What are the consequences of removing the catalytic converter?
2 Answers
Removing the catalytic converter mainly has the following consequences: 1. Increased vehicle exhaust emissions: After removing the catalytic converter, the vehicle's exhaust cannot be effectively purified, leading to excessive emissions. 2. Reduced vehicle power and increased fuel consumption. 3. Failure to meet vehicle exhaust emission standards, resulting in the vehicle failing the annual inspection. Here is some additional information: 1. Installation location and function: The catalytic converter is the most important external purification device installed in the vehicle's exhaust system. It converts harmful gases such as carbon monoxide (CO), hydrocarbons (HC), and nitrogen oxides (NOx) in the vehicle's exhaust into harmless carbon dioxide, water, and nitrogen through oxidation and reduction. 2. Origin of the name: Since this converter can simultaneously convert the three main harmful substances in the exhaust into harmless substances, it is called a three-way catalytic converter.
I've encountered cases where people removed the catalytic converter, resulting in louder exhaust noise but causing a bunch of driving issues. The law mandates this component as essential equipment, prohibiting unauthorized removal. Otherwise, the vehicle will definitely fail the emissions test during annual inspection, directly resulting in disqualification. Police may also issue fines, which can amount to several hundred yuan per violation. Without it, harmful gases like carbon dioxide and nitrogen oxides in the exhaust are released at double the rate, not only polluting the environment but also causing significant long-term damage to human lungs when inhaled. The engine warning light frequently triggers false fault alerts, making repairs both expensive and troublesome. I advise against taking the risk—it's not worth it just for a bit of extra noise.
