Technical data.

What Is a Catalytic Converter?

The catalytic converter is a device located in the exhaust system of all modern motor vehicles. It is an important device in the exhaust gas de-pollution process, which reduces harmful environmental exhaust emissions of motor vehicle’s combustion cycle by-products.
Its function is to chemically change harmful pollutants that the engine has combusted in the process of its various starting, driving, power and idle conditions.

What Are The Pollutants?

These pollutants include carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, nitrous oxides, etc. A catalytic converter chemically changes these into harmless substances like carbon dioxide, nitrogen and water vapour.

How Are Harmful Exhaust Pollutants Eliminated?

The catalytic converter uses an inside structure called a substrate. This is a ceramic or stainless steel monolith block that is covered with precious metals such as platinum, palladium and rhodium. The monolithic block consists of many fine channels, which are covered by a coarse washcoat above which the catalytically effective precious metal layer is placed. It is these elements, which cause the chemical change.

Catalytic Converter Longevity In Service

For a catalytic converter to last in normal vehicle service operation, it is essential the engine, its ignition system, fuel system, and emission devices must all operate within manufacturer specifications properly, consistently, efficiently and correctly at all times.

If the catalytic converter you replaced or are about to replace was damaged or destroyed by the melting of the ceramic monolithic structure or the metallic substrate, it means that excessive amounts of liquid fuel particles reached the catalytic converter substrate. When this occurs, it raises temperatures, causing the substrate to exceed its fusion point of around 1,500 degrees Fahrenheit, thus harming the substrate.

In such instances, THE INSTALLER MUST FIRST LOCATE AND CORRECT THE CAUSE OF THE MONOLITHIC OR SUBSTRATE MELTING AND IN PARTICULAR ENSURE THAT ALL THE ENGINE, IGNITION, FUEL AND EMISSION SYSTEM/S AND OR DEVICES ARE OPERATING correctly before replacing or renewing the catalytic converter.