![]() Measuring the catalytic converter temperature with the infrared thermometer: A working catalytic converter burns off the unburned fuel and oil vapors coming out of the engine. Many shops have borescope cameras that mechanics use to check for blockage visually. If the intake vacuum drops when RPMs increase or if the back pressure measured at the air/fuel ratio sensor opening is more than 2.5 psi at 2,000 RPMs, the exhaust is restricted or the catalytic converter is plugged up. Testing the catalytic converter for clogging up: Mechanics test the intake vacuum or measure the exhaust back pressure through the air/fuel ratio sensor opening to confirm a clogged-up catalytic converter. ![]() Read more in this article: Code P0420 Catalyst Efficiency Below Threshold (Bank 1). If the signal from the rear O2 sensor closely repeats the signal from the air/fuel ratio sensor (front O2) like in this image, the catalytic converter is not working properly. Larger image.Ĭompare signals from the pre-cat air/fuel ratio sensor to the post-cat rear O2 sensor. The rear O2 sensor signal (below) repeats the A/F ratio (front O2) signal (above). The EGR valve can also be burned through as a result of a clogged catalytic converter.Ĭatalytic Converter Testing With a scan tool:īad catalytic converter. Often the engine runs hot if the exhaust is restricted. The engine may run normally at idle, but bog down when revved. Symptoms of a clogged-up catalytic converter include a lack of power on acceleration.If something causes the catalytic converter to overheat, you may feel the excessive heat coming from the engine bay or the engine may produce clicking after it's shot down and parts are cooling down.If the catalytic converter has burnt through, the exhaust may sound louder than usual.If the inner ceramic monolith of the catalytic converter has broken apart, you may hear a rattling noise coming from the catalytic converter, like it has loose rocks inside.Smell or unburned fuel from the exhaust like from an old car from the 50s. ![]() Often, there are no driveability issues with these codes. Check Engine light staying on with codes P0420, P0430 or P0421 and P0431.If the catalytic converter has been cut off, some other parts might need to be replaced too, depending where they cut it. Unfortunately, we are seeing a growing trend of catalytic converter thefts. It probably means that the catalytic converter has been stolen. It's when you start your car only to find out that it sounds like a sports car. The catalytic converter has been stolen from this vehicle. If your car has one of these codes, check with your dealer or do some research online for service bulletins or campaigns, as for some vehicles, there might be some extended warranty coverage available. We wrote a separate article that explains these codes and provides the information on testing: P0420 - Catalyst Efficiency Below Threshold. All these codes point to the efficiency of the catalytic converter falling below the threshold. The Check Engine light stays on, with further diagnosis revealing trouble codes related to the catalytic converter: P0420, P0430 or P0421 and P0431. How do Three-Way Catalytic Converters Work? Catalytic Converter Problems 1.The catalytic converter is covered by the 8-year 80,000-mile Emission Warranty. Typically it's located under the hood or in the engine compartment.įor example, this sticker from the 2009 Honda Accord, located on the inside of the hood, says that it has WU-TWC and TWC catalytic converters as well as an air/fuel ratio or A/F sensor and a rear O2 sensor, or HO2S. If you want to know about the catalytic converter setup in your vehicle, check the Vehicle Emission Control Information sticker. Vehicle emission control information sticker. Signs of automatic transmission problems. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |