What are the disadvantages of not having a three-way catalytic converter?
4 Answers
Without a three-way catalytic converter, the exhaust efficiency of the engine will be affected, and the vehicle's emissions will severely exceed the standard. When driving on the road, the vehicle may be caught for violations and face penalties such as fines. If the vehicle reaches the annual inspection limit, it will definitely fail the inspection. Below is additional information: 1. Introduction: The three-way catalytic converter is installed between the engine exhaust manifold and the exhaust muffler. It can convert harmful gases such as CO, CH, and NOx produced by engine combustion into harmless carbon dioxide, water, and nitrogen through the oxidation and reduction reactions of the ceramic mesh structure and precious metals inside the three-way catalytic converter. Since this converter can simultaneously transform the three main harmful substances in the exhaust into harmless substances, it is called a three-way catalytic converter. 2. Hazards: When high-temperature vehicle exhaust passes through the three-way catalytic converter, the purifying agents in the converter will enhance the activity of the three harmful gases CO, HC, and NOx, promoting their oxidation-reduction reactions. Among them, CO is oxidized into colorless and non-toxic CO2 at high temperatures; HC is oxidized into H₂O and CO2 at high temperatures; and NOx is reduced into N2 and O2 at high temperatures.
Once I helped my neighbor check his old car and found that he had removed the catalytic converter. The exhaust pipe was completely black with carbon buildup. Without this component, carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxides from the exhaust are directly released into the air, just like a chimney without a purifier. The most troublesome part is that the car's malfunction indicator light kept coming on because the oxygen sensor detected abnormal exhaust emissions and triggered an error. What's even more frustrating is that it couldn't pass the annual inspection. I advised him to quickly reinstall the original part—nowadays, small ads from roadside shops buying used catalytic converters are plastered everywhere, and removing it only causes more trouble.
My buddy who's into car mods removed the catalytic converter for better exhaust sound, but now the tailpipe keeps spewing black soot. He even got pulled over by highway patrol for an emissions check. That device is actually a honeycomb ceramic substrate coated with precious metals like platinum, rhodium, and palladium, converting 90% of harmful gases into water and CO2. Without it, raw exhaust gets dumped straight out, which is terrible for the environment. During inspections, the emissions analyzer shows pollutant levels off the charts - the eco fines end up costing more than a brand-new catalytic converter.
Many car owners feel helpless when they find their catalytic converters stolen during repairs. This component is not just an environmental device, but also affects engine performance. Without it, unstable exhaust backpressure can lead to decreased power and increased fuel consumption. Excessive exhaust manifold temperatures may also damage nearby wiring, making repairs costly and troublesome. Some vehicles enter ECU protection mode after catalytic converter removal, limiting RPM to 3000 and preventing acceleration. It's far more practical to spend around a thousand yuan on aftermarket parts for peace of mind.
