What to Do When the Oxygen Storage Capacity of the Three-Way Catalytic Converter Ages and Emissions Exceed Limits?

[AngelinaAnn]

Visit a professional repair shop for cleaning. If that doesn't work, the only solution is to replace the three-way catalytic converter. The aging of the oxygen storage capacity in the three-way catalytic converter indicates its failure, preventing the incomplete oxides from undergoing chemical reactions with oxygen inside it to form complete oxides. The consequence is non-compliant emissions and inaccurate fuel injection calibration. Below is additional information: 1. Three-Way Catalytic Converter: The three-way catalytic converter is the most important external purification device installed in a vehicle's exhaust system. It converts harmful gases such as CO (carbon monoxide), HC (hydrocarbons), and NOx (nitrogen oxides) emitted from vehicle exhaust into harmless carbon dioxide, water, and nitrogen through oxidation and reduction reactions. Because this catalytic converter can simultaneously transform the three main harmful substances in exhaust gases into harmless substances, it is called 'three-way.' 2. Working Principle: When high-temperature vehicle exhaust passes through the purification device, the purifying agents in the three-way catalytic converter enhance the activity of CO, HC, and NOx, promoting specific oxidation-reduction chemical reactions. CO oxidizes at high temperatures into colorless, non-toxic carbon dioxide gas; HC compounds oxidize at high temperatures into water (H2O) and carbon dioxide; and NOx is reduced into nitrogen and oxygen. These three harmful gases are transformed into harmless gases, thereby purifying the vehicle exhaust.