What are the effects of not having a three-way catalytic converter on a car
3 Answers
It has no effect on the car, but it has a very significant impact on the environment. If the three-way catalytic converter is damaged, the car will emit a large amount of harmful gases, and may even cause harmful gases to enter the car, affecting the health of the occupants. If the three-way catalytic converter is not repaired in time, it may cause the vehicle to fail the annual inspection, resulting in fines, vehicle impoundment, and other situations. The three-way catalytic converter is the most important external purification device installed in the vehicle's exhaust system. It can convert harmful gases such as CO, HC, and NOx emitted from the vehicle's exhaust into harmless carbon dioxide, water, and nitrogen through oxidation and reduction. The following are the effects of a damaged three-way catalytic converter on the car: 1. Symptoms of a damaged three-way catalytic converter: Shortly after the vehicle is started, the exhaust manifold emits a noticeable red burning phenomenon to the three-way catalytic converter, and a hissing sound of air leakage and gurgling can be heard when accelerating. 2. Consequences: If the three-way catalytic converter is damaged, the secondary oxygen sensor will not be able to accurately provide data to the driving computer. As a result, the concentration of the air-fuel mixture will become too lean or too rich. If it is too lean, it will cause difficulties in ignition, weak driving, and engine misfires. If it is too rich, it will increase fuel consumption, incomplete combustion, and severe carbon deposits in the cylinders and spark plugs. When this fault occurs, the engine fault light should illuminate.
Removing the catalytic converter has significant impacts on the car, especially being disastrous for the environment. This component in the exhaust pipe converts harmful gases into harmless ones. Without it, the vehicle emits more carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxides, severely polluting the air and being unfriendly to health. I've seen many complaints on forums about its absence causing the engine warning light to stay on constantly, as the oxygen sensor readings become inaccurate and the computer control goes haywire. Driving might feel stable in terms of power, but in the long run, it increases pollution risks and violates environmental regulations. It's advisable not to remove it for minor performance gains—protect the planet more. It's best to have the exhaust system checked by a professional repair shop.
I had a car whose catalytic converter broke down before, but I ignored it. The engine light kept flashing yellow while driving, with no obvious change in power, but the engine shook a bit when driving on the highway. The mechanic at the repair shop said this would increase pollution, slightly reduce fuel efficiency, and cause the car to fail the annual inspection, resulting in a fine. The O2 sensor kept giving false alarms, and fixing it cost me several hundred dollars. Although some people think removing it makes the car sound cooler, the risks are too high and not worth it. As a car owner, my experience tells me it's safer not to mess with it.
