How to check the serviceability of the catalyst

How to check the catalyst on a car and determine its malfunction

A car's catalyst is an important part of the exhaust system, which performs two functions: it cleans exhaust gases before being released into the atmosphere and reduces additional resistance to them.

It is located on the bottom of the car between the muffler and exhaust manifold.

The catalyst is installed on both gasoline and diesel engines, that is, it is used in every car with an internal combustion engine.

The car driver must monitor the operation of the catalyst, since engine power depends on it. A dirty or damaged catalyst leads to increased fuel consumption and decreased vehicle dynamics. At the first symptoms, it is necessary to check the catalyst on the car, which can be done independently or at a service center.

Signs of a faulty catalytic converter on a car

A driver, even with little experience, can easily determine the presence of a malfunction in the exhaust system, which is most often associated with the catalyst. If the exhaust gases begin to flow poorly into the exhaust, this will affect the “behavior” of the car and engine as follows:

• The car will begin to have difficulty picking up speed. In this case, the problem is felt up to a certain point, which depends on the degree of contamination or damage to the catalyst. For example, when accelerating along a suburban highway, the car will slowly increase speed in low gears, and when shifting to a higher gear (and accelerating at high speed), it will begin to operate in normal mode. It may feel like there is a heavy load in the back of the car, causing slow acceleration;
• The Check Engine light is on. When the catalytic converter is heavily contaminated, some electronic control units turn on a light requiring an engine check so that the driver understands that there is a malfunction. In this case, an error message P0420 may light up on the on-board computer - a problem with the efficiency of the motor;
• Fuel consumption has increased. Due to a contaminated catalyst, fuel consumption increases. Please note that an increase in consumption indicates a malfunction in the exhaust system only if there is a problem with slow acceleration.

If the catalytic converter is severely damaged or clogged, the engine may not start. Or the engine will start, but after a few seconds of operation it will stall.

Why does the catalyst fail?

As noted above, if there are problems with the catalyst, then it is clogged with dirt or deformed. Most often, the following reasons lead to catalyst failure:

• Use of low quality fuel. If the fuel-air mixture does not have time to completely burn in the combustion chamber, it burns out in the manifold or catalyst. This leads to melting of the exhaust system elements, as a result of which combustion products get stuck in the catalyst, thereby preventing air from passing at the required speed;
• Bad catalyst. If a non-original catalyst is used, then there is a high risk of purchasing a model in which the cells (“honeycombs”) have a small diameter, which is why they quickly become clogged with combustion products. Also, this problem can be observed in cars developed for the American market, where the quality of the fuel is much higher and less combustion products are left behind; catalysts with small “honeycombs” are installed in such cars;
• Engine problems. It is impossible to say unequivocally what leads to an increase in combustion products in the exhaust during engine problems without diagnostics. At the same time, a clogged catalyst is often a symptom of a malfunction in the engine;
• Traveling on bad roads. If you regularly drive carelessly on bad roads, the catalyst may suffer mechanical damage. A blow to the catalyst will lead to the destruction of the honeycomb or its deformation. This problem can also occur after an unsuccessful attempt to overcome an obstacle (curb or speed bump).

Problems with the catalyst can lead to failure of expensive engine components. It is recommended to fix the problem as soon as possible by first diagnosing it.

How to check the catalyst on a car

The driver can diagnose a catalyst malfunction independently, provided he has the proper knowledge and the necessary equipment. Also, almost any car service performs a paid catalyst check. There are 3 main ways to check the catalyst.

Method 1: Visual inspection

The presence of problems in the operation of the catalyst can be determined “by eye”. If the part body is deformed, there is a high chance that the catalyst honeycomb is damaged. In this case, it will not be possible to inspect the device from the outside for clogging with dirt and combustion products; accordingly, you will need to remove the catalyst from the car.

The problem lies in the fact that it is quite difficult to remove the catalyst from the car. This will require a pit or lift since the exhaust system is located on the bottom of the car.

In addition, each car model has its own principle for dismantling the device, which can be found in the technical literature for a specific car.

Another problem is the “sticking” of the catalyst retainer, which is why it is often possible to remove the part only using a grinder.

After removing the catalyst, you need to inspect it for any gaps. A catalyst clogged with dirt can be cleaned or replaced with a new one.

