The average life of the catalytic converter is 150,000 km of mileage, but taking into account a number of adverse factors and the quality of the part itself, this figure may be smaller.
The deteriorated catalytic converter should be carefully removed and a new one put in its place or another solution should be found. The old part is worth trying to sell with the help of the website https://autocatalystmarket.com/gb/en. Here you can always see the real price for a specific type of catalytic converter, and find contacts of buyers in the desired region.
How it is possible to save a clogged catalytic converter
To correctly assess the current condition of the catalytic converter, it must first be diagnosed. According to its results the decision on further actions is made.
It is necessary to understand that the neutralizer cannot be repaired. It is acceptable to try to clean it from contaminants by washing it with a special cleaner. This is possible only if the part has no mechanical damage.
Also, some drivers practice beating out the honeycomb from the catalytic converter. This is a very risky method, since it is possible that the particles may get into the engine cylinders.
If the part is damaged or seriously deteriorated, you should think about replacing it or removing it.
What to do if the catalyst could not be saved
The following ways of solutions are considered to be working:
- Remove the old catalytic converter by connecting all parts of the exhaust system directly. But it is not of much use, because after about 20,000 km of mileage you will have to replace the entire key elements of the exhaust system.
- Replacement with a new original catalytic converter. This is the most expensive way. From the position of car manufacturers, it is also the most reliable. But if you consider the fact that there are enough fakes and defects in the domestic car market, the expenses are not always justified by the result.
- Replacement with a universal catalytic converter. The part will cost many times cheaper than the original, but the quality of work and service life are not inferior.
- Installation of an analogue of the catalytic converter — a flame arrestor. This involves the removal of the old original part. It will be cheap and will last a long time. However, it is worth taking care of the installation of the oxygen sensor dummy.
In the latter case, if you remove the original part, the onboard computer will start reporting an error and will not allow the car to operate normally. To bypass the ECU, it is necessary to use dummies, which correct the data about the real state of the neutralizer, allowing the engine system to work normally. In addition, it may be necessary to re-flash the onboard computer.
It is also worth considering the fact that the installation of a flame arrestor can create problems when crossing the borders of European countries, where compliance with environmental standards is under strict control of traffic inspectors. Therefore, when choosing a solution, it is worth weighing the advantages, the economic benefits and the possible consequences.
