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United Tire and Service News

What is a Catalytic Converter?

4/26/2021 8:11:00 PM | (1470) View Count | Return
exhaust pipe A catalytic converter is part of your vehicle’s exhaust system. It uses a catalyst to convert three harmful compounds in car exhaust into harmless compounds. 
  • Hydrocarbons (in the form of unburned gasoline)
  • Carbon Monoxide (formed by the combustion of gasoline)
  • Nitrogen Oxides (created when the heat in the engine forces nitrogen in the air to combine with oxygen)
 
After the engine exhaust gases pass through the catalytic converter, the gases go through the muffler. The inside of the catalytic converter is a honeycomb-like set of passageways or small ceramic beads coated with catalysts. These catalysts include:
  • Oxidation catalysts: Palladium and platinum metals in very small amounts convert the hydrocarbons of unburned gasoline and carbon monoxide to carbon dioxide and water.
  • Reduction catalysts: Palladium and rhodium metals convert the nitrogen oxide to nitrogen and oxygen. 
 
A chemical reaction takes place to make the pollutants less harmful. Carbon monoxide is poison for any air-breathing animal, and nitrogen oxides lead to smog and acid rain. The catalytic converter reduces these two emissions. There are many passages for the exhaust gases to flow, to allow for the maximum amount of surface area for the hot gases to pass. Generally, a catalytic converter will last the lifetime of the vehicle and rarely has a problem with being clogged. 
 
In a typical passenger car, the catalytic converter, which resembles a muffler, sits between the engine and the muffler. The round canister-shaped part connects two pieces of piping in the exhaust and is visible from underneath most vehicles. For your vehicle’s engine to operate, a controlled combustion reaction needs to happen. Getting flashbacks from high school science? Don’t worry, the team at United Tire and Service is highly trained and knowledgeable of all the science that goes behind the building and maintaining a healthy catalytic converter.

How Do You Know If Your Catalytic Converter Has Failed? catalytic converter

For starters, our technicians wouldn't allow your vehicle to pass a state emissions inspection if your catalytic converter does not meet Pennsylvania state requirements. There are two main reasons your catalytic converter would fail the inspection:
  • Your catalytic converter is clogged
  • Your catalytic converter is poisoned
 
Unfortunately, sometimes the only way to be sure if a catalytic converter is malfunctioning is to remove it and check the change in engine performance. If your catalytic converter is clogged, temporary removal of the O2 sensor from the exhaust pipe in front of the catalytic converter helps technicians see a change in performance so they can better diagnose the issue. 
 
The other reason your catalytic converter might be malfunctioning is because...it’s been stolen. Catalytic converters are among the top stolen car part because it contains precious metals like platinum, rhodium, and palladium. You’ll know if your catalytic converter has been stolen right away because you’ll hear a loud rumbling sound as soon as you turn on your engine. In the event of converter theft, you should notify your local police. 

Bring Your Vehicle In For Service

Not sure if your catalytic converter is still functioning properly? Stop by any one of our conveniently located United Tire and Service shops and one of our technicians will happily take a look.

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