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