How to determine if a catalyst is clogged: signs

The exhaust system is an integral part of every car. Over the years, it will be improved, and now almost all cars are supplied with a catalyst. What is this element and how to determine if the catalyst is clogged? The symptoms of the malfunction and the device of the element are described later in this article.

Appointment

The full name of the element is a catalytic converter. It serves to reduce the level of emissions of harmful substances into the atmosphere, which get there with exhaust gases.

Where is it used?

This element is used on all diesel and gasoline engines with the norms of "Euro-3" and higher. The catalytic converter is installed immediately after the intake pipe - behind the exhaust manifold.

Device

The element consists of several parts. This is the body, the carrier unit and the thermal insulation. The second is the main element in this "chain". A block made of special ceramics is made, which is not afraid of high temperatures. By its design this part is a set of cells.

They substantially increase the contact area of the ceramic "core" with the exhaust gases. On the surface of these cells there are special substances (catalysts). This is palladium, platinum and rhodium. These elements accelerate the time of chemical reactions. Palladium and platinum belong to a number of oxidative catalysts. Thanks to them, the hydrocarbons contained in the gases are converted into water vapor; Oxides of carbon monoxide - into carbon dioxide. Rhodium is a restorative element. It turns nitric oxide into a harmless nitrogen. Together, all three chemical elements reduce the level of harmful substances in the exhaust gases.

Structurally, the carrier is located in a metal casing. Between these two elements is a layer of thermal insulation. Inside the neutralizer there is also an oxygen sensor. The main condition of the catalytic converter is the high temperature of the gases (about 300 degrees). Heating to this level, rhodium, palladium and platinum can delay up to 90 percent of harmful substances that would have got into the atmosphere.

How to identify a malfunction?

What are the signs of a clogged catalyst? There are several symptoms that make it possible to find out the malfunction of this element:

• The car became hard to wind up.
• Dips appear when moving, which sometimes disappear.
• The "Check engine" light is on.

The reasons for the poor dynamics of overclocking are explained by the low flow capacity of the catalyst.

Sometimes it happens that the car easily speeds up at 150 km / h and then, stopping, barely accelerates to 60. As a result, the performance of the engine decreases dramatically (low level of ventilation of the cylinders). The engine is not able to capture a new portion of air, since the exhaust gases can not normally exit the system - they "get stuck" in the combustion chamber.

Why is this happening?

If you have a clogged catalyst, signs (diesel or gasoline - it does not matter), its malfunction may consist in a large fume gas. They contain a certain percentage of the oil (this is natural), but when the engine "eats" a liter for a thousand kilometers, it begins to remain on the cells of the neutralizer. Also, signs of a clogged catalyst are the small diameter of the transmission cells. Because of the high concentration of tar and impurities in the fuel, they are easily clogged in this element.

Note that poor quality of fuel plays an important role in the resource of the catalyst. With frequent use, bad fuel settles in the exhaust manifold, before it has completely burned in the chamber. This can provoke overheating of the catalyst parts. An important role is played by mechanical damage. The slightest blow against the unevenness (the same lying policeman) will cause deformation of the element, because of what it will not function properly. A small crumb that has broken away in the cavity of the catalyst easily clogs the small honeycombs. Thus, the main signs of the clogged catalyst (VAZ-2172 is not an exception) are associated with the inability of the system to normally "release" the exhaust gases, which is why they stagnate in the intake pipe and cylinders. This provokes a large loss of power and increased fuel consumption.

What if the catalyst is clogged? Signs and diagnostics of an element with your own hands

There are three ways to verify it. The first is the most effective one.

This is a test of the catalyst when it is dismantled. It is fixed very simply. For dismantling, it is necessary to take two cap screws or a carabiner key on 13. On the one hand, fix the bolt, and on the other hand - rotate the nut counterclockwise. However, difficulties may arise. Since the neutralizer is located under the bottom (not the cleanest place in the car), its fastening elements can simply rust.

And the standard WD 40 does not help here. Therefore, in half the cases it is necessary to take the Bulgarian in the hands and cut off the bolts. But that is not all. Since the neutralizer is part of the exhaust system, it works at elevated temperatures. Accordingly, its parts (one goes from the receiving tube, the second - to the resonator) simply adhere to the neighboring metal. In this case, only hammers are saved. But this is not the best solution. As we said earlier, the inner part simply deforms from the slightest blows. Cutting the Bulgarian other elements to remove the catalyst - also not an option. Therefore, it turns out that removing this element out is not so simple. Well, if the catalyst is not stuck, with its successful dismantling, we carefully inspect it for clogging - there must be a through gap between the mesh.

The second way

This diagnostic method is performed without mechanical interventions - the catalyst remains in its rightful place. The method involves measuring the pressure in the system. For this, a manometer is screwed into the place of the oxygen sensor (sometimes an adapter is needed) and the readings are measured at different engine speeds.

At 2.5 thousand the normal level is 0.3 kgf / cm ³ . If the value is less than permissible, the gases are not able to exit normally. Because of this, the machine loses power. Diagnostics can also be performed using a motor-tester (the most technologically advanced method today). A pressure sensor is screwed into the cylinder in place of the spark plug. Then, at different revolutions of the crankshaft, the oscillogram is analyzed. Naturally, all this requires the availability of equipment, so the first way is more familiar to our car owners.

Delete an item

If you have a catalyst clogged (we looked at the signs of a malfunction), it must be replaced with a new one.

However, there is a problem - the average cost of new neutralizers is about $ 100. Therefore, car enthusiasts simply remove it from the system by installing a flame arrester or spacer in the form of an ordinary pipe in its place. However, after such actions, the catalyst from the ECU block (brains of the car) must be removed. It is believed that this action will increase the power and throttle response of the car by 5 percent (due to better ventilation of exhaust gases).

So, we have examined why the catalyst is clogged, the signs of a malfunction and the ways to solve it.