Important: Not on all cars the design of the catalyst allows you to inspect its insides and determine their cleanliness.

Method 2: Back Pressure Test

The most common method of checking the catalyst on a car, which does not require its dismantling. The essence of the back pressure test is that the exhaust pressure of the car is measured, which is then compared with ideal values. To diagnose a car in this way, you will need a pressure gauge and an improvised adapter to connect it.

As in the first method, it is better to lift the car or drive it into a pit. Next, you need to remove the first lambda probe (also known as an oxygen sensor) and connect a pressure gauge in its place. Since you can’t screw it in directly, you need an adapter, which can be a rubber hose.

It is important to connect it in such a way as to create complete tightness. After this, the engine is started and the speed is raised to 2500-3000 per second, maintaining it for 10-15 seconds. During this time, it is necessary to record the pressure gauge readings.

The values ​​are then compared with the following data:

• 0.3 kgf/cm2 – the catalyst is normal;
• 0.35 kgf/cm2 – if the engine has not been modified, the value is increased. For modified engines the indicator is normal;
• 0.5 kgf/cm2 and above - there are obvious problems with the catalyst.

The above are average numbers that can be used as guidelines. Ideally, when diagnosing, it is better to find indications for a specific car model.

Method 3: Diagnostics with a motor tester

A motor tester is a set of equipment that allows you to determine the status of many machine parameters based on an oscillogram. With this method of checking, a diagnostic device is installed instead of a spark plug, after which the engine starts and oscillograms are taken. Based on them, experts draw conclusions about the condition of the car’s catalyst.

By eliminating problems with the catalyst in a timely manner, you can avoid expensive engine repairs and significantly reduce fuel consumption.

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Source: https://okeydrive.ru/kak-proverit-katalizator-na-mashine-samostoyatelno/

How to check the catalyst? (text) — DRIVE2

How to check the catalyst? Isn't it clogged? Especially if there are strong suspicions...

For those in the tank, this is how the catalyst works. And he's damn hot. 400+ degrees

(approx. hereinafter I = a certain author, thanks to him for the text, presumably from here)

I am sure that almost every car enthusiast who has a used car sooner or later thinks about removing the catalyst.

There are several reasons for this, some suggest that the catalyst may fail at the most inopportune moment, others think that, being quite battered by domestic gasoline, it does not allow the engine to “breathe deeply,” others believe that if you remove excess resistance at the exhaust, you can get an increase in engine power, as well as reduce fuel consumption.

But, unfortunately, most car enthusiasts who climbed under the hood with a crowbar are in for a not very pleasant surprise - this is the ECU (engine control unit), this unit will notice that there are no changes in the exhaust gases before and after the catalyst and will generate an error.

But not everything is so bad, it is possible to deceive the block, but you can also reflash it (this method will not be mentioned in this material) - for each case there is its own method (these issues are discussed on automobile forums).

Let's consider the root of evil - the state of "catalyst". Is it worth removing it? Most car enthusiasts are guided by their feelings: the car began to pull poorly, “I’m sure the catalyst is clogged and that’s the reason,” etc.

I won’t try to convince the stubborn, but sensible people will read on.

So, all you need to do is check the condition of the catalyst, and based on its condition, we will draw a conclusion about the need to remove or replace it, but most often they are removed because of their cost.

The question arose, “How to check the catalyst?” The most effective and simple method is to dismantle the catalyst and inspect it.

We remove the catalyst and look at the condition of the honeycombs as a whole; if the honeycombs are clogged, you can check the light for this; a light source is useful for this.

But not everything is as simple as it seems; sometimes, during long-term use, the catalyst mount sticks so strongly that removing the catalyst can turn into a long and exciting task (personally, I unscrewed the two rear nuts for 3 hours, and in the end I had to cut them in half to unscrew them!). The work is extremely inconvenient, because you need to work from below the car.

There are several more ways to check the catalyst, you can measure the exhaust for the content of harmful substances (with a faulty catalyst, the content of harmful substances increases significantly compared to a working catalyst), you can also check the back pressure at the outlet (a sign of a clogged catalyst is increased resistance and, as a result, pressure).

