistance.

Our guide will teach you how to watch for any warning signs of engine power issues. Trust us; it's better to catch these things early on before they become big problems. Not only will it save you time and money, but it'll also give you peace of mind on the road.

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Four common causes for the vehicle engine sputtering and their related parts.
This fix will help eliminating

Engine Sputtering

The engine is sputtering because of a faulty fuel pump or mechanical failure, causing the unmeasured fuel pressure to create sputters. But it can also be because of worn spark plugs, faulty sensors, or a damaged ignition coil.

While the unsettling feeling of your engine sputtering might not have to do with engine problems, it indicates something wrong with your car that you shouldn't ignore.

A sputtering engine relates to how your car intakes and burns fuel. If it doesn't burn fuel cleanly and efficiently, your fuel economy suffers, risking expensive repairs to your engine, exhaust system, and catalytic converter. Plus, your car creates excess emissions that damage the environment.

In addition, some issues related to engine sputtering can prevent your car from starting, leaving you stranded and in a dangerous predicament.

The good news is that engine sputtering is easy to recognize and more straightforward to identify when the "check engine" light comes on. If you take your car to a technician before the problem damages the engine, the fix could be as simple as replacing the spark plugs or cleaning the fuel pump. Unfortunately, putting the issue on hold can severely impact your car's fuel efficiency.

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