What does a Catalytic Converter do?

A catalytic converter is a vehicle emissions control device that converts toxic pollutants in exhaust gas to less toxic pollutants by catalyzing a redox reaction (oxidation or reduction). Catalytic converters are used in internal combustion engines fueled by either petrol (gasoline) or diesel—including lean burn engines.

A little history

The first widespread introduction of catalytic converters was in the United States automobile market. Manufacturers of 1975 model year cars equipped gasoline-powered vehicles with catalytic converters to comply with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s stricter regulation of exhaust emissions. These “two-way” converters combined carbon monoxide (CO) with unburned hydrocarbons (HC) to produce carbon dioxide (CO2) and water (H2O). In 1981, two-way catalytic converters were rendered obsolete by “three-way” converters that also reduce oxides of nitrogen (NOx); however, two-way converters are still used for lean burn engines. Catalytic converter technology has evolved and gotten much more fuel efficient as well. Old systems required a lot of power to operate, not so much with modern catalyst designs.

How we can help

At AutoMetrics in Yakima, we are Bosch trained to handle the proper diagnosis of your catalyst. There are trouble codes (p0420, p0421, p0430, p0431) that are associated with converters not working efficiently, so they will illuminate a check engine light or service engine soon light. Hey, it might be a little picture of an engine, but they all mean the same thing – the vehicle is not meeting emissions. The second way catalytic converters fail is that they become restrictive and will not allow the engine to breathe. We have the diagnostic back pressure testers to handle these kinds of problems too!

Call Autometrics in Yakima today and have your catalytic converter checked out by the Bosch Pros!