Will the check engine light come on if the catalytic converter is stolen?
1 Answers
The check engine light will come on if the catalytic converter is stolen. This is because the absence of a catalytic converter will cause the vehicle to fail to meet emission standards, triggering the check engine light. Below are precautions for using a catalytic converter. Avoid using leaded gasoline: Vehicles equipped with catalytic converters must not use leaded gasoline. When leaded gasoline is burned, lead particles are carried with the exhaust gases and pass through the catalytic converter. These particles can coat the surface of the catalyst, reducing its effective area and thus lowering the converter's efficiency, leading to lead poisoning of the catalytic converter. Avoid unburned gases entering: Prevent unburned fuel mixture from entering the catalytic converter. The catalytic converter begins to function at around 200 degrees Celsius, with its optimal operating temperature ranging between 400 and 800 degrees Celsius. However, if the temperature exceeds 1000 degrees Celsius, the precious metal components of the catalyst will undergo chemical changes, reducing the effective catalyst content and weakening its catalytic performance.