To objectively assess the condition, you need to combine both of these methods.
Checking the catalyst for back pressure

The following describes a method for checking the condition of the catalyst (based on the back pressure created):

To do this, in front of the catalyst you need to weld in sampling fittings for sampling exhaust gases. It is advisable to weld fittings with threads and a channel shape; these fittings are similar to brake pipe fittings. After completing the measurements, plugs are screwed into these fittings.

It is advisable to make the plugs from brass - this will ensure that they can be easily unscrewed during operation. For measurements, you need to screw a brake pipe 400-500 mm long into the fitting, the purpose of which is to dissipate excess heat. We put a rubber hose on the free end of the tube, attach a pressure gauge to the hose, its measurement range should be up to 1 kg/cm3.

It is necessary to ensure that during this procedure the hose does not come into contact with the exhaust system parts.

Back pressure can be measured while the vehicle is accelerating with the throttle fully open. The pressure is determined using a pressure gauge during acceleration, and as the speed increases, all values ​​are recorded. If the back pressure values ​​when operating with the damper fully open in any speed range exceed 0.35 kg/cm3, this means that the exhaust system needs modification.

This is the desired method of checking the catalyst, however, in reality, welding the fittings is quite a murky business, so I did this:

I unscrewed the lambda, which is located in front of the catalyst, and inserted a pressure gauge through the adapter. (It is advisable to use a pressure gauge more accurately up to 1 kg/cm3). As an adapter, I used a rubber hose, which I adjusted to size with a knife (do not forget that tightness is important).

I measured it myself using a hose.

So:

We start the engine and look and take the pressure gauge readings (this is the back pressure at the exhaust). We put the assistant behind the wheel, he raises the speed to 3000, we take the readings.

The assistant again raises the speed, but this time to 5000, we take readings.

There is no need to overclock the engine! 5-7 seconds is quite enough. There is no need to use a pressure gauge measuring up to 3 kg/cm3, since it may not even feel the pressure. The maximum pressure gauge is 2kg/cm3, preferably 0.5.

(otherwise the error may be commensurate with the measurement value).

I used a pressure gauge that was not quite suitable, but the maximum was 0.5 kg/cm3, the maximum during an instant increase in revolutions from XX to 5000 (the pressure gauge jerked and fell to “0”). So this doesn't count.

In your mind, these two methods can be combined like this:

1) Unscrew the lambda located in front of the catalyst.

2) Instead of this lambda, screw in the fitting.

3) We screw a piece of brake pipe to the fitting (available with cap bolts).

4) We put a hose on the end of the tube and push it into the cabin.

5) Well, then, as in the first case.

On the other hand, we connect it to a pressure gauge, the measuring range of which is up to 1 kg/cm3. You need to make sure that the hose does not come into contact with parts of the exhaust system. Back pressure can be measured when accelerating the car with the throttle valve fully open.

The pressure is determined using a pressure gauge during acceleration, and as the speed increases, all values ​​are recorded. If the back pressure values ​​when operating with the damper fully open in any speed range exceed 0.35 kg/cm3, this means that the exhaust system needs modification.

6) Due to a non-functioning (unscrewed) lambda, the check will start to light, after the lambda is put in place, the check will go out.

7) The limit of 0.35 kg/cm3 is used for tuning cars, and for normal cars, in my opinion, the tolerance can be expanded to 0.5 kg/cm3.

If the diagnostics of the catalyst shows increased resistance to the passage of exhaust gases, then it is necessary to wash the catalyst; if washing is impossible, then the catalyst will have to be replaced; if replacement is not economically feasible, then we remove the catalyst.

PS for those who have read to the end and find the information worthwhile, please share. Not for the sake of self-interest, but for awareness =) I have been looking for some kind of manual for this diagnosis for a long time! And yes, whoever does this (has already done it) in our Rio - ALWAYS include a link in the comment! Knocking out the catalyst is not discussed here.

PS2.
I will add links on the topic of catalysts. Briefly and with pictures about replacing the catalyst with a flame arrester

Source: https://www.drive2.com/b/3239861/

How to check for a faulty catalytic converter

The task of the catalyst is to reduce emissions of harmful substances in the exhaust gases. It is installed on the exhaust system of all modern cars. The catalyst, like most car parts, has a service life of approximately 150 - 200 thousand kilometers, but low quality gasoline reduces its service life very quickly.

