The main element of a catalyst is made in a form of a massive ceramic or metal block with small honeycombs, on walls of which precious metals are applied: an alloy of iridium and platinum, as well as rhodium and palladium. When touching chemically active surfaces, harmful compounds are burned and removed from the exhaust pipe in the form of harmless N2 and CO2.Platinum and palladium act as oxidants in a catalyst and greatly accelerate the combustion of hydrocarbons. The active element is placed in a metal casing and provided with a layer of thermal insulation.
Catalyst not only traps and neutralizes harmful compounds but also directly affects the operation of an engine. Signals from sensors located at the input and output of a converters unlimited are constantly read by the “brains” of a car and help to optimize working mixture in the best way. It is better to know in advance all possible reasons for a malfunction to avoid engine and vehicle damage.
converters unlimited malfunction symptoms
The service life of an expensive catalyst is usually about the same as the service life of the entire car, but it often breaks down much faster than it should be and can pull the engine with it. It is important to remember that a catalyst does not fail for no reason. Its breakdown is a sign of improper operation of the ignition system, incomplete combustion of a mixture in cylinders, severe engine wear, or prolonged use of low-quality fuel.
You can understand that your converters unlimited is being scrapped by several characteristic symptoms:
– the decrease in motor performance;
The most common symptom of a converters unlimited failure is a severe decrease in engine power. The car starts to lose momentum and accelerates poorly. Engine runs unstable, overheats, and stops. This happens when the throughput of aconverters unlimited is greatly reduced: the honeycomb is destroyed, melted and sintered, clogging the hole and interfering with the free passage of exhaust gases.
At the initial stage of such converters unlimited malfunction, the car will accelerate to a relatively low speed, the engine starts hard, and then “suffocate” and stall. Fuel efficiency also deteriorates markedly. Also, during a cold start, a strong unpleasant odor appears.