Will a Car's Fuel Consumption Increase Without a Catalytic Converter?
2 Answers
Without a catalytic converter, there is no impact on fuel consumption. Only when the catalytic converter is clogged, causing a loss of engine power, will fuel consumption increase. Below is relevant information about catalytic converters: Main functions of a catalytic converter: The primary role of a catalytic converter is to purify exhaust emissions, mainly targeting hydrocarbons and nitrogen oxides in the exhaust. Causes of catalytic converter clogging: Catalytic converter clogging is primarily due to carbon buildup, also known as carbonization. If the engine burns oil, has incorrect air-fuel mixture, or uses gasoline with excessive lead content, there is a high likelihood of clogging the catalytic converter. The materials in catalytic converters contain many rare metals, which are prone to poisoning and failure. Cleaning the catalytic converter: Catalytic converters can be cleaned using specialized catalytic converter cleaning agents, which can be applied through high-pressure atomized cleaning.
My old car last year had a ridiculously high fuel consumption due to a clogged catalytic converter. When I took it apart, the honeycomb structure was completely blocked. A faulty catalytic converter can indeed increase fuel consumption. The most direct reason is that when exhaust flow is obstructed, the engine's exhaust backpressure rises, forcing an increase in fuel injection to maintain power. I've also encountered situations where sensor data was abnormal—the oxygen sensor gave false readings, causing the ECU to excessively enrich the air-fuel mixture, resulting in over 3 liters more fuel consumption per 100 km in city driving. If you encounter this issue, don’t delay. Severe clogging can also cause sluggish acceleration and even make the exhaust pipe glow red. I eventually solved the problem by replacing it with an aftermarket part.