How do you know if the catalyst has failed? Of course, the first thing that should come on is the Check Engine light, and that error code will be P0420. If the error lights up, there is no need to panic, because you can try to clear it; a large variety of special fuel additives are now sold.

But this error does not always light up and if, for example, the situation is such that you want to purchase a car on the secondary market.

cross-section of the catalyst

Symptoms when the catalyst on a car is clogged

There are several characteristic signs of a clogged catalyst. The first is a reduction in maximum speed; if you have owned your car for a long time, you know it like the back of your hand. Since the catalyst does not clog immediately, but gradually, you should feel a lack of power at high speed.

Let’s say you used to easily reach a speed of 150 km/h in your car. Then, with the degree of contamination of the catalyst, it will be more difficult for your car to reach this speed, and over time this speed will drop to 120 km/h, then even to 90 km/h.

What does this mean? And the fact that at the exit from the engine, the exhaust gases rest against the clogged honeycombs of the catalyst and begin to return back to the engine, so-called anti-pressure is created. Of course, with this anti pressure the error should light up, but for one reason or another the error does not light up.

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The second indirect reason for catalyst failure is failures during acceleration, the so-called turbo lag effect. That is, when you sharply press the gas pedal, the engine delays and after a short period of time acceleration begins.

The third reason is increased fuel consumption. Trying to achieve the speed you need, you press the gas pedal, but the car simply does not move and you have to constantly keep the engine at high speeds. If your car shows these telltale signs of catalytic converter failure, then you need to start testing it.

clogged catalyst

Catalyst testing

The first way is, of course, to remove the catalyst and have a look.
If it is clogged, try cleaning it; if this is not possible, then it needs to be changed. The second way is to check the catalyst by measuring the anti pressure.

That is, without removing the catalyst, we unscrew the lambda probe and screw in the pressure gauge. A pressure gauge is required that measures pressure up to 1 kg/cm3. Even with a working catalyst, there is a slight anti-pressure, but its magnitude is not such a maximum. The permissible pressure is from 0.

35 to 0.5 kg/cm3, if the pressure exceeds these figures, then this tells us that your catalyst is already clogged.

catalyst check

How to check the catalyst yourself

There is a way to check the catalyst with your own hands, it may not be as accurate as measuring it with a pressure gauge, but anyone can do it. To do this, you need to start the car and at idle speed try to plug the exhaust pipe with your hand.

checking the catalyst by hand

During normal catalytic converter operation, you will not be able to hold the gases for more than five seconds. But if you manage to hold the exhaust gases with your hand for a long time, then this is a clear sign of failure of the catalyst.

Source: https://xn—-7sbgz2air6b.xn--p1ai/kak-proverit-neispravnost-katalizatora/

Checking the catalyst yourself + signs of a clogged catalyst

Removing the catalyst in our country is very popular among car enthusiasts. Some of them believe that the catalyst may fail at the wrong time.

According to others, the efficiency of the catalyst is seriously impaired due to the poor quality of our fuel, which leads to a drop in engine power.

No less common is the opinion that removing a clogged catalyst helps reduce fuel consumption. How to check if the catalyst is clogged?

In most cases, experts recommend checking the catalyst first and only then deciding whether to remove it.

Often, dismantling this element of the exhaust system can lead to an error, since the electronic engine control unit treats this as a breakdown. The problem can be solved by simply reflashing the ECU.

But first of all, you need to understand how to find out if the catalyst is clogged. It is very important to check it thoroughly. In our article we will also look at the main signs of a clogged catalyst.

Self-test methods

• The most affordable option is to remove the catalyst and carry out a visual inspection. In order to understand whether the honeycombs are clogged, it is necessary to use a light source. As a rule, removing the catalyst can be very difficult, since the fasteners stick quite strongly. The fact that all work is carried out under the car also adds extra hassle.
• You can also check the catalyst by determining the amount of harmful substances in the exhaust gases (one of the signs of a clogged catalyst is an increased content of harmful substances).
• Measuring the exhaust back pressure (if the catalyst is really clogged, the resistance will be very high, which also affects the pressure).

Autopub advises using all the above methods. Only in this case can you find out for sure whether the catalyst is clogged.

How to find out if the catalyst is clogged - the best way

We decided to consider a method of checking the catalyst using the current back pressure.

