Automotive

How to identify a clogged catalytic converter?

If you do not take into account any extreme or frankly destructive operating conditions, the neutralizer is designed for a service life of at least 200-300 thousand kilometers. Of course, the figure is averaged, but the part itself is extremely resourceful. Nevertheless, practice always makes adjustments to a harmonious engineering theory. If you removed your old filter, do not rush to throw it away. For example, the Autocatalyst service https://autocatalystmarket.com/en/products/dodge offers users simple tools for assessing the cost of an old spare part and selling it.

Symptoms of clogging

There are several typical signs that the unit is not in order – we will list them below.

Reduced dynamic characteristics

You can often hear the expression that the car is “stupid” or “held by the tail.” Also, a clogged neutralizer is often described as a “strangling engine.” All this indicates a drop in acceleration dynamics and a decrease in engine responsiveness at speed.

Increased fuel consumption

A symptom that goes hand in hand with the one described above. While the car stops adequately responding to accelerator manipulations, fuel consumption also increases.

Changes in exhaust composition

Since this part serves the purpose of maximum “greening” of exhaust gases, if it malfunctions, changes in the chemical composition will also be clearly observed. First of all, any test stand will reveal an increased content of CO and CH (carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons).

“Check engine” on the dashboard

Any control unit of an injection engine can fairly accurately assess the condition of the filter. For this, signals from oxygen sensors (lambda probes) are used, of which there are at least two: before and after the part. The first one evaluates the exhaust gases immediately at the engine outlet, and directly affects the formation of the fuel-air mixture. 

 The second sensor monitors the composition of gases after passing through the neutralizer. In simple terms, by comparing the indicators on the “before/after” principle, the ECU evaluates the efficiency of the filter. If it fails, the driver will receive a notification in the form of a familiar yellow light.

How to determine whether a component is clogged or not without removing it

In addition to the symptoms described above and interpreting the “Check engine” icon using an OBD scanner, it is impossible to accurately assess the condition of the neutralizer without removing it. As is obvious from the design, the part is an integral part of the exhaust tract, screwed (and sometimes welded) to other elements of the system.

If the element can be replaced with a separate part, its condition can be assessed on any “pit” or overpass of the GSK. To do this, it must be removed and inspected against the light, illuminating it with a flashlight from the back side. The cells must be clean, smooth, without crumbled areas and dirt that interferes with the passage of gases.

How and with what to clean the throttle valve and how often it should be done

It is necessary to understand that in any scenario, a change in the lattice structure interferes with the normal exit of gases. In this case, the direct function of the neutralizer is also disrupted: cleaning these same gases to the calculated level of hazardous impurities. Changes in the exhaust composition are recorded by the oxygen sensor (lambda probe) after the element, according to the signal from which the control unit makes adjustments to the mixture composition. 

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