Can a car operate normally after removing the catalytic converter?
2 Answers
A car cannot operate normally after removing the catalytic converter. Reasons why it cannot operate normally: Oxygen sensors are installed both before and after the catalytic converter. The oxygen content in the front is higher than that in the rear. After removing the catalytic converter, the oxygen sensor will detect an excessively high oxygen concentration, indicating that the filtration effect has not been achieved. The electronic control unit will then interpret this as the air-fuel mixture being too lean, leading to an increase in fuel injection, which makes the mixture too rich and increases the car's fuel consumption. Catalytic Converter: It is a device used in cars to purify exhaust gases. It enhances the activity of exhaust components, converting some harmful substances in the exhaust into harmless substances that are expelled from the vehicle, thereby reducing atmospheric pollution. Since it does not participate in the reaction itself, it neither gets consumed nor ages. However, it is often damaged during daily use, mainly in three forms: catalytic converter poisoning failure, catalytic converter clogging, and catalytic converter breakage.
My neighbor actually did this, and it turned into a huge mess. The car can still run without the catalytic converter, but the exhaust smells extremely pungent. Driving with the windows down gave him a headache, and he later found out that the gas contains carbon monoxide, which is very harmful to health. Within two weeks, his car's engine warning light came on. At the repair shop, the diagnostic computer showed all the oxygen sensor data was messed up. The mechanic said the ECU defaults to injecting more fuel when it detects poor exhaust flow, and the fuel consumption increased by over 2 liters. The real kicker was during the annual inspection—the emissions levels were three times over the limit, forcing him to spend over a thousand to reinstall the original part. Honestly, it's not worth it just for a slightly louder exhaust note.