Some experts advise welding special fittings in front of the catalyst, with the help of which a certain amount of exhaust gases will be collected. It is advisable to use threaded fittings into which, after checking, you can screw plugs (it is recommended to make them from brass).

In order to measure the back pressure, you need to screw the brake tube into the fitting to dissipate excess heat (the length of the tube should be about 40-50 cm). A hose should be put on the other end of the tube and a pressure gauge should be connected to it with a measurement interval of up to 1 kg/cm3. During the procedure, the hose should not come into contact with elements of the vehicle exhaust system.

To obtain an accurate result, it is necessary to measure the pressure while the car is accelerating, and the throttle valve must be fully open. All indicators when increasing engine speed must be recorded. If the back pressure with the throttle open is above 0.35 kg/cm3 within a certain rpm range, your exhaust system needs improvement.

Although this option really allows you to check the catalyst as accurately as possible, in real conditions not every motorist can devote the time and money to weld the fittings. Therefore, another method can be used.

Checking using available tools

1. Unscrew the lambda probe installed in front of the catalyst and install a pressure gauge using the appropriate adapter. An ordinary hose can become an adapter, but complete tightness must be achieved.

2. Start the engine and record the readings of the device (you will find out the back pressure at the outlet).
3. Another person needs to rev the engine to 3000 rpm, and you need to record the pressure gauge readings.

   Then you need to raise the engine speed to 5000 rpm and record the received data again (4-7 seconds is enough).

There is another solution:

• Unscrew the lambda probe, which is located in front of the catalyst.
• Screw the fitting into its place.
• Connect the fitting to the brake pipe.
• Place a rubber hose on its end and insert it into the car interior.
• Do everything in the same sequence as in the first method, which we called optimal.

I would also like to note that when checking the catalyst, a maximum of 0.35 kg/cm3 is more relevant for cars with a modified engine. Many experts believe that for conventional models a result of up to 0.5 kg/cm3 is quite acceptable.

After you have seen that the pressure gauge readings are seriously different from optimal, you need to try to clean the catalyst and rinse it. If this cannot be done, the part is replaced. Since in many cases you have to pay a lot of money for a catalyst, a decision is often made to dismantle it.

Signs of a clogged catalyst

You can find out that the catalyst will soon have to be changed or simply thrown away using some signs.

Signs of a catalytic converter malfunction:

• deterioration of vehicle speed performance;
• drop in maximum speed;
• problems with starting the engine;
• presence of a strong odor of hydrogen sulfide.

Recognizing the symptoms of a clogged catalyst is not very difficult. Often motorists simply do not pay enough attention to this issue.

They simply press the accelerator pedal harder, while various chemical processes are already disrupted in the clogged catalyst.

There are only two main reasons for catalyst failure:

• destruction of the ceramic component or catalytic layer;
• contamination of honeycombs with soot or melting of the catalyst core made of ceramics.

If you notice even the minimal symptoms mentioned above, we advise you to check the catalyst, and it is better to do this as early as possible.

Often, car enthusiasts install a flame arrester instead of a catalyst. Are you also interested in this topic? Clicking on the link will help you understand all the intricacies of the process.

Source: http://avtopub.com/proverka-katalizatora-svoimi-rukami-priznaki-zabitogo-katalizatora/

How to check the catalyst - structure and causes of malfunctions

A catalytic converter system is used in a car to reduce the amount of waste that the car emits into the atmosphere during operation. As soon as this mechanism becomes faulty, the car owner has problems.

Catalyst structure

From the outside, the catalytic converter mechanism looks like an ordinary piece that is included in the exhaust system. The housing contains an element that provides catalysis. It is covered with an outer coating - a special layer of various metals. Mostly from the platinum category. This device has a clear cylindrical shape and a honeycomb-like structure.

The honeycombs are located close to each other, and due to the fact that there are many of them, good contact is ensured between the exhaust gases and the coating. This allows the exhaust to oxidize much better.

Due to the small diameter of the honeycombs, they become dirty very quickly. This is facilitated by a huge amount of bad oil and low-quality gasoline. Since the exhaust gases are not cleaned by the vehicle's proper system, it becomes harder for the vehicle to operate. That is why it is necessary to control this issue and stop all attempts at breakdowns.

