Catalytic converters have been in vogue in the automotive industry for years, especially in the repair sector. There are several reasons for this. For years, gangs have specialised in stealing them on a massive scale because the metals and materials from which they are made are particularly valuable. But now, in the midst of the raw materials crisis, they are also in the news because of the shortage of materials such as palladium that are needed to make them.
On the first point, workshops are used to working with this component in the form of substitution. Or, rather, installing it from scratch, as vehicles may arrive without this stolen component. However, in the latter case, and in the event of a lack of spare parts or late delivery of catalytic converters, they are forced to repair them.
It should be noted that the main function of catalytic converters is to convert harmful emissions from internal combustion engines, such as carbon monoxide and various nitric oxides, into less toxic gases such as carbon dioxide and water vapour through chemical reactions. Their importance is therefore related not only to the vehicle’s ability to pass MOT tests, but also to the emission of particulate pollutants. In addition, the number of catalytic converters used on each vehicle varies according to the type of vehicle and the number of exhaust pipes available.
Catalytic converters have a service life of around 10 years, although they can deteriorate or become less effective for a variety of reasons, such as inefficient air/fuel mixture, faulty spark plugs and oxygen sensors, or incorrect engine timing. In most of these cases, the catalysts overheat and the internal honeycomb structure melts, reducing their operating efficiency.
Catalytic converters can also become partially or completely blocked due to antifreeze or oil leaks caused by a blown cylinder head gasket, damaged valve seals or worn pistons. And in most cases, the signs of a catalytic converter problem are a lack of acceleration, high fuel consumption, metallic noises, an illuminated engine warning light, or exhaust fumes with a rotten egg smell.
If you notice any of these symptoms, we recommend that you take your car to a reliable workshop where the professionals can check, repair, clean or replace the catalytic converter, depending on the case. Although replacing old units with new ones is the usual form of repair, if a catalytic converter is not physically damaged, it is possible to restore its effectiveness by cleaning it.
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