The exhaust system filter, the gas neutralizer, does the job of cleaning the gases from impurities that enter the air and pollute the atmosphere.
A lot depends on the condition of the converter: acceleration dynamics, engine performance, fuel consumption. If the converter fails, you can take it to a buy up by calculating the cost on the calculator here https://autocatalystmarket.com/us/en/calculator.
What are the causes of a converter malfunction?
When the converter is clogged, it negatively affects the entire operation of the vehicle. The service life of the part is about 100-130 thousand kilometers of mileage, these are the figures called by the manufacturers. But the converter may stop fulfilling its functions even earlier.
The reasons why the problems appear:
- Low-quality fuel. Low-grade fuel has a much higher percentage of lead impurities, which negatively influence the converter operation.
- Increased oil consumption. Engine or engine system failure results in increased oil consumption. Oil burns in the cylinders and enters the exhaust, which causes destruction of the catalytic converter honeycomb.
- Ignition skipping. Fuel does not burn down completely in the cylinders and its remains get into the exhaust, the filter gets dirty and fails.
- Mechanical failure. The inside of the converter is very fragile. When driving on rough roads, it is possible to damage the converter, which, after impact, will begin to gradually degrade.
A clogged neutralizer is dangerous, because it can provoke engine failure. When the filter is physically destroyed, its particles enter the cylinders.
Do not drive for a long time with a non-working converter, it is necessary to remove it and install a new one. The failed converter is sold to professional companies that recycle automotive parts on an industrial scale.
Conditions of acceptance of catalysts for buying up
Not every converter can be sold for a high price. Some parts have a scrap value because they do not meet requirements.
What kind of used converters are accepted:
- The ceramic part must be separated from the soot filter;
- without the presence of foreign bodies (dirt, sawdust, asbestos);
- moisture level should not exceed 2%;
- integrity of the body.
If the body and the inside of the converter are damaged, the value of the part is halved, as there are considerably less precious metals inside.
The converter should not be worn to a considerable degree, it will negatively affect the condition of the automobile systems and units and the price which will be offered by the buyers for the used converter.
Alternative variants: what to put instead of converter?
At specialized services that work with the car’s exhaust system, there are several options if the converter is no longer working:
- Installing a new original converter is the best option. This is done in European countries where emission standards are controlled.
- The neutralizer can be physically removed and the car’s computer can be re-programmed so that no error is displayed on the dashboard.
- A special sensor, a dummy, is installed instead of the converter. It is inexpensive, but it increases fuel consumption.
The converter which failed can be sold at a good price, giving you the opportunity to buy a new part. To get the best price, you should not trust resellers or random firms. Choose a proven company that has positive feedback. A professional buying company will never make an estimate “by eye,” and will use diagnostic tools and equipment to determine the price of a used part.
