Catalyst – remove or leave?

If your car got loud while driving, and when you press the gas pedal, you hear metallic sound from around the exhaust system, it may mean the end of catalyst life.

WHAT ANY CATALYST HAS ANSWERED AND WHAT HIM DOES IT HARM?

Katalizatorma affects whether your car will meet the standards of exhaust purity. In modern cars, it appeared when standards regarding the composition of exhaust gases were tightened. Its task is to remove the toxic particles contained in the exhaust. There may be a ceramic or metal catalyst in your car. Like any part in the car, it can be worn or damaged. It is sensitive to driving on short distances or for a wrongly adjusted LPG installation. The catalyst also harms the fuel that molecules can get to it. This happens when the ignition system of your car fails. Identical bad effects can be given several times by attempting to launch the car into the hall. Then the fuel in it can ignite. A broken turbocharger through which oil enters the exhaust system can also contribute to damage. The burnt oil causes damage to the catalyst cartridge by raising the exhaust gas temperature. The catalyst theory can not be removed. This is an element of vehicle approval. Nevertheless, if our bike is in good condition and the test at the diagnostic station does not show anything bad, then there is nothing to worry about.

HOW TO RECOGNIZE THAT SOMETHING IS wrong?

Break the catalyst, we can also go through inequalities. The cartridge then crumbles and makes the exhaust not as free as before, and the performance of the car is falling. First, we need to diagnose the fault. If it is a crumbled cartridge, it must be removed as soon as possible so that the ceramic pieces do not destroy other elements of the exhaust system. It may also be unfortunate that the catalyst was stolen. For thieves, this is a tasty morsel, for the contribution they can receive at least a few hundred zlotys. We have several options with what’s next.

WHAT TO REPLAY WHEN IT IS SUCCESSFUL?

Of course, we can buy an original catalyst, but it usually costs incommensurately to the value of the car and rarely anyone decides to do so. It is true that such a catalyst probably meets all the emission standards, but in the case of the factory, they are very high and met in exaggerated. You can use a universal catalyst that will be welded in place of the old one. Some workshops produce catalysts themselves and will gladly choose the right one for your car. With such a catalyst you will certainly not have problems with the obligatory technical review. It also costs much less than the original one. Another option is to cut out the catalyst and to weld a through-tube in its place. This solution, known as downpipe, is used especially well in turbocharged engines. There, it can give the effect not only to improve the sound, but also to increase the power of the engine. For the purpose of technical inspections, some people install such a pipe similar to the original exhaust, reducing the risk of irregularities during the technical inspection. Well, if you choose this option, you will choose a stainless steel pipe. It will be a bit more expensive, but durability will increase significantly. An interesting way to spoil the catalyst is to use a sports catalyst. If the engine is efficient, then with this catalyst it will also meet the standards of exhaust purity, and additionally you can gain on improving the sound of the exhaust and gently higher power. You can buy such a catalyst or have it done by a specialist exhaust company.

DELETE OR LEAVE?

Ask yourself whether to remove the catalyst and replace it with a regular pipe, or replace it with a new one, you must answer yourself. Both solutions have their pros and cons. The new catalyst is probably safer – you will not have to worry about going to the diagnostic station for a new stamp. With a sport catalyst or with a regular pipe, this risk exists. Both, however, will fulfill the role to which they were created