Engine performance deteriorates significantly due to malfunctions, and some negative consequences appear. The chamber ceases to be properly purged, and the engine begins to lack fuel for full operation. Consequently, consumption increases. There is also an alternative option - the honeycombs simply melt.

However, the outcome still remains the same - consumption still increases.

Causes of malfunctions

In most cases, catalysts break either due to contamination of the honeycombs, or subsequently wear of the coating, the main task of which is to work with gases emanating from the exhaust port.

The question arises: why do these devices break down and how is the oxygen sensor involved in all this?
The catalyst element can serve for a very long time - up to 200,000 kilometers - this information is written in the instructions for use.

Despite this, many drivers are faced with the problem of breakdown much earlier. Signs of catalytic converter failure:

1. Some gas stations deliver poor quality fuel.
2. The oil is quickly consumed by the car, and a huge amount of unprocessed combustion products remains inside the device. Accelerated “destruction” of oil in most cases occurs either due to a breakdown of the machine’s turbine or due to damaged cylinder head.
3. The operation of the catalyst on a car also directly depends on the proper operation of the engine. Thus, if the ignition, power supply and distribution of gasoline throughout the system is malfunctioning, then problems with the catalyst may also arise.
4. Damage to the housing from a mechanical point of view, as well as temperature changes.

As an example, imagine this situation: the catalyst is operating at its standard warm temperature, and then a wave of very cold water hits the car. Of course, your device will not survive this.

However, there is no need to sound the alarm if you only filled with bad fuel once. Nothing will come of it. Problems can only appear with prolonged use of low-quality products.

How can you tell if your catalytic converter is faulty?

Some car owners do not pay attention to the breakdown of this device, because they think that it is needed solely to maintain the environment. This problem is very serious and should not be ignored under any circumstances.

During operation, the catalyst is used as an indicator of vehicle breakdowns. The reasons for catalytic converter failure exist for a reason.

That is why, when you detect instabilities in the operation of this element, you must understand that there is a possibility of a breakdown in some other device of the machine.
Consequences of a faulty catalytic element:

1. Fuel is consumed faster. Resistance to exhaust gases increases, and to combat them the driver will have to press the pedal harder. Accordingly, the car will require more fuel than usual. You will drive at the same speed and dynamics as always, but it will use fuel faster.
2. The exhaust system heats up suddenly. The exhaust gases stop at a point ahead of the catalyst for some time. This is bad, because with a properly functioning apparatus they are sent to the catalyst department instantly. As a result, the car's engine suffers damage, since the difference between the temperatures of different parts of the car is quite wide.

Signs of catalyst errors

Signs of catalyst errors, what could be wrong with the car? In most situations, you can determine if the catalyst system is faulty by paying attention to how the car drives. Symptoms of a faulty catalyst are as follows:

1. Acceleration takes longer, and speed acceleration decreases. A clogged device does not allow the engine to reach the required number of revolutions, and, consequently, power also decreases. Even if you press the gas pedal sharply, no sudden action will follow. The car will not accelerate instantly.
2. Gasoline consumption increases abnormally.
3. You smell an unpleasant odor from the exhaust pipe.

However, there may not be too obvious signs.
The car will still start without any problems. If you do not refuel only at proven gas stations, use low-quality oil, and ignore the above symptoms, then you can be 90 percent sure that your catalyst device is faulty.

Check Engine is the best way to determine if your catalytic converter is faulty. If this icon lights up on the dashboard of your car, this is the most important indicator of a faulty element. The main reasons why these devices float cause the appearance of such an icon.

It must be remembered that the appearance of this icon is possible only on those cars where there are two lambda probes in the exhaust system itself. The first such probe is installed in front of the catalysis system. Its main task is to regulate the fuel system in terms of gasoline supply, as well as ignition. In addition, its proper functioning affects consumption.

How can you tell if your catalytic converter is faulty?
You just need to check how much gasoline is consumed per 100 kilometers and compare it with previous figures. The second probe is used to check the catalyst.

It is he who determines whether the catalyst is clogged. Thus, the icon will appear if one of the wires is deformed.

Subsequently, you will hear the sound of a faulty car catalyst (the car will make noise like a tractor).

