What are the symptoms of a faulty three-way catalytic converter?
2 Answers
The symptoms of a faulty three-way catalytic converter: 1. The performance of the three-way catalytic converter begins to deteriorate; 2. After the core of the three-way catalytic converter becomes clogged, the exhaust flow becomes obstructed, leading to higher exhaust backpressure, and exhaust gases may flow back into the engine. The three-way catalytic converter is an external purification device installed in the vehicle's exhaust system, which converts harmful gases such as CO and HC in the vehicle's exhaust into harmless carbon dioxide, water, and nitrogen through oxidation and reduction reactions. The three-way catalytic reactor resembles a muffler, with its exterior made of double-layer stainless steel sheets formed into a cylindrical shape, and insulation material such as asbestos fiber felt placed in the interlayer between the double-layer sheets. Inside, a purifying agent is installed between mesh partitions, with the purifying agent consisting of a carrier and a catalyst.
I once experienced a faulty catalytic converter, and it made driving feel really off. Right after starting the car, the yellow check engine light on the dashboard stayed on without turning off. While driving, the exhaust pipe emitted a foul rotten egg smell that was unbearable. The car's acceleration felt sluggish, and even when flooring the gas pedal to overtake, the response was delayed. Fuel consumption also jumped from the usual 9 liters to 12 liters, making the gas expenses painful. After a friend's reminder, I went to the repair shop, and the mechanic said the catalytic converter was clogged and needed replacement. Fixing this is expensive—a new set costs several thousand yuan. I suggest car owners watch out for these signs: warning light, strange odor, weak power, and high fuel consumption. Address the issue early to avoid affecting engine lifespan and for environmental reasons.
