Catalytic Converter Gone Bad?
An inefficiently operating catalytic converter can trigger the check engine light. Does it mean my car needs a new catalytic converter? Not necessarily, it might be asking for some attention. In any case, read this article and learn how BG can help you.
Illustration of A Catalytic Converter
The Catalytic Converter is an exhaust after-treatment device. It is designed to convert harmful pollutants into a less a harmful form. In goes incomplete combustion by-products, such as Carbon Monoxide (CO) and unburned fuel as hydrocarbons (HC) and from a healthy catalytic converter's other end comes water (H20), Carbon Dioxide (CO2) and Dinitrogen (N2).
Why Does A Catalytic Converter Fail?
The "check engine" light and particularly error code P0420 indicates that your vehicle catalytic converter is not operating efficiently; in other words, it can't handle the number of harmful substances it is being exposed to.
Modern vehicles, especially their computers, adjust power and torque according to the information they receive from exhaust after-treatment devices like the catalytic converter.
A catalytic converter often fails because the catalyst surfaces are unable to interact and convert harmful exhaust gases. This failure is often due to incomplete combustion, meaning: less than optimum combustion—a too rich or too lean mixture of fuel and air.
Part of your engine oil will evaporate and make it past combustion and into a catalytic converter. Too much engine oil in your catalytic converter will eventually poison catalyst surfaces, and it will then fail to reduce your emissions.
Is There A Quick Cure For Catalytic Converter Failure?
Maybe, but it all depends on the severity of catalytic poisoning. The good news is that diagnosing a catalytic converter failure has never been easier. BG 44K® Platinum® is a super effective fuel system cleaner that can quickly and effectively lower CO and HC emissions. Tip: It is also a very cheap diagnostic tool to determine the next steps.
Pour BG 44K® Platinum into the fuel tank and take the car for a 10-minute spin. A good clear-out run will lower emissions if the catalytic converter is coated with mild oil and fuel deposits.
Is There A Way To Prevent Catalytic Converter Failure?
With optimal conditions, a catalytic converter should last for many years and hundreds of thousands of kilometres. With good maintenance, you will probably never have to change it during your ownership.
Oil Residues Contaminate The Catalytic Converter
Evaporating engine oil will find its way to the catalytic converter. Heavy oil deposits will not burn off effectively and may overheat the catalytic converter.
Excessive oil evaporation can be controlled by cleaning piston rings with BG EPR® and assisting engine oil with BG Advanced Formula MOA® and BG DOC Diesel Engine Oil Conditioner.
Fuel Residues Will Hamper Catalytic Converter Operation
Maintaining optimal fuel burn is a critical part of the health of your vehicles emission system. Modern fuel systems operate with extremely high pressures and ultra-fine fuel sprays to achieve the best possible fuel economy.
No worries, the catalytic converter will convert some unburned fuel into less harmful gases. You don’t want the combination of fuel and oil vapours travelling in excessive amounts to a catalytic converter.
An internally clean engine will use fuel more efficiently and put less strain on the catalytic converter.
BG Performance Service Is The Ultimate Protection For Catalytic Converters
The BG Performance Service is a quick and effective three-part service designed to clean & keep your engine deposit free with new like performance.
Engine cleaning with BG EPR® Engine Performance Restoration® softens and dissolves hard-to-remove deposits from piston rings in as little as 10 minutes! Properly sealed combustion chambers improve compression and reduce oil dilution through blow-by. BG EPR® will help control excessive oil evaporation and prolong your catalytic converter life.
Boosting engine oil with BG Advanced Formula MOA® or BG DOC® Diesel Oil Conditioner will protect engine components and fortify all brands of engine oils for up to 15,000 km. Less evaporation and better stability will help protect your catalytic converter.
BG Platinum® 44K® or BG 245 Premium Diesel Fuel System Cleaner are powerful fuel system cleaners for modern direct injection fuel delivery and combustion systems. They will clean the entire fuel system, including fuel injectors, intake valves, ports, fuel filters and combustion chambers. The fun part is the quick reduction of emissions; such as unburned fuel (HC) and the silent killer Carbon Monoxide (CO).
Lowering Emissions Will Save Money
It is a shame that Australia does not require regular emission testing as part of registration inspections. It would potentially save you a lot of trouble and money.
Making sure your vehicle is internally clean will keep your tailpipe emissions lower and save money with emission system failures. Your Cat will thank you.
-Taneli Piirala
National Sales Manager BG Australia
BG Products Inc.
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