Catalyst diagnostics

If you have a question about how to check the operation of the catalyst on a car, then we will tell you about it. To determine a breakdown, auto mechanics use some methodology. So, how to check the performance of the catalyst? In order to find out which specific cells were clogged, you need to do the following manipulations:

• Start the engine. Try to achieve maximum speed when operating. While the engine reaches minimum, medium and high speeds, try to press the gas pedal sharply. If the engine responds immediately to your actions, then everything is functioning normally. If the engine does not react immediately, but after a few seconds, or the number of revolutions does not exceed 5 thousand revolutions, then you need to contact a service station. Most likely, this part will need to be replaced.
• The next way to check the catalyst is to put your hand on the exhaust pipe. Exhaust gases move impulsively. Having done this action, you will be able to feel how the cylinders take turns releasing exhaust gases from the exhaust. At idle, the exhaust flow should also be impulsive. If you feel a smooth movement, then your device is clogged with waste.

In addition, you can cooperate with your assistant and tell him to start the engine, increase the engine speed, and immediately turn it off. Once the engine is stopped, you will be able to see contaminated gases slowly escaping from the exhaust port to confirm your suspicions about the problem.

Visual inspection method

Self-check can be carried out visually. You can manually remove part of the exhaust pipe along with the catalyst. You will need a flashlight. Take it and try to illuminate the entire component. This way you can easily identify clogged cells.

If you have the idea that the catalyst is not working not because of increased fuel consumption, but because of the “Check Engine” sign, then you are unlikely to find the cause of the problem on your own. You will have to contact specialists in this field.

From a visual point of view, everything may be normal, but the functions of the device may not be performed precisely because of problems in the inner shell. In order to save your financial situation and car from troubles in time, we advise you to use these methods of checking the catalyst. This will not be superfluous, but in the future you will be able to save a lot of money.

Back pressure test method

The catalytic system can also be checked using a specialized device - a pressure gauge. In this case, instead of a lambda probe, a pressure gauge is inserted into the housing (remember that it must be inserted before the catalyst).

All these manipulations are performed through a special adapter.

To begin the test itself, you will need to start the engine of your car. Each engine operating mode must function normally, and the pressure range must be no less than 2.0 - 3.0 kPa.

If you do not want to deal with this issue yourself, then you need to take your car to the appropriate service station.

Instead of a spark plug, service specialists insert a specialized sensor, which shows them all the necessary information - this method is called “checking with a motor tester”. Now we will tell you more about it.

Motor tester diagnostic method

An engine tester is a set of various pieces of equipment, with the help of which specialists calculate various breakdowns inside the car. Data analysis is performed on the basis of a so-called oscillogram. When conducting such an analysis, the spark plug is removed and a device is installed in its place to identify problems.

After this, all the readings are analyzed, and you receive a verdict on your problems and further advice on how to fix them.

It is worth understanding that you will not be able to check the exhaust at home, since you will not have sufficient equipment, as well as money to purchase specialized software, which actually shows this very data.

Important note: service your vehicle only at authorized service centers. Otherwise, you may lose money and even some parts of your car. Unofficial service stations may employ unscrupulous people who can steal your part and replace it with a cheaper one.

Is it possible to restore the catalyst?

If the catalyst is simply contaminated with soot, then the car owner still has the opportunity to clean it. Despite this, you will still need to resolve this issue promptly. There are a number of severe consequences for the car: it may either not start at all in the future, or it may start but immediately stall.

There are situations when, due to improper operation of the catalyst element, the bobbin melts. Restoring it is impossible under any circumstances - you can only buy a new one.

Another serious “disease” of this element is its deformation. Damaged particles can make the exhaust difficult to pass through, leading to serious problems.

Source: https://djago.ru/dvigatel/neispravnosti-katalizatora-i-metody-diagnostiki/

Catalyst malfunction: signs and testing methods

The catalytic converter in a car plays an important role in the exhaust system. Its purpose is to clean exhaust gases before they enter the atmosphere, and to reduce resistance to their release. A faulty catalytic converter will result in a loss of vehicle power.

Your car will no longer drive fast, and fuel consumption will increase. In addition, the Check Engine . Naturally, these symptoms do not guarantee that the catalyst is faulty.

Therefore, in this article, we will analyze what are the symptoms and signs of a catalyst malfunction.

