Choked catalyst: symptoms, remedies and recommendations

The catalyst in a modern car is an important part of the exhaust system. This element solves two problems. This is cleaning the exhaust gases before they enter the atmosphere, as well as reducing the resistance to their exit. The catalyst depends on the power that the engine will produce. If suddenly the car can not go as fast as before, or fuel consumption has increased, then the problem is like a clogged catalyst. These symptoms can also be caused by other malfunctions, but most often they are associated with the catalyst. Consider other signs of contamination of the element, as well as ways to solve problems.

The main signs of the element failure

Drivers, even with little experience without any problems, will be able to determine that there are faults in the exhaust system. If the exhaust fumes do not pass through the system, it will inevitably affect the behavior of the car and the sounds of the engine.

Power loss

The car will be very difficult to gain speed. This problem will only be felt for a while. This period depends on how badly the catalyst is dirty and whether it is good. Symptoms of a clogged catalyst are slow acceleration at low gears. If you switch to a higher one, the motor will operate in its normal mode. Also, when driving, the driver may feel that there is a very heavy load in the trunk, which does not allow enough acceleration.

Chek Engine

This is also one of the symptoms that can point to the catalyst. For example, if the part is heavily clogged, then the ECU will light the lamp. The driver should check the malfunction. If the car is equipped with an on-board computer, then it will display an error message: "Choked catalyst". The symptoms at the same time are the loss of power, problems with the efficiency of the engine. This is reported by error P0420.

High fuel consumption

Due to excessive contamination of the catalyst, fuel consumption can be significantly increased. It is worth paying attention to the fact that the expense will report problems in the exhaust system only if there are other symptoms of the clogged catalyst - power loss and slow speed dialing.

Why the element fails

The car neutralizer can not fail just by itself. If there are problems with this part or the engine does not want to gain momentum and has lost its power, this indicates that the system has a deformed or clogged catalyst. These symptoms can occur for some reason.

Low-quality fuel

If the mixture of gasoline and air is not completely burned in the engine cylinders, the combustion is completed in the catalyst or in the exhaust manifold. Then, the main parts of the exhaust system are melted. The combustion products settle in the neutralizer and prevent the gases from passing at the required rate. As a result, the system is simply clogged.

Catalyst of poor quality

Automakers complete cars with high-quality parts and consumables. But if something in the car changed, it's not a fact that the owner was sold quality parts. If the car has a poor-quality or non-original neutralizer, then there is a big risk that the catalyst cells are too small. Due to their insufficient size, they are easily clogged by the combustion products of the fuel. Often, all signs of malfunction and symptoms of a clogged catalyst arise in US cars that were previously operated in the US. In the United States, gasoline sells better gasoline, which leaves a minimum of unburned substances during combustion. Catalysts in such cars with small honeycombs - in Russia they die in the shortest time.

Problems with engine operation

This is another reason. As a result, the owner receives a clogged catalyst. Symptoms of some problems in the engine's operation are invisible, and it's very difficult to say exactly what exactly leads to the growth of fuel combustion products in the exhaust system without serious computer diagnostics. The "brains" of the car are checked and all error codes are read.

Bad roads

If the car is regularly operated on roads of poor quality, then there is a big risk that it can be deformed. It is enough even for a small blow, so that the honeycombs begin to break down or deform. In order not to replace the expensive part, it is better to cross the obstacles, for example, the policemen, more accurately.

Diesel engines

On such power units, there is no catalyst. There instead is a particulate filter, it performs the same task as the catalytic converter in a gasoline engine. Another difference is the price. The diesel particulate filter will cost three times more than the gasoline element. Symptoms of a clogged catalyst on a diesel engine are similar to what owners of gasoline engines can observe. This is a loss of power, the engine refuses to start, an increased fuel consumption.

How to test the catalyst on a car

It is possible to conduct diagnostics of this part on your own, provided that you have the necessary knowledge, skills and equipment. Also check the neutralizer in any service. There are three methods of diagnosis.

Visual method

A simple inspection is assumed here. Problems in the work of this system can be determined by simply looking at it. If the case has various deformations, there is a high probability that the honeycombs are damaged. It is impossible to find out that the catalyst is clogged from the outside. It will have to be dismantled. The problem is the complexity of the dismantling task. It is necessary to drive the car onto a flyover or a pit. In addition, on every car the principle of installing it is your own. Also a common problem is the sticking of the latch, which the neutralizer holds. Therefore, most often dismantling is carried out only for replacement with the help of a Bulgarian. If the part was removed, then it is examined for clearance. If the device is clogged with dirt, it can be cleaned, but it is better to replace it. It must be remembered that such an inspection can not be carried out with neutralizers. Therefore, there are other ways to determine if the catalyst is clogged.

Back pressure test

This method does not require dismantling. The principle of verification is to measure the pressure of the exhaust gases. Then the data is compared with the ideal parameters. To perform the operation, you need a pressure gauge and an adapter to plug it into the system. The car should be installed on a trestle or pit. Next, the first lambda probe is removed, and a manometer is connected instead. It is important to connect it to the system so that everything is as tight as possible.

Further, the motor is turned on and the revolutions are raised to 2500-3000, and the manometer indicators are also fixed. If the pressure is approximately 0.3 kgf / cm ² , then everything is normal with the neutralizer. If 0.35 kgf / cm ² , then (if the motor has not been modified) it is worth paying attention to it. When the level is 0.5 kgf / cm ² and higher - the neutralizer is defective.

Finally

Usually in modern cars, the computer tells the driver itself if the catalyst is clogged. What symptoms will be on cars without a diagnostic system is described above. The best solution to the problem is replacement. But this is very expensive, so many STO offer to install a flame arrester.