Your Catalytic Converter Isn't Dying- You're Killing it. Find out how now

Many catalytic converters don't simply die; they're killed. Of course, to understand how this happens, you first need to know how this car part works. While it may look simple, it is an important part of the complex exhaust system in your Peugeot because it is responsible for converting the exhaust created by the car into compounds that are safe for you and your passengers.

Catalytic converters actually have a place in history as well. In the early 1970's, countries around the world began to realise that the leaded petrol being used was actually contaminating a catalyst inside the catalytic converter, preventing it from being useful and leading to clogs. Since then, most countries have phased out the use of leaded petrol, and the unleaded version now contains additives to help keep car parts lasting longer.

Let's take a look, though, at how these important Peugeot parts work.

 

In Your Catalytic Converter

When the exhaust gausses from the engine pass through your catalytic converter, they are taken through the muffler or pre-converter. In most cases, both car parts are able to do their job efficiently and will last a lifetime without having to worry about plugs or clogs.

The interior of the catalytic converter is a series of passageways and tiny beads coated with catalysts. It looks very similar to a honeycomb, and when the gausses pass through the part, they can take a variety of passages so there is plenty of surface area. When they pass over the catalyst-coated ceramic beads, a chemical reaction occurs. This makes the pollutants in the gas safer.

 

The catalysts are:

 

• Oxidation Catalysts- Platinum and palladium metals are used in very small amounts in the catalytic converter. These small amounts keep the price down, but still allow the metals to do their job by converting hydrocarbons in the unburned petrol and carbon monoxide to water and carbon dioxide.

 

• Reduction Catalysts- Rhodium and palladium metals are used at well (in small amounts,) to convert nitrogen oxide to oxygen and nitrogen. Nitrogen oxide is one of the main contributors to smog, so these catalysts to an important job to control and reduce emissions.

 

How Converters Fail

Now that you know a little more about how these Peugeot parts work, let's talk about they can fail. Catalytic converters generally die for two reasons:

 

• They have become clogged (or plugged)

 

• They have been poisoned

 

The problem is, inspecting a catalytic converter and determining if there is a clog is difficult. There's no type of inspection port for you to see this. Most often, if you're going to determine if a clog has occurred, the catalytic converter will need to be removed and the engine will have to be tested to see how it is performing.

You may notice signs that this part is failing, however, if you pay close attention to your car. For instance, you might notice that your fuel mileage has dropped significantly, which can be a sign of a clogged converter. Converters that are partially clogged will act as if they are governors over the engine, only allow the RPMs to go as high as a fast idle. You may also notice that your engine quits after a few moments of running; this is often due to the amount of back pressure created by the clogged exhaust.

 

So How is This Your Fault?

Did you know that a study was performed in the United States and found that more than 60% of new catalytic converters that were replaced in vehicles ended up failing their emissions tests six months later?

While it might seem impossible for a brand new catalytic converter to go so bad so fast, it really isn't. Why? Because these car parts often die at the hands of their owners, simply because we're too busy to take the time to provide our car with proper maintenance. As a result, when we replace catalytic converters, we're simply masking the real problem.

So, what is the real problem? When you first purchased your Peugeot, it was new and ready to go. You really didn't need your converter to run 'clean' except when you were warming up the car or it was under a load that was heavy. As time wore on, though, certain other engine-related car parts, like the spark plugs and wires, coils, fuel and air filters, and oxygen sensors, became dirty with carbon. If you didn't take the time to inspect these car parts efficiently and replace them when they needed to be replaced, the engine would run poorly and produce  higher emissions.

This can be tough on the catalytic converter, and many car owners have killed these car parts by simply replacing them when fuel mileage is down and the engine is running poorly instead of correctly diagnosing the problem. As a result, every new catalytic converter faces the same fate.

In order to keep your converter healthy and working, it's important to take these steps:

 

• Before replacing the catalytic converter in your vehicle, check other engine car parts. Something as simple as a bad coil could be causing all of your problems, and replacing the converter won't fix it.

 

• When using additives, make sure the mixtures don't affect the temperature of the exhaust gausses. Catalytic converters rely on the right mixture of gausses at the proper temperature. When this is thrown off, the life expectancy of the converter decreases.

 

• Never use leaded petrol. While most countries have phased it out, it is still present in some areas. Leaded fuel can quickly inhibit your car, and shouldn't be used.

 

• Check for bad spark plugs first before you replace the catalytic converter. The converter may still need to be replaced, but these plugs could quickly cause unburned fuel to become too hot and overheat the catalytic converter. They should be replaced first to avoid having to purchase another catalytic converter later on.

 

Are you keeping your catalytic converter safe? This Peugeot part plays an important role in your car's performance. Take the time to keep up with your maintenance and ensure it is functioning properly at all times.