Signs of catalytic converter failure

Car won't start

Your car simply won't start or stalls immediately. This happens due to a clogged catalyst. In this case, replacement will be necessary.

Significant loss of vehicle power

If the catalyst is faulty , your car will have difficulty gaining speed. It will feel like something is holding the car from behind. This symptom will become more and more noticeable as the catalyst becomes dirty or damaged.

Check Engine

The Check Engine light is on . Another sign that signals a possible failure of the catalyst. The ECU will turn on this light when the catalyst is too clogged. The error code is P0420 , but it never exactly indicates a breakdown of the catalyst.

High fuel consumption

Another and more common symptom is a sudden increase in fuel consumption . A clogged catalyst leads to increased fuel consumption. It is worth keeping in mind that this symptom of a catalyst failure is only when your car has a problem with power, the car has difficulty picking up speed.

Symptoms of a faulty Opel catalyst:

How to check the catalyst for malfunction

You can diagnose the catalyst yourself; for this you need to have the proper knowledge and special equipment. For a more accurate check, we recommend contacting a specialized car service center, where there are specialists with the necessary skills and equipment.

Let's look at 3 main ways to check for a catalyst malfunction.

Visual inspection

In this case, he looks around from the outside. The presence of mechanical damage and deformations can cause damage to the honeycomb inside. However, it is impossible to find out exactly whether the honeycomb is damaged from the outside; to do this, it must be dismantled.

The catalyst can also be dismantled and checked for clearance. Whole cells speak of a working catalyst . However, this cannot be done for all cars; the design may differ.

Backpressure check

An effective way to check the catalyst is to determine the back pressure in the exhaust manifold. Diagnostics is carried out by measuring the car's exhaust pressure and then comparing it with normal. Here you will need a pressure gauge.

The first step is to remove the lambda probe and connect a pressure gauge to it. The main thing is to connect it so that it is airtight. After starting the car, increase the engine speed to 2.5-3 thousand and hold for 10 seconds. The pressure according to the pressure gauge should not be higher than 0.3 kgf/cm2 . If it is higher, then the catalyst is clogged.

Diagnostics with a motor tester

For this check, you will need special equipment that allows you to find out the state of many elements and components of the car based on an oscillogram. This equipment is installed in place of the spark plug, and readings are taken with the engine running.

However, diagnosing problems with the catalyst is quite problematic when the car has already stopped starting or immediately stalls. Various equipment and scanners will no longer show an error regarding the breakdown of the catalyst. In this case, you can accurately understand whether the catalyst is working properly only by dismantling it, or by unscrewing the oxygen sensor in front of the catalyst and try to start the engine.

Causes of catalyst malfunction

Problems with the ignition system can lead to breakdown of the catalyst . This occurs in VAZ and FORD cars.

Incorrectly set ignition and misfires lead to the fact that the fuel does not burn completely, which ultimately forms a large amount of soot. What clogs the catalyst.

In this case, it can still be cleaned. It is much worse when the reel melts.

Poor quality fuel can also cause catalyst failure. The fuel simply does not burn completely and continues to burn out in the manifold or in the catalyst. Because of this, the catalyst elements begin to melt. After which the particles get stuck in it, clogging it, preventing the passage of air.

Poor quality or non-original catalyst . When purchasing a non-original model, you may end up with one in which the cell diameter is too small.

As a result, it will clog faster. This is often observed in American cars.

The quality of the fuel there is much better than in Russia, and accordingly there are fewer combustion products left, which is why the honeycombs of such catalysts are small.

Problems with the engine can also lead to catalytic converter failure. As a result of problems with the engine, an increased flow of combustion products clogs the catalyst faster. In addition, a prematurely clogged catalyst may indicate a problem with the engine, this is also worth keeping in mind.

As a result of mechanical damage to the catalyst (impact on it), the honeycombs may be damaged. Deformation of the honeycomb will cause the above-described symptoms of a car catalyst malfunction.

In conclusion…

In modern cars, the ECU system is more thought out, and many points are taken into account. And it will tell you if there is a catalyst malfunction . The best solution is to replace it. Do not delay in fixing problems with the catalyst, so you can avoid costly engine repairs in the future.

Source: https://carrepair7.ru/neispravnost-